Why does it do this (electrical)?
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CF Beginner
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 29
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From: Oregon Coast
Why does it do this (electrical)?
Hello folks, I hope all is going well out there for you.
Quick question regarding an electrical situation on my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
I am an amateur radio operator. I have installed a Kenwood TM-281A transceiver in my pickup. For power, I ran a wire straight from the battery interconnect box (the red plastic box, I know it has an official name but I cannot recall what it is), adjacent to the alternator (the red plastic battery intertie box is mounted to the alternator bracket). That 10 gauge wire is running directly to the radio.
The radio works perfectly, as expected, as long as the truck is running. When the pickup is powered off, it will allow for two short transmissions and then the radio no longer has the power needed to transmit, or so it acts (it refuses to transmit and powers itself down while I attempt to do so). This would indicate a battery issue (voltage?) to me, yet the battery starts the truck right up without any issue whatsoever, the pickup starts normally. I can also run the blower fan, AM/FM, light up headlamps, etc. without issue. There is no way my Kenwood takes nearly as much current to operate as the engine starter. SO, I suspect there is something else going on.
Do any of you have any thoughts on this? Thanks for your time and have a great day!
Quick question regarding an electrical situation on my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
I am an amateur radio operator. I have installed a Kenwood TM-281A transceiver in my pickup. For power, I ran a wire straight from the battery interconnect box (the red plastic box, I know it has an official name but I cannot recall what it is), adjacent to the alternator (the red plastic battery intertie box is mounted to the alternator bracket). That 10 gauge wire is running directly to the radio.
The radio works perfectly, as expected, as long as the truck is running. When the pickup is powered off, it will allow for two short transmissions and then the radio no longer has the power needed to transmit, or so it acts (it refuses to transmit and powers itself down while I attempt to do so). This would indicate a battery issue (voltage?) to me, yet the battery starts the truck right up without any issue whatsoever, the pickup starts normally. I can also run the blower fan, AM/FM, light up headlamps, etc. without issue. There is no way my Kenwood takes nearly as much current to operate as the engine starter. SO, I suspect there is something else going on.
Do any of you have any thoughts on this? Thanks for your time and have a great day!
CF Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 584
Likes: 122
From: Maryland
Run both power and ground wires to the battery and make sure the leads are fused. That should solve your problem.
If you are unsure of how to connect the wiring directly to the battery, get a couple of these:
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...der/296092_0_0
And pick up some 10 gauge ring terminals that fit the bolts,
For fusing the power leads, I use one of these:
https://powerwerx.com/ring-terminal-...fuses-10-gauge
BTW, I too am an Amateur Radio Operator.
73
If you are unsure of how to connect the wiring directly to the battery, get a couple of these:
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...der/296092_0_0
And pick up some 10 gauge ring terminals that fit the bolts,
For fusing the power leads, I use one of these:
https://powerwerx.com/ring-terminal-...fuses-10-gauge
BTW, I too am an Amateur Radio Operator.
73
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bigherm00
Silverado, Sierra & Fullsize Pick-ups
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May 21, 2009 8:15 PM