You should be ok on low power with the FT-90R using the cigar lighter.
Lou may pick up a bit of alternator whine that may not be there going to the
battery.
I have an FT-90R in my car.
Great little rig!
Been chugging along without a problem for months!
....Dave

"Caljsi" wrote in message
...
Has anyone measured the current drawn by the FT-90R on transmit at
the
lower power output levels, i.e. 25, 10 and 5 Watts or otherwise determined
what's needed? I'm planning to operate mine at 10 Watts because of the
reports
on overheating, to reduce the near field intensity and in order to operate
it
from the car's Cigar lighter socket. And, I'm a QRPer at heart.
Cal K4JSI