Icom A200 pulling battery dead when transmitting

[Triker]

Hi guys

I have a Dash mount Icom A200 in the Cobra with 582. Battery is a 18.2 Ah battery.

When i fly my charging is fine on the batttery. But when I push my PTT to transmit, the Skydat indicates a low battery and voltage drops to 10 V

The outcome being a bad transmit.
Any ideas

[avgas]

That should not happen.
Have someone knowlegeble check the wiring

[bobthebuilder]

I'm sure that Zulu1 on this forum could give you a few pointers.
As a matter of interest, how old is the battery in the radio?

[ZULU1]

Fitting a ica 200 to a trike is just plain stupid, its a 7 watt device, it draws a heap of juice and takes an acre of space. And the intercom is not designed for open cockpit. Most probably a ground fault somewhere as the ptt switches too ground on tx. Check that cabling first...

[Triker]

Hi guys



THanks for the info. Zulu i must say that the A200 is positioned on the panel in such a way that it doesnt take that much space for other instruments. I agree that it does pull lots of juice. I will have a look at the ground cable and see whats the problem. Thanks for the info

I am due for an upgrade to the Vertex VX 220 radio. Can someone perhaps share what handheld radio's they recommend. Offcourse with the airmagic box to accompany it


cheers

[HENNING JOHAN]

Hi guys



THanks for the info. Zulu i must say that the A200 is positioned on the panel in such a way that it doesnt take that much space for other instruments. I agree that it does pull lots of juice. I will have a look at the ground cable and see whats the problem. Thanks for the info

I am due for an upgrade to the Vertex VX 220 radio. Can someone perhaps share what handheld radio's they recommend. Offcourse with the airmagic box to accompany it


cheers

Hallo,Triker!Speak to Phil @ capeavionics!Best price on the vx220.Great radio with the airmagic!

[Triker]

hi guys
Thanks for the help and tips.

[mulderpm]

Firstly, I agree with Paul. Don't fit such a high power transceiver. But having said that, drawing about 1/2 amp on your panel wireing should not cause a 2.5 voltage drop even if the wireing is on the thin side.

If the fault is new and itermittent you have a loose conection somewhere between your battery and the instrument console or in the console, before the SkyDat. It will be after your thick earth and positive starter motor wires. If before then your stater motor will not turn. The loose connection could also be inside your ignition switch or your fuse.

Firstly, establish if the drop is on the earth or the positive (+). Connect a multimeter between the earth terminal on your battery and the negative close to the A200 and push PTT. If the voltage drops excesively, check the earth wireing, if not do the same for the positive circuit. Next keep the connection on the battery and move the other multimeter lead to points closer to the battery. Also wiggle the conections while monitoring the voltage drop. In my experience these intermittent / new faults are the screw terminal connections in the console that vibrate loose, or a soldered connection that becomes a dry joint. Tighten all screw terminal blocks and visually inspect soldered connections every time you open your instrument console.

Hope that helped

Regarding which radio to buy. Ask AirMagic (Paul) or Buzzcom (Larry). I have an Icom A22 on my Trike and an A24 as a backup. It has been reported that when the A24 is fitted onto a Microlight it sometimes suffers from electrical feedback when you transmitt, a loud wistle in your ears. I bought my A24 from a dealer/pilot based in Klerksdrp.

[Triker]

thanks so much mulderpm for the info. I havent had time yet to check the above mentioned, but as soon as i have time i will check it out.

thank you for the effort in explain in detail. Much appreciated
Henk