Isolated Power Source

[WSFX665]

 Having a heckuva time tracking down the cause of electrical whine when transmitting on my Midland 575. My final attempt will be a noise filter and it should arrive in a couple days. If it does not work, is it possible to use an isolated power source like another battery or a Jackery Portable Power Supply to power the radio? Something that can be charged when radio is not in use. The idea of pulling over every time I want to transmit just doesn't seem too appealing.

[SteveShannon]

3 minutes ago, WSFX665 said:

 Having a heckuva time tracking down the cause of electrical whine when transmitting on my Midland 575. My final attempt will be a noise filter and it should arrive in a couple days. If it does not work, is it possible to use an isolated power source like another battery or a Jackery Portable Power Supply to power the radio? Something that can be charged when radio is not in use. The idea of pulling over every time I want to transmit just doesn't seem too appealing.

Yes, it’s possible. A secondary battery would be the most efficient and have the least opportunity to create noise, but there’s no guarantee it’ll be a perfect cure.

[WSFX665]

3 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

Yes, it’s possible. A secondary battery would be the most efficient and have the least opportunity to create noise, but there’s no guarantee it’ll be a perfect cure.

Doesn't have to be perfect, just tolerable to those on the other end. I don't want to be "That Guy"! Thanks again, Steve. 

[SteveShannon]

10 minutes ago, WSFX665 said:

Doesn't have to be perfect, just tolerable to those on the other end. I don't want to be "That Guy"! Thanks again, Steve. 

There are some things to be careful of.  If you get a LiFePO4 battery and intend to charge it from the alternator, there are special chargers that need to be used to avoid burning out your alternator.  There are lots of YouTube videos about it.  I haven’t done it and have no experience.

[WRYZ926]

My brother runs his mobile radios on a 100AH LifePo4 battery. He charges it with a LifePo4 charger plugged into the 120V inverter built into his truck. He does this so that he doesn't have to try and get power wires through the firewall since he does not keep his trucks very long. I've never heard him complain about RF issues with the radios.

Definitely get the correct charger for LifePo4 batteries if that is what you are going to use. A standard charger will ruin the battery. And there is a difference between regular lithium batteries and LifePo4 batteries.

Note: my brother uses a 100AH battery in the truck since he also uses it for Parks On The Air with his 100 watt Icom IC-7300 HF radio. You can definitely get by with a smaller battery for a 50 watt radio and even smaller one for a 20 watt radio.

[WSFX665]

Noise filter was ineffective. Dang!