Charging HH VHF on boat

Seakindly

Seakindly

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I'm posting cause I've got myself all confused searching online. I've got (for better or worse) a Standard Horizon HX851 DSC handheld VHF, my first HH. It comes with a charging cradle powered by a 240 v tranformer. The cradle can interface with the plotter, and I reckon I can work that out. I thought getting a 12v lead to power the cradle would be simple -but suppliers seem to want nearly £8 just to post me one on top of unit price. I spoke to S Horiz. uk to check part number -and the number they gave me (EDC 19A) just comes up with U.S. suppliers at $34. So I sent Maplins the cradles input details and they said 'sorry, can't help'. You'll have gathered I'm a DC duffer. Can I just wire the cradle straight into the boats DC system? There must be a simple solution.:confused:
 
What is the output from the charging transformer? That is the key. The output from my ICOM transformer is nominal 12v 500ma. So as long as your output is 12v then plug into an accessory socket and have the correct plug into the cradle then you will be fine.
 
Fox's at Ipswich have the charger cord at £10.73 ic vat. Plus carriage.

However, it looks like the Charging Unit operates at 12v.
Look on the charger unit to see the input voltage. If its 9.6v or over, then a normal 12v cord will do off ebay.

I have the SH HX260 and the HX270E.
The 260 is a direct plug in to the handset, the 270 is in a cradle which is not as good.
 
Not much help to you, but it would appear that SH are trying to save some cash, as my HX270, bought in 2007, came with both a 240v and 12v power supply to plug into the charging cradle.

It (radio and charger) is on the boat at the moment, but I could have a look this weekend, and see if it has a voltage etc written on it, which may help you. For info, it (the radio) takes 6 AA cells, therefore 9v.
 
Thanks. The charging cradle it'self is a CD-38 with DC input 12-16V 200mA (and outputs 8.4V 170mA to the batt I presume). The 240v charger transformer outputs 12V DC 200ma to the cradle. Yes- for convenience sake, Fox's price looks good, but with £8 delivery on top, it's getting silly if I'm paying for my own ignorance and I can wire direct. I'd be taking the cigar plug off anyway unless it did something helpful. It's a bit odd really that the 12v supply is optional for a thing legally used on boats - but provide a 240 V charging land-base station. I realise marina's and power-boat users might bring the thing ashore frequently, but the rest of us? So, in summary - do folks think I can safely wire this cradle in direct? It looks like it. I'm just chary of cooking the battery.
 
Seakindly said:
Thanks. The charging cradle it'self is a CD-38 with DC input 12-16V 200mA (and outputs 8.4V 170mA to the batt I presume). The 240v charger transformer outputs 12V DC 200ma to the cradle. Yes- for convenience sake, Fox's price looks good, but with £8 delivery on top, it's getting silly if I'm paying for my own ignorance and I can wire direct. I'd be taking the cigar plug off anyway unless it did something helpful. It's a bit odd really that the 12v supply is optional for a thing legally used on boats - but provide a 240 V charging land-base station. I realise marina's and power-boat users might bring the thing ashore frequently, but the rest of us? So, in summary - do folks think I can safely wire this cradle in direct? It looks like it. I'm just chary of cooking the battery.
Click to expand...

Hmm this is a tricky one. The 12v direct chargers usually have a diode to prevent surges and so even out the rate. If you were to go direct it MIGHT cause a problem from batteries that are over the nominal rate.

Good luck

Peter
 
I've tried charging my HH VHF via the boat system and a cigar lighter cable with the correct pin. Not at all successful. Seems to reduce the time it takes to runout of battery but won't actually charge it up. Admittedly it's not the same make as yours but be aware that even if you spend your money, it may not work.
 
bluemoongaffer said:
I've tried charging my HH VHF via the boat system and a cigar lighter cable with the correct pin. Not at all successful. Seems to reduce the time it takes to runout of battery but won't actually charge it up. Admittedly it's not the same make as yours but be aware that even if you spend your money, it may not work.
Click to expand...

My Standard Horizon handheld charges fine on 12V in the boat. Incidentally, it came with the EDC19 lead as standard, so SH must be cutting costs these days.
 
Hmm. Who'd have thought it so awkward. So that's why I was flummoxed. Supposing I test the output/polarity on the 240 charger cable, then snip it orf and wire it in direct? Surely if cradle is rated 12-16V, it should handle that? BTW -thanks for all your thoughts. Good to know this forum is there when you need it.
 
I've just looked at my HX851.The polarity of the plug(it is actualy a socket on the end of the wire) that goes into the CD-38 charger cradle is,outside of the pin is negative,centre of the pin is positive.This is written on the back of the transformer that plugs into the 240V wall socket.If I was to install a charger on my boat,I would buy another CD-38 base and wire that to the 12v through a suitable fuse.However,although the radio is waterproof,the charger cradle unit is most certainly not.I have taken the back off mine and there is a circuit board with various gubbins inside.This would have to be mounted in a very dry spot aboard a boat.There may be an alternative charger cradle available that is more watertight,I've not looked yet.
Cheers
 
Seakindly said:
I'm posting cause I've got myself all confused searching online. I've got (for better or worse) a Standard Horizon HX851 DSC handheld VHF, my first HH. It comes with a charging cradle powered by a 240 v tranformer. The cradle can interface with the plotter, and I reckon I can work that out. I thought getting a 12v lead to power the cradle would be simple -but suppliers seem to want nearly £8 just to post me one on top of unit price. I spoke to S Horiz. uk to check part number -and the number they gave me (EDC 19A) just comes up with U.S. suppliers at $34. So I sent Maplins the cradles input details and they said 'sorry, can't help'. You'll have gathered I'm a DC duffer. Can I just wire the cradle straight into the boats DC system? There must be a simple solution.:confused:
Click to expand...


My SH handheld came with a car lead which also plugs into the cradle?????
 
My HX270 also came with a car (boat?) ciggy socket cable. Works fine. As the cradle is voltage controlled to a 7.7v output, I don't see why you can't connect it straight in to the boat's wiring.
Note: They also say not to use rechargables in the supplied battery back as it is not stabilised. Only alcaline chuck-aways.
 
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