How can you tell if it is actually doing anything while it is plugged in through the cigarette lighter?
334169
I remember in the description it said 'ultra bright blue charging light....'
334170
You are right it drains more then charges, that's why I wouldn't buy one. When the sun is shining bright it charges but when the sun changes angles and the light is less it discharges so if you do not disconnect it approaching evening it will discharge and in the morning it will be low or dead.
334171
I know that the lighter is "live" because the lighter works with the ignition off. I tested the Sunforce and it shows a voltage of around 14V. You don't need to turn anything on or push any buttons on it, and there are no lights or anything to indicate it is running. The voltage is just there. Therefore I infer that the Sunforce is presenting 14 V to the battery in daylight. It is rated at 5 watts. My concern was that after one month it would drain more current than it took and have a negative effect on the battery charge. That was evidently not the case as the Explorer started right up. All I wanted was to give the battery a trickle charge in case it was being drained by other car electrics. That seems to have worked OK. The direct answer to your question is that it puts out the voltage and the lighter is "live." (I.e. connected directly to the battery.) Therefore I infer that it is trickle charging the battery. Hope this helps.
1533120
It should power on automatically when inserted into the powerpoint or cigerette lighter of your car, there are a few things you can try.1.) Test if other things power up plugged into the outlet (eg. cellphone chargers) if they don't work eather then you may have a blown fuse, depending on your vehicle there may be a fuse for your powerpoint under your hood as well as in your dashboard.2.)the device itself has a fuse that can be accessed by unscrewing the end, if it's blow you can replace it. (but the device itself costs less than a box of replacement fuses.3.) try plugging it into another car, if it still doesn't work and the fuse is good then it's broken. It should power on automatically when inserted into the powerpoint or cigerette lighter of your car, there are a few things you can try.1.) Test if other things power up plugged into the outlet (eg. cellphone chargers) if they don't work eather then you may have a blown fuse, depending on your vehicle there may be a fuse for your powerpoint under your hood as well as in your dashboard.2.)the device itself has a fuse that can be accessed by unscrewing the end, if it's blow you can replace it. (but the device itself costs less than a box of replacement fuses.3.) try plugging... » Read More It should power on automatically when inserted into the powerpoint or cigerette lighter of your car, there are a few things you can try.1.) Test if other things power up plugged into the outlet (eg. cellphone chargers) if they don't work eather then you may have a blown fuse, depending on your vehicle there may be a fuse for your powerpoint under your hood as well as in your dashboard.2.)the device itself has a fuse that can be accessed by unscrewing the end, if it's blow you can replace it. (but the device itself costs less than a box of replacement fuses.3.) try plugging it into another car, if it still doesn't work and the fuse is good then it's broken. « Show Less
1334072
I'm not sure what you mean, when it's plugged in? That's the only way you can watch it, it needs power to work in the car. Sorry I just didn't understand what you meant by watcing while plugged?
1322733
You cigarette lighter socket/Aux. Socket is likely fused with a 10, 15, 20 amp fuse. An attempt to put anything in that slot and draw meaningful power from it would instantly blow that cigarette lighter socket fuse. So no.
1959559
I don't have that answer, sorry.All I know is that you plug it in tothe cigarette lighter and it works.
26012
The correct answer will depend on your vehicle. If your cigarette lighter gets continuous power even when the key is turned off, then the answer is YES. If the power to the cigarette lighter is cut off when the key is turned off, then the answer is NO. An easy way to test your cigarette lighter when the key is turned off is to plug something into it (i.e. USB charger or test the lighter itself) and see if it works.
673107
The lighter plug has a fuseThe fuse may have blownTry a technical place like radio shack to see if the can test it or get you a USB adapter
461391
No it doesn't, if it's plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet then it's on. In my car, when the engine is off it cuts power to that outlet so it shuts off on its own but in my wife's car it doesn't so I have to actively unplug it.
1565252
On the bottom of the battery there are some gold/brass squares. Line those up with the similar squares on the inside of the charging slot. If inserted correctly, there will be a red light, indicating that the battery is charging.
1597016
You can see the light if you screw the top off to plug the cord in. If it's blue; it's charging.
753337
It remains on completely as long as its plugged to your car lighter. It even remains on when the radio is off, so ita not like you have to wait for it to turn on and such.
135922
When its plugged in to charge, turn it on and the battery icon will show you by blinking.
1978563
If the cigarette lighter is the culprit. It is shot. If the cigarette lighter plug-in itself is shot. Fuse blown, problem with wiring or something else there is no point in trying to charge with it. I suppose the best way is to plug a different cigarette lighter into it that you know is working then you will find out whether plug-in is working.
1166862
That's normal it is reading the alt ouput of the the vehicle when it is running. when the vehicle is not running it should be a steady voltage reading.
242861
It is a glow light that is plugged into and powered by the cigarette lighter.
640895
Plug something in while the car is running. Look for the light on whatever it is that you've plugged in that tells you it is being charged. Turn off the car and remove key. Is the light still on?
1233837
James: Just like a GPS, it plugs into the cigarette lighter. I am happy with it----it works well---I feel its good value for the money.Kirk