CB blowing fuses

I posted this in the other tech section as well but wasn't getting any responses so I decided to turn to the trusty NW chapter for some help... :eeks1:

I was digging around in the garage the other day and ran across one of my dad's old CB's. So I decided I would install it in my Jeep just so I had one. I ended up deciding to wire the CB to a cigarette lighter plug that way I can switch it between my tow rig and my Jeep. I got it all wired together and replaced the two inline fuses with 2A fuses. As soon as I plug the cigarette plug into the lighter it blows the fuse for the main power. The first time I figured I may have been a little careless with the wires and hit it against something causing the fuse to break. However, I replaced the fuse with a new one and the same thing happened again. What would be causing this? The fuse that controls the channel saver and backlight does not break. It is just the main unit power. Maybe it's the wrong fuse? The CB is a Cobra 21 Plus. Anyone have any ideas?

Go online and find a manual for it. Also, the fuse you are using, may infact be to low of amperage....

Ya, I wasn't sure if it was the right fuse but it was the same as the one that I took out when I found it. I tried searching for a manual for it a while back but I will look harder right now....

doesn't the cig put out alot of power ? maybe it's just to much power in combo with the cig lighter ? try just tapping into the radio fuse. thats always worked for me.

Cobra said wiring it the way I did was alright. I am wanting it to be powered through the cig because then I can transfer it between my tow rig and my Jeep.

First the 21X is pretty out of date (and concidered a antique now). Prolly the reason you found it in the garage, was broken then. 2 amp fuse is what you want and if it is blowing it many diffrent things could be the problem. Obviously it has a short but knowing where would be the chore for the one who gets to open it. It could very well be that the circuit board has been growing and just shorted it self out over time. Thats the problem with letting electronics sit for a while. I know this really didnt help out but really buying even a small Cobra, Uniden or Midland would be yer best bet on getting something to work.

ethernet said:

Cobra said wiring it the way I did was alright. I am wanting it to be powered through the cig because then I can transfer it between my tow rig and my Jeep.

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Did you fix it? If the CB is shorted internally open it up and look for one of the components that has a little bit of smoke around it, or smoke mark. If you don't see any.. hard wire it with no fuse.. and see where the smoke comes from. Probably an old Mosfet or Transistor has shorted.

I always run power/ground leads for radio equipment straight to the battery. Less chances for resistance that way. I'd say pull it out and see if its popping fuses directly at the battery to eliminate anything in your vehicle as a possibility for the problem.

WheelinJR said:

I always run power/ground leads for radio equipment straight to the battery. Less chances for resistance that way.

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X2
Michael

PornstaR said:

First the 21X is pretty out of date (and concidered a antique now). Prolly the reason you found it in the garage, was broken then. 2 amp fuse is what you want and if it is blowing it many diffrent things could be the problem. Obviously it has a short but knowing where would be the chore for the one who gets to open it. It could very well be that the circuit board has been growing and just shorted it self out over time. Thats the problem with letting electronics sit for a while. I know this really didnt help out but really buying even a small Cobra, Uniden or Midland would be yer best bet on getting something to work.

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:twak: old electronics........... what do you expect.

WheelinJR said:

I always run power/ground leads for radio equipment straight to the battery. Less chances for resistance that way.:laugh: .

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What does your jeep do when it resists? Stage a lock out?:laugh:

GlueNTape said:

What does your jeep do when it resists? Stage a lock out?:laugh:

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Maybe it throws a fit and doesn`t want to play:rof:

GlueNTape said:

What does your jeep do when it resists? Stage a lock out?:laugh:

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