UTV portable 12 volt radio needed

BeltfedGoodness · Sep 1, 2012

I'm looking for a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug radio for the Mule. I thought this would be an easy task, but it turns out to be harder to find than i first thought.

Basically i do not have a roof on the 4010 mule so having a full sterio system installed in there is not an option nor do i want that. i do not want one installed in the glove boxes as they are already filled full of needed stuff. I dont care to have thumping speakers mounted somehwere either as my mule is more of a work machine and a sound system would be likely beat up in short order. What i need is a simple 12 volt self contained radio to just plug in when i work in the woods or fence lines to listen to some talk radio once in a while. I'd like it to be small enough to just store it in the front compartment and bring it out only when needed. I dont need a cd or tape deck...just simple radio am/fm with a speaker. I dont need anything big that might suck my battery down either. i dont want anything with a mess of batteries as i might not use the radio for months and hate to have to keep up with D sized batteries in a boom box type system, plus it would probably be bigger than what could fit in the storage compartment.

Anyone know what is out there currently that might work?

amigauser · Sep 1, 2012

A quick Google search found these options.

Motorcycle AM/FM Radio

Dynamo Weatherband/AM/FM Radio with 3-LED Light

Cheap Portable 12v/24v Wireless Remote Control Car Mp3 Player With Fm Modulator /tf Slot /usb Jack Orange - Free Shipping on CarsItems.com.

I personally would just get a MP3 player with headphones or just noise reducing headphones with a built in radio receiver which is what I use for both my tractor and RTV.

3M Digital Work Tunes AM/FM Radio, Model# 90541-80000 | Hearing Protection| Northern Tool + Equipment}

timswi · Sep 1, 2012

A 400 watt inverter and a small portable/waterproof radio (little boom box) might do the trick.

Zebrafive · Sep 1, 2012

I use a DeWalt radio that operates on the same batteries as my other DeWalt cordless tools.

BeltfedGoodness · Sep 3, 2012

Thanks for the replies and great ideas fellas!!

the headphone type muffs appeals to me IF the set has good reception. Also the headphone set would be VERY hot in summer in Arkansas. BUT it would be nice to have when bush hoggin........hummmmm

The motorcycle systems would probably be very nice, but there is the installation problem with the receiver and speakers but no doubt would be some nice listening.

the dewalt idea may be best for me as i have a few sets of batteries for the dewalt kits. i never looked at one and the searching i have done appears the dewalt radios are 110 volt battery pack charge stations and radios. are all the dewalt radio designs this way? or is there a model i'm not seeing that is just a radio run off of the battery packs? or does the recharge type radio also run directly off of the pack if 110 power is unplugged?

Zebrafive · Sep 3, 2012

You CAN run the radio just off a DeWalt battery OR plug it in to 110v to run the radio AND charge (or not charge) a battery. I get several days run time from the radio on just a battery.

boggen · Sep 3, 2012

you can get a cheap MP3 player, that most likely will have am/fm radio. and get a car adapter for it. and then pickup the wide range of little speakers that will plug into an ipod or mp3 player. (not head phones but a speaker or 2) and get car adapter for it. most likely would need to pickup a Y adapter for the cigarette lighter.

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not into ipods or like, but you might find a simple cheap ipod, with speaker to attach to it instead of head phones. and a single cable that plugs into cigarette lighter.

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you can get "marine" or rather "boat" radios. that are water proof, and much like a generic am/fm radio for a car or truck, along with speakers that are waterproof. generally you will need to goto a boat store or go onto the internet to find the "marine" radios and waterproof speakers.

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personally never head phones that fit over your skull, or into your ear worth a darn. more so once ya sweaty, and start actually working and moving around picking up stuff off the ground.