Power supply for 2 m Ham radio?

[DaktariEd]

I received my Yaesu 8800 today...yee haw! :wings:
I am looking at the installation guidelines and was trying to figure out the best power supply.
The power input shows 13.8 volts. Does this mean the radio will only work when the engine is on and running, getting more than 12 volts? What if the voltage drops due to a power drain (e.g., the a/c & headlights are on at night and the volts drop)?
Would the radio still work if connected to my secondary battery (which charges while running)? Is that a bad idea, to connect a radio to a backup battery?

What thinks ye?

:sombrero:

 

[jeffryscott]

You'll be fine hooking it up to the battery directly. I've got mine running that way with no issues. Operates fine with the engine off, or the engine running.

 

[Pskhaat]

As Jeffry said, you're good. I hook mine directly to my auxilliary battery (or rather through a bus, but close enough).

 

[Desertdude]

It's a better source of power when direct to the battery hook up (as was said) and also a fuse in both the neg and pos lead.

Small tip; sometimes if the battery terminal get the slightest bit dirty your signal will degrade