The
Electronic Battery Booster
During the evolution of Amateur electronic
gear the power source has evolved around the automobile standard
of 13.8 volts . And typically the tolerance has been set at +
or - 15%. This is OK if the engine is on. One further complication
is that the specification does not include the cable drop of 1
to 2 volts.
So when the engine is turned off the battery
drops to 12 volts. Now 15% off of 13.8 leaves only 11.7 and another
volt drop for the cable leaves 10.7 volts to run the radio. The
radio is not specified to run at this voltage.
So what is needed is a car type power supply,
just like at home that always puts out 13.8 volts. Hence the Electronic
Battery Booster. Now if you take your radio out of the house
and put it in your car it will give the same output, just as if
it was connected to the power supply in the house.
Just to set the record straight, if the manufacture's
cable is replaced with #10 wire, and your battery is in good condition,
the radio will probably run OK also.