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Message |
    
Therealporkchop
Junior Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 35
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 2:08 pm: | 
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I was wondering how big of a amp can I run in my 2004 Sterling dumptruck without harming my ABS computer or any other onboard computer system? I'm currently running a Texas Star 350 and somtimes when I key up, with the truck off, while setting/checking my SWR, I notice my trailer ABS and tractor ABS lights dimmly lighting up in my dash. I also sometimes see my PTO light come on dimmly. Usually though, when the truck is running, I don't see this happen. I don't have a trailer so I don't care about that ABS system, but my tractor ABS concerns me. I was thinking of the 667v or maybe something bigger. I don't want to fry any computer on my truck and I don't really want to burn up any alternators etc. The truck is under warranty, but I hate to start having these problems after only 5 weeks in the truck.
Thanks!! |
Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 97
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 3:08 pm: |
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Therealporkchop
There's only about a 1/2 S-Unit difference on the receiving end between a 350 and a 667. You generally have to double your RF power output just to come up a 1/2 S-Unit on someones S-Meter.
If you are flickering lights in your dash or any clearence lights, that tells me that you may possibily have a poor ground somewhere. And if your lights are seeing it, chances are that your on-board computor is also.
If you blow your computor with some heavy RF, I'm guessing you're going to be spending some big bucks replacing it. Make sure everything is grounded well. Especially your antenna system. Hopefully you're not playing with some ungrounded mag mount.
You might want to check with Lon. When it comes to big trucks and antenna systems, he knows what he's talking about. And he'll also tell you that a completely grounded system is a must. Especially when playing with RF amplifiers.
Jeff. |
Therealporkchop
Junior Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 37
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 2:48 pm: |
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That is exactly the type of antenna I am using. I was thinking of soldering a wire to a small sheet metal plate and placing it between the antenna and the mag mount. Think this will help the mag mount's ground? |
Bullet
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullet
Post Number: 342
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 3:48 am: |
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id use a body mount and get away from the magnet all together!
youll notice a quiter noise level and youll most likly tx better as well at least this is how it worked on my truck.
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Supertech1
New member
Username: Supertech1
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 12:40 am: |
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along w/body mount ant.-also ground radio and amp to truck frame w/shortest possible copper braid or thick wire. |
