HF Portable

[J Goertzen]

Howdy Folks. This must be one of my slower projects. I have a Icom 725 HF rig. Got alot of good information about how to hook up for ant and ground in the AS last year, but, still uncertain about power source. I will be boon docking, solar was installed yesterday for the AS. The Icom 725 rates at 100 watts. Is there a way to use the "cigarete" lighter" normaly used for a 12 volt TV as the power sourse? Seems to me 100 watts is not much, and then I avoid having to bring the power supply, wouldn't have AC as a power source anyway with boon docking. Has anyone done anything like this? My AS is a 2003 CCD, 22'. Thanks again, Jim

[RUSSELL]

I do not understand is your solar panels put out 100w or does your tv uses 100w?
The solar panels job is to charge your batteries only. The batteries supply the 12 volts to the trailer.
Another question is will the tv be on at all time 24 seven? If so you will need a small Honda generator 750 w to supliment your use of power and charge your batteries. Regards from Russell in sunny and Warm Tucson Az.

[J Goertzen]

Hi Russell, The Icom 725 rig is rated at 100 watts. My solar panels charge the battery for the AS. I don't even have a television (TV), its that the cigarete lighter is generaly used to plug in a 12volt TV. I would like to use the cigarete lighter to power source my ham radio, the Icom 725. My solar panels are rated at 80 watts by the way. Thanks Jim, KB6OIN,73

[L&C Woogie]

Howdy,
Twere it me, I'd hookup up directly to the trailer battery and let the system(s) keep it up to snuff. Much like you'd do in your car/truck. You'd have to monitor the battery output as the HF output would deteriorate as the battery discharged. Or, preferrably, bring along a dedicated battery and keep it topped off with generator or battery charger when hooked up to umbilical.
I've got a battery system at home which powers the HF/VHF units but is charged from ac. Got a Powergate PG405 which does the switching between 12v power supply and battery and keeps the battery 'smart' charged. Could do something similar in trailer with Powergate/power supply and separate battery. Then, only question is where to put battery and power supply. Hmmmmmm.
73,
Loren

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by J Goertzen

Hi Russell, The Icom 725 rig is rated at 100 watts. My solar panels charge the battery for the AS. I don't even have a television (TV), its that the cigarete lighter is generaly used to plug in a 12volt TV. I would like to use the cigarete lighter to power source my ham radio, the Icom 725. My solar panels are rated at 80 watts by the way. Thanks Jim, KB6OIN,73

The Icom 725 is 100w SSB/CW/FM; 40w AM, you have to go directly to the battery and fuse both leads, use heavy wire leads(Can be found on ebay). The Icom 725 is listed at a 20 amp drain at 13.8 volts, forget your cigarette lighter unless you want to light your cigar with the leads to the radio.

Here are the specs on the rig.
RigPix Database - Icom - IC-725

Here is the installation manual, the radio has to be fused at 20 amps. See page 5 and 6.
http://www.rigpix.com/icom/ic725_manual.pdf

Treat the trailer like it is a car. You should have a better ground than a car when you are parked with the jack and stabilizers down.

73