Wiring CB

[firecadet613]

Well I just got a CB.  I want to have it hard wired to the truck so when I turn the truck on the CB goes on, just like my 10 disc changer does now.  Only problem is I have a very limited electrical system knowledge.  The truck is a 95 Blazer.

 

Any advice/help/tips welcome.

 

Joe

[silverado man]

if you have any extra slots in your fuse box it should work out well that's how i did mine in my old car that way.  dont know if it anything the same as your blazer.   hope this helps out some.

[firecadet613]

I believe I do have a few extra fuses.

 

Joe

[CMNTMXR81]

Grab a multimeter

 

Go into your fuse box and find the empty fuse slots that register 0 volts with the ignition off.  Keep in mind, only one side of a fuse slot is hot, so you'll need to measure both slots to verify.  Disregard those that have a constant 12-14 volt reading with the ignition off.  Now turn the ignition on and re-measure those that were 0 with ignition off, but are now registering 12-14 volts.  This is your switchable hot and this is what you can use as the hot for the CB.

 

From there, I'd go down to your local hardware or automotive store and pick up some electrical connections with male spades in it, then grind down a male spade about halfway in order to fit into the smaller fuse slot and voila!  Now you just need to find a ground.  

[firecadet613]

I followed you up to Grab a Multimeter.  Can anyone else see a small GMTC meet to install a CB?  I think I gotta run out and get the proper size bolts to mount it shortly.

 

Joe

[CMNTMXR81]

Ahhh, it's not that hard dude!  

 

You just need to find a switchable hot.

[firecadet613]

Well I think I can find a fuse after I get a multimeter.  I have no idea whatsoever what a male spade is though.

 

Joe

[silverado man]

either this

or this and cut one of the legs off.

[CMNTMXR81]

What he said!  

 

I didn't know they made little ones now.

[firecadet613]

Just got back from RadioShack...again.  I pick up a soldering gun, some solder, and "Blade-Type Fuse Taps"  Now I have to try and figure this all out!  Where do I put a ground?  The CB has two wires, a red and black that feed into a Cigarrette lighter plug.  What does the Red & Black mean?  I am removing them from the adapter.

 

Joe

[firecadet613]

I am either going to use the empty DRL or Fog lamp fuse block, I have to check and see if they get power when the key is on and none when the key is off.

 

Joe

[silverado man]

red is your hot wire that you want to connect to the fuse box and the black one is your ground.

just find a screw the is attached to the chassis. there should be one that the ashtray attaches to.

[firecadet613]

Well I finished installing it.  I ended up mounting it on the passenger side of the center console.  I ran all wires, power and antenna, under the console.  For ground I used a screw that I found behind the ashtray.  The antenna I have is a glass mount, on the back left glass.  The wiring runs in the drivers side wire trays.  Any questions ask, I will try and get some pics up soon, thanks Lane and silvy man for all your help!

 

Joe

[silverado man]

glad that we could help.  see it wasnt so bad now was it.  

[cdnav8r]

<snip>I will try and get some pics up soon,</snip>

Since we have different consoles, it would be nice to see those pics sometime in the future.  Also, you said you mounted it in the centre console.  Is ths the one right in between the driver and passenger?  Did you have to drill a hole to run the wires (ie. for power, antenna, etc)?