| Author |
Message |
    
Keithinatlanta
Intermediate Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 490
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 10:36 pm: | 
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Hi guys. I will be looking at putting a radio and antenna on a tractor for a friend. This is not plowing the back forty tractor, but pushing the earth around kind of tractor. Any words of wisdom? anyone ever installed radio in one before? This is aircondition cab, only potential problem I see will be antenna. Will see the tractor tomorrow afternoon and give better idea of what kind of heavy equipment this is then. Will keep you posted. Thanks.
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150 |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4973
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 9:48 am: |
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Keith,
I guess the main question would be is it a 12 volt system or a 24 volt system?
After you see it you can give us some more information on it like is the cab metal or fiberglass.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Mdiver
Intermediate Member
Username: Mdiver
Post Number: 223
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:47 am: |
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Your right Lon 12 volt or 24 volt, and Keith if there is a dome light on the inside or a cigarett plug in the rig both may be 24 volt. Depending on how old the rig is and what type your talking about almost all heavy equipment that had a inclosed cab had a place for a antenna.
Steve-CEF 252
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Keithinatlanta
Intermediate Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 491
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 1:12 pm: |
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Hey Steve. Hopefully, I will see this tractor or bulldozer or whatever it is this afternoon. I will find out if it is 12 or 24 volt. Now if it is 24 volt, I will definately need guidance from everyone, as I have never done any installations with a 24 volt system. It would be nice to see a antenna location already on the equipment. thanks guys.
Keith in Atlanta |
Keithinatlanta
Intermediate Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 493
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 5:38 pm: |
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Ok guys: Cat diesel bulldozer. totally enclosed cab, 24 volt system. However, it has a stereo cassette installed for twelve volt. Previous owner had cb hooked up through the converter that is used for the stereo. I can tie my power cord into that. Antenna will be mounted outside on side of tractor on a hand rail. Same location that previous owner had one. I will use mirror mount like what you see on so many 18 wheelers, with a Wilson antenna. Antenna has tuning tip at top to raise or lower for swr's. Any thoughts regarding the 12/24 volt issue? Thanks. I will be installing this tomorrow if I don't get rained out.
Keith |
Mdiver
Intermediate Member
Username: Mdiver
Post Number: 224
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 6:46 pm: |
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Sounds good Keith--Regarding the Antenna mouting on the hand held with the mirror mount that will work fine as long when the Dozer is being transported it may have to be taken off or when working in areas with low hanging tree's.
. I myself use a cheap radshak mag mount because kids seem to like takeing them.
.Place the cb where it can be covered because even while the cab can be locked there's idiots that will break in buy smashing windows to steal a $60.00 cb radio..
Regarding a conversion from 24-volts to 12 volts you can get one from a GOOD auto parts store a 24-volt to 12 volt--the one I have is called Voltdrop about $25.00.. but just running a wire to one of thoes two big 12 volt batteries is cheaper.
Nothing better than while working (in my case running a
Cat-D-10 Dozer and have a cb) thinking about putting a kicker in-hehe..
Steve-CEF-252
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Coyote
Intermediate Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 110
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 8:56 pm: |
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A lot if not all 24 volt systems only use 24 volt for starting. It takes a huge starter motor to turn that monster Cat engine. The rest of the electrics are usually 12 volt, ie lights, gauges, etc... all you really need to do is use a VOM and test the circuit. If it read's 12 volt your in business. Should be a fairly easy install. I trained in diesel repair and have worked on and operated Dozier's, Front Loaders, Concrete Pumps, School Buses.... etc... and all of them had 24 volt starting systems and 12 volt electrics everywhere else. Its been quite a while since I did though. I suppose things might have changed.. but doubtful. There are a couple of truck drivers on the forum somewhere I think, maybe one of them can shed some "light" on this. No pun intended.  |
Mdiver
Intermediate Member
Username: Mdiver
Post Number: 226
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:44 pm: |
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Coyote-- You stated-(The rest of the electrics are usually 12 volt, ie lights, gauges, etc.)..WRONG Cat-- Ran with ONE thing 24 volts even the cigarett lighter plug in and the dome lights ARE ALL 24 volts
Catapillar has been changing thank god on this,,due to our G.P.S. and Laser and and other hight Teck attachments in our cabs. Things have been changing Cat has now got 12 volt to the newer cabs.
You stated-Concrete Pumps, School Buses.... etc... and all of them had 24 volt starting systems and 12 volt electrics everywhere else.yes your talking about TRUCKS
The Post was about Tractor's Bulldozers CAT.
---You stated-(things might have changed but doubtful )
Your GREAT on radios and tech stuff and Im not..catch you on the Sunday net.
Steve CEF252
38 years running CAT""""S
I post what I no and thats IT.
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Coyote
Intermediate Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 112
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 11:19 pm: |
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I stand corrected. |
Keithinatlanta
Intermediate Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 494
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 9:42 am: |
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Good morning guys. Thanks for all the input. Yes it is a 24 volt system. But the owner has a radio/cassette installed and I am going to use the same place to tie in my wiring. He had a cb installed in it when he had it, so don't know why I can't use same wiring. Yes it has been converted to 112 volt for that radio. I was hoping it was 12 volt, but the new owner even commented that everything was 24 volt on lighter plug etc, everything but where the radio/cassette is. Obviously they did a conversion right there. Thanks again.
Keith in Atlanta |
Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 704
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:04 am: |
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Keith the other option is get a dial a volt, hook it up to 24 volt, and turn it down to about 18 volt, and have a screamin radio!!
RIch |
Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 121
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 11:52 am: |
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I know linears can but can you really go up to 18 volts on a radio safely? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4991
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 12:01 pm: |
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Hotwire,
This is something that I would personally NOT suggest anyone doing.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 706
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 10:20 am: |
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I personally dont volt my radio, although I know people that do, but you could run the radio off the adapted line and the linear off the other line.
Rich |
