Motorola APX Vehicular Adapter

[HM1529]

Anybody out there using the APX series vehicular adapter? It appears as though it is not capable of controlling the radio power on/off state via the vehicle ignition switch (i.e. the radio powers off when the vehicle is turned off). I never used one, but I was told this was a capability with the vehicular adapters in the XTS series. Anybody know if there is a way for this to happen in the APX version?

I don't know how it worked in the XTS series. But, it would seem to me that if you locked the radio into the adapter cradle with the power know in the on position that it should be possible to have the adapter override the knob and control the power to match the ignition switch position.

It's disappointing if this feature was removed in the transition from XTS to APX. I hope someone out there has some possible feedback.

 

[ME801]

I don't remember what the XTS XTVA had that power on of capability, is been five or so years.
My APX XTVA does not, but I have it wired to a cigarette lighter plug do I can move it between vehicles.

 

[ResQguy]

There has never been a Motorola vehicular adapter that controlled the power state of the portable radio, going all the way back to the MT500. Not the MX, STX, Saber, Astro Saber, Jedi, or XTS. Nope.

 

[HM1529]

Oh, okay then. I was just the other day by a radio shop tech that the XTS line had that capability.

 

[HM1529]

Oh, okay then. I was *told* just the other day by a radio shop tech that the XTS line had that capability. I've never used the portable vehicular adapters. We're getting them at work.

 

[sdu219]

Wire Color Connect to
Red Vehicle battery (+)
Black Vehicle Chassis (GND)
Yellow Fuse box (see below for details)

The yellow wire controls whether or not the APX VA radio battery charger will be “live” at all times.
Consider the functionality and vehicle battery drain current below during installation.

Standard Wiring to Vehicle Switched A+ – Charging OFF with Vehicle OFF
For installations where the radio may be left in the APX VA with the vehicle’s ignition switched
OFF and minimal vehicle battery drain current is important, the standard wiring connection of the
yellow wire to vehicle switched A+ will disable charging.

Optional Wiring to Vehicle A+ – Charging ON with Vehicle OFF
When the radio is left in the APX VA for charging with the vehicle’s ignition switched OFF, the
optional wiring connection of the yellow wire to always-live vehicle (A+) will keep the charger ON.

When the operator takes the radio from the APX VA, low vehicle battery drain current will occur.
See (*) below.
Condition
Standard Wiring Optional Wiring
Vehicle = ON Vehicle = OFF* Vehicle = ON or OFF
Battery Charging Yes No Yes
Vehicle Battery Drain
Radio OUT 20 mA 2.5 mA 20 mA
Radio IN but OFF 30 – 900 mA 11 mA 30 – 900 mA
Radio In and ON** 125 – 2000 mA 30 – 1000 mA 125 – 2000 mA

https://www.radiotwoway.com/image/catalog/April/APX_VehicularAdapter_UserGuide.pdf

 

[ME801]

Oh, okay then. I was just the other day by a radio shop tech that the XTS line had that capability.

Got my curiosity up, dug our an old XTS convertacom (that's what we called them back in the day), borrowed a 5000 from a friend and can confirm the XTS series convertacom does not control the radio power on/off by ignition sense.

 

[HM1529]

Got my curiosity up, dug our an old XTS convertacom (that's what we called them back in the day), borrowed a 5000 from a friend and can confirm the XTS series convertacom does not control the radio power on/off by ignition sense.

Cool. Appreciate the check. I was curious about this capability and when I asked, they told me they knew noting about the APX cradles since they hadn't installed very many, but that the old XTS line could do it. I was looking at it from the perspective of having personnel used to mobile radios automatically booting up now having their radios off by default if the vehicle adapter didn't override the portable. Looks like we'll have to do some retraining and get folks to turn them on and off manually. Sigh. You get what you get...yadda yadda.

Frankly, I'm surprised this would not be something that could be possible. You leave the portable knob turned on and then the cradle controls the power when it is locked in place. I can't be the only one who sees the benefits of this. Damn you Motorola....

 

[brndnstffrd]

In the past I had considered gutting and modifying a dead battery or using one of the battery eliminator "batteries" that has terminals on the case to use on a radio to just pass power direct to the radio with no battery functionality, then the radios on/off function would be dictated by the Convertacom. Time/lack of interest and the lack of a real need got in the way of the project and I never got around to it.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

In the past I had considered gutting and modifying a dead battery or using one of the battery eliminator "batteries" that has terminals on the case to use on a radio to just pass power direct to the radio with no battery functionality, then the radios on/off function would be dictated by the Convertacom. Time/lack of interest and the lack of a real need got in the way of the project and I never got around to it.

Just killing power to the radio itself can create issues with busy multi-site trunking systems. That's why there is a minor delay for power off when the radio is shutdown manually or via ignition sense (if equipped)...going through de-registration with the system.

 

[brndnstffrd]

Just killing power to the radio itself can create issues with busy multi-site trunking systems. That's why there is a minor delay for power off when the radio is shutdown manually or via ignition sense (if equipped)...going through de-registration with the system.

That is a valid point, but in this specific setup would not be an issue. It is a good point to add though for others reading this.