Hardwire Midland GMRS radio to GX?

[swild]

How would you hardwire a Midland MXT275 to the GX but not kill the battery?
I want the radio to turn off when the car is turned off.
Thanks!

 

[Bang Bang]

Wire it to any fuse in the fuse box that is switched, like the one for the head unit.

 

[r2m]

Wire it to any fuse in the fuse box that is switched, like the one for the head unit.

The head unit will turn off when the ignition is off. It will come on with one (1) press of the button.
Best if you use a fuse and wire it to a constant hot, not sure, but for me I'd just go straight to the battery.
This is how I have my mobile HAM radio wired. Constant hot so I can have the vehicle turned completely off and monitor the radio.

 

[woodsy460]

The 12V power port (cigarette lighter) in the compartment under the sliding cover turns off with the car. Just plug an adapter into that power port and you are all set.

 

[swild]

The 12V power port (cigarette lighter) in the compartment under the sliding cover turns off with the car. Just plug an adapter into that power port and you are all set.

That's what I've been doing, but I'm looking for a more stealth install. I'd like to wire it so the power is cut from the Midland radio after the engine is off. Would still like power if the ignition is set to ACC.

 

[woodsy460]

That's what I've been doing, but I'm looking for a more stealth install. I'd like to wire it so the power is cut from the Midland radio after the engine is off. Would still like power if the ignition is set to ACC.

Ahh...okay. I never checked to see if that was powered when ACC is on. It sounds like it isn't.

In that case I would find a fuse that goes to something that is powered on when the engine or ACC is on and use an add-a-fuse to tap into the fuse box.

Link to add-a-fuse: Add-a-fuse

 

[Bang Bang]

.

 

[BigSwede]

Many radios will turn off automatically after a period of time. My ham radios do this, and it is an adjustable setting. My Yeasu was set at 2 hours from the factory. Might be worth checking the Midland for that feature, would allow you to wire it to the battery and use it without activating the vehicle ignition.

 

[swild]

Many radios will turn off automatically after a period of time. My ham radios do this, and it is an adjustable setting. My Yeasu was set at 2 hours from the factory. Might be worth checking the Midland for that feature, would allow you to wire it to the battery and use it without activating the vehicle ignition.

I just checked the manual and I didn't see an auto-off feature. Looks like I'll have to stick with my original plan.

 

[Rednexus]

A fusetap into the cigarette lighter fuse will work just fine (as mentioned above), keeping the radio on with ACC, and proving the GMRS it's own dedicated fuse as well. This would also be completely removable so you won't be hacking into your wiring. You can check for a ACC-on fuse with a voltmeter. You'd just need to make a butt splice or two and route the wiring.

 

[swild]

A fusetap into the cigarette lighter fuse will work just fine (as mentioned above), keeping the radio on with ACC, and proving the GMRS it's own dedicated fuse as well. This would also be completely removable so you won't be hacking into your wiring. You can check for a ACC-on fuse with a voltmeter. You'd just need to make a butt splice or two and route the wiring.

Sounds good. Now I just need to find some YouTube videos that explain the process.

 

[r2m]

Many radios will turn off automatically after a period of time. My ham radios do this, and it is an adjustable setting. My Yeasu was set at 2 hours from the factory. Might be worth checking the Midland for that feature, would allow you to wire it to the battery and use it without activating the vehicle ignition.

Are you referring to handhelds timing off or mobiles. My Yaesu FTM-400DR will not time off until I push the OFF button.

 

[swild]

Are you referring to handhelds timing off or mobiles. My Yaesu FTM-400DR will not time off until I push the OFF button.

I'm talking about mobiles.

 

[r2m]

I'm talking about mobiles.

Maybe there's an option to time out that I don't have selected? In any case, it works for me to have it stay on till I push the OFF button.