mfj4403/portable using car
David VanDensen:
Couple questions, anyone with ownership of the mfj 4403 using a 100 watt rig from a cigarette lighter and did it work?
Next if I used a separate deep cycle battery to power the 100 watt rig, what way will be best to charge the 2cd battery 1)jumper cables from the main battery to the spare 2)a small gasoline generator to a power supply to charge the battery so the car doesn't constantly run 3)a large noisy generator and skip the battery????
Alan Applegate:
I wouldn't do it on a bet! This is one product that MFJ should not offer.
The wiring for most accessory sockets is #16, and it is bundled with a bunch of other wire before it gets to the fuse panel. Thus, it is very easy to overheat the wiring, even when current levels are below the sockets rated load (120 watts give or take).
While it is easy to dismiss the facts with rhetoric (it works for me, etc.), the fact remains that the most costly repair on any vehicle is an electrical fire. If you choose this route, you're on your own.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
Alan Applegate:
If you want to know how to do a decent installation, visit my web site.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
Phil Salas:
I have a MFJ-4403 and it actually does work very well for low duty cycle modes (like CW and SSB). It is really not much different than the Gamma HPS-1a tiny power supply that uses a low current power source to charge some BIG capacitors. Except that the MFJ-4403 includes a current limited capacitor charging circuit to keep from stressing the accessory socket wiring while the capacitors are initially charging. So your radio's necessary peak current comes from the MFJ-4403 4-farad internal capacitor bank. The normal accessory wiring does a nice job of providing the average capacitor charging current for the capacitors, but again only for low duty cycle modes.
HOWEVER - You can take your car to a car stereo shop and have high current direct wiring from the battery put in for much less than the cost of the MFJ-4403. Alan is right in that there is nothing better than direct wiring from the battery. But for very temporary operation (like maybe a rental car), you'll find that the MFJ-4403 does the job.
Phil - AD5X
David VanDensen:
Thanks for your two replies.
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