TESSCO offers a broad range of mobile power products from the wireless industry’s leading manufacturers. Whether you require heavy-duty DC to DC power conversion in an industrial environment, or just want to operate electronics on the road, we have what you need. A variety of power options including DC to AC power inversion, DC to DC conversion, isolation or spike protection, and delay timers are in stock. You also need the right tools, the right brands, and technical help to match tools to the installation at hand. Select from dozens of respected manufacturers, including Craftsman, Paladin, DeWALT, Klein, Milwaukee, 3M, Xcelite and more, at a price point right for your budget.
Other Vehicle Communications Solutions
Mobile Antennas | Mobile Mounts | Fleet Management | Mobile Command
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Mobile Power Inverters | Mobile Power Converters | Delay Timers |
Tools & Installation Supplies
Don't Make These Top 5 Most Common Errors
Automotive electrical installation supplies and tools enable upfitters to route power generated by a vehicle’s battery to mobile devices vital to everyone from road warriors to emergency first responders. These mobile radios, computers, and other equipment require inverters, converters, and delay timers to alter the 12 VDC battery power to meet their specific power requirements.
After consulting experienced upfitters for both consumer, public safety and work vehicles, the staff of Law and Order Magazine uncovered the most common installation errors affecting the vehicle’s electrical performance, among them the following:
Installation Error 1: Improper wire size. View solution
Installation Error 2: Crimp-only connections. View solution
Installation Error 3: Improper fusing. View solution
Installation Error 4: Poor cable routing. View solution
Installation Error 5: Excessive electrical loads. View solution
Knowing how to avoid these errors could affect your choice of essential electrical arts and supplies.
Solution 1 — Safe Wire Size
Always use the same wire gauge that comes with the electrical device you are installing, and run that gauge all the way from the device to the power source to avoid shorts, blown fuses and possible fires. You’ll find the correct wire size among TESSCO’s full range of insulated copper wire.
Solution 2 — Crimp Connections Plus
Crimp, solder and, when possible, heat-shrink connections. Mechanical crimping is always stronger after soldering, a step that fills inadvertent voids, prevents corrosion from exposed copper, and actually lowers resistance. For no-fail connections, heat-shrinking is a worthwhile final step.
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Solution 3 — Adequate Fusing
Each electrical device you install should have its own high-quality, brand-name fuse, rated 20% higher than the equipment requires.
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Wireless Solutions Mini ATM Fuses |
Solution 4 — Tidy Cable Routing
Whenever wiring is exposed in the passenger, engine or trunk compartments, protect and route wires with inexpensive, tidy split loom rather than difficult-to-remove tape. Bundle common wires with tie wraps, place in split-loom for protection, and tie-wrap to the chassis for routing.
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Solution 5 — Safe Electrical Loads
In emergency vehicles, prevent electrical equipment from frying the alternator and battery by adding the amps drawn by the vehicle’s power train and accessories to the electrical demand of all aftermarket devices...when the vehicle is idling. If idling demand exceeds output, reduce the power somewhere, e.g., replace halogen and strobe lights with LEDs.
View the Fluke 87 V True-RMS DMM
Mobile Power Inverters
What Is It?
A power inverter changes the DC power from the vehicle’s battery to AC power, like the power in your house. Inverters can either plug into your cigarette lighter adapter outlet or be wired directly to your vehicle battery.
When Do I Use a Power Inverter?
Use an inverter when you want to run AC-powered equipment such as a computer from your vehicle battery. You need to know the input power level from the car battery (e.g., 12 VDC) and the output power level required by your equipment (e.g., 115 VAC).
Featured Product: Tripp Lite PV375 Portable Inverter
The Tripp Lite PV375 Portable Inverter takes power from your vehicle battery via the cigarette lighter plug, and inverts it into 120 volts of AC power. It features two AC plugs to power two devices at once. Find the correct PowerVerter to meet your power demands with the Inverter Selection Guide on TESSCO.com.
Mobile Power Converters
What Is It?
A power converter takes the DC power from your vehicle’s battery and converts it to a safe level of DC power for your equipment (e.g., your mobile radio).
When Do I Use a Power Converter?
Use a power converter when you want to run a device that can be powered with DC power, but requires a different level of DC power than the car offers. For example, if your vehicle has a 24 VDC battery but your mobile radio uses 12 VDC, you need to convert the DC power level to make it safe for your radio. You need to know the input power level (from car battery) and the output power level (to communications equipment).
Featured Product — ICT 20-30 VDC, 18A Voltage Converter
The ICT Industrial Power Series switching converter is designed for high efficiency and long service life. It features a rugged vibration and moisture resistant case, over voltage protection, and a current limiting, fused terminal block connection.
Delay Timers
What Is It?
A delay timer allows a user to power equipment from the vehicle battery, even after the vehicle's engine has been shut off. The user sets a specific time interval (e.g., 15 minutes) for the equipment to run after the engine stops. After 15 minutes, the delay timer safely turns off the equipment, ensuring that the vehicle battery does not go dead.
When Do I Use a Delay Timer?
Use a delay timer when you need to run equipment from your vehicle’s battery after the engine has been turned off.
Featured Product — ChargeGuard 12V Negative Ground Timer Switch
The Havis ChargeGuard Select CG.X automatic on/off timer switch acts as a vehicle power management system by automatically turning on mobile equipment when starting the motor. The 12-volt negative ground ignition sensing timer switch is designed for two-way radios, mobile data terminals, laptop computers and other mobile computing devices.
Featured Product — AC/DC Ignition-Sensing Delay Timer MZL-100
The MZL-100delay timer lets you use equipment such as radios and computers with the vehicle engine turned off, while insuring that the battery will still have enough power to start the vehicle. A delay timer is valuable for public safety, surveillance, government, industrial and recreational vehicles and can be programmed to run equipment from 15 minutes to 8 hours.
For more information, contact TESSCO at 888-256-9220 today.
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