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Can You Power A CB Radio with a Computer Power supply?

Posted: Wednesday 2nd Apr 2008, 6:03
by jo3yp
Hello All,

My 12v power adapter for my cb radio has broken! Ive been told that you can power the unit with a computer power supply which is obviously 12v output. Is this true because im not sure about the AC/DC and i dont want to blow my rig up!! thanks joe

Posted: Wednesday 2nd Apr 2008, 15:01
by booger351
As long as it is 12v DC it should work, the other thing pay attention to is the amp rating, depending on what type of radio you are running, you would probably need at least 3 or 4 amps for a stock radio, and closer to 10 amps for a higher end ssb radio.
If you hook it up and the lights in the radio dim way down when you key down and talk you need a higher amp rated power source.

computer psu

Posted: Friday 18th Apr 2008, 6:06
by warhorse
yup i have 1 here used to run a kenwood ts50s off it 100 watts no ripple, get 1 rated at least 10 amps ATX is no good, But the old 386-486 AT sups work ok. so yes the mod can be done. the voltage runs well within 12-14 volts even runing say 100watts.

switchmode psu

Posted: Wednesday 25th Jun 2008, 17:53
by warhorse
found this on me travs worth a look.

http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ ... supply.htm

power supply

Posted: Monday 30th Jun 2008, 14:05
by johhn
Also go to Buy Reilant .com , 12volt power supply.
$47.99 15 amp Pyramid supply PS 14 KX. :P

Posted: Sunday 20th Jul 2008, 15:52
by zeppfrog
look at my post on the cheapskates power supply, and i get good results from at and atx. there is a link there as well to a nice mod for your pc power supply, but if you are lazy, tap it into the yellow and black on one of the drive connections and turn on the pc... (if you remove it, you need to preload it with either a 10 ohm 10 watt sandbar resistor, or use a parking or signal light on the 5v (red) and ground wires)