How to run heavy DC cable from passenger compartment to battery in 2009 Accord?

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Alan WA4SCA - 20 Feb 2009 14:00 GMT

Hi,

Anybody have experience with running a heavy DC power cable for a ham
rig through the firewall, or other route, to get to the battery in a
2009 or recent V-6 Accord Coupe? The service manuals are not yet
available, and my old Accord is too ancient to provide guidance in
finding a suitable path.

--
Alan
WA4SCA

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Michael Pardee - 20 Feb 2009 15:23 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Alan
> WA4SCA

You are probably going to have to drill or cut your own hole and install a
grommet, then seal the grommet after the wires are in place. (I'm presuming
the high power has to go to a head unit rather than a unit in the trunk.) Do
you know what guage wires you will need?

Mike

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Jim Yanik - 20 Feb 2009 16:42 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Alan
> WA4SCA

the straightest,shortest route would be under the car and then up into the
trunk area.(like the fuel lines...)
trying to go thru the passenger compartment will result in a twisty and
more difficult routing.
You'd have to pull carpet,trim,and then there's the chance of breakage and
not getting it fitted back together properly.

Signature

Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

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Alan Biddle - 20 Feb 2009 17:50 GMT

Jim, Mike,

In the past, I have placed the RF unit under the passengers seat, and
mounted the control head somewhere in the center console. Since the
rig pulls about 12 amps, that cuts down the drop in a long run to the
trunk. Of course, I can use heavier cable if I go that route. In my
old car, I was able to find a cable run which worked well with minimal
trim removal.

Of course another trick is to tie into the DC power to the power seat.
Plenty of capacity, unswitched, and test shows it to be clean. Not
sure about the new car though.

--
Alan

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