Do I have to keep this plugged into an outlet when I don't need it to jump start a car? Thank you!
2005668
No, mine seems to hold a full charge forever. I actually didnt buy this to start a car. But today I went to start my pickup and the battery was dead. I hauled out the jump starter and was amazed at how well it spun over truck. I dont ever leave plugged in, once its charged I just leave on the bench where its warm.
2005669
No it will hold a charge for a couple of months. There is a check light that will light green if it's charged when you press the check button.
2005670
Don't have to but its a good idea. That way its always charged when you need it.
2005671
If I charge this and leave it in my car, as back up, will it drain faster under particular conditions?
86768
This battery pack could be used as the "source" for some "jump-start" devices that use the lighter outlet for connecting the cars together. However I'll add a few comments about using those lighter connected "jump-start" devices. First, several such devices like the Wagan Jumper item 9796 will draw more power than they deliver to "pump" the power, thus they waste some of the energy being transfered. Also they only work if you have a good battery in the car that accidentally got drained, so if the car battery won't hold enough of a charge to start the car, you'll never get going from the "trickle charge" they provide. Those also can take 15-30 minutes to give you enough charge to start, so don't be expecting to plug it in and 30 seconds later to be turning the key to start. Speaking of the key, you also need to have the key in the "accessories" position while charging the car so the lighter is connected to the battery in the car, but you're not draining power with the cars engine computer running like while in the "on" position. So with all of those issues, most don't like those lighter "jump-start" devices (look at the reviews of such), but that doesn't mean they don't work for some.
828759
It has a cooling fan that runs constantly so I unplug it. The batteries seem to hold a charge for a long time so I don't bother leaving it plugged in. Most of the time it rides in the trunk of the car anyway. Take care
1417770
Yes, you can leave it plugged in 24/7. If you were not going to start your car for a month, you might want to unplug it, but even then, it wouldn't use enough power to drain your battery. If you have a digital watch, think how long it will run on it's little tiny battery. Just about the same thing with this little voltage meter. I have mine in a boat and I never unplug it.
679883
Not sure understand question but there is a circuits breaker. Like an outlet should be on all the time. Not using power unless plugged into your car. Hope helps.
1904009
If your power source is continuous even after you turn off the ignition, there will still be a power draw. However, it's very minimal. I would think that even if you left it plugged in over night, it probably wouldn't be so detrimental that your car wouldn't start. Over the entire weekend, it might be a different story.However, I don't know for a fact, as my car's cigarette lighter is on a switched fuse, so it stops working when I turn off the ignition. Therefore, it isn't a problem for me.
1140943
You won't get much benefit plugging it in while jumping, as the onboard charger only charges at a low rate compared to the hundreds of amps the battery puts out during a jump start. I wouldn't bother trying to do that- just use it and then put it back on charge.
1665363
I would have it plugged into my truck 12v outlet all day while driving, but I would unplug it in the evening and let it maintain whatever coolness it had. However, I didn't want to run down my truck battery, so I never attempted to leave it plugged in for too long without the truck running. Sorry I can't answer your question.
128249
Starts as soon as power supplied. You have to be careful not to leave it plugged in all the time or it could drain your battery. I leave mine plugged in every where I go and unplug it at night. Some cars like mine give you the option of continuous power when the car is shut off or a separate plug to shut it down, when car turns off.
884816
Depends on if the 12 volt outlet is constant or switched. If it is always on when the car is off and you will be away from the car for more than a few hours it should be unplugged as it has a minor current draw.
2125339
The unit does not have to be plugged in during use. There is an AC plug that you use to charge it in a wall outlet for 24 hrs. Once charged, the unit can be unplugged from the wall and taken anywhere to jump the engine. Just remember to recharge it for another 24 hrs after every jump!
1265237
Your car has to be able to charge the battery that way so i'd check your owners manual just to be safe if you havent already. but we had a Toyota Prius and the ignition battery died so bought this and a quick jump kit. we jumped it from the cig lighter anytime the car wouldn't start. we never left it plugged in longer than to start the car.hope this helps!
1265235
Your car has to be able to charge the battery that way so i'd check your owners manual just to be safe if you havent already. but we had a Toyota Prius and the ignition battery died so bought this and a quick jump kit. we jumped it from the cig lighter anytime the car wouldn't start. we never left it plugged in longer than to start the car. hope this helps!
1466663
Only if your power outlet only works when you have the key in the on or power position. Most cars do have a power outlet that works without the engine on.
2161737
No, you will have to shut it off manually. Since it isn't an integral part of the car's electronics system, but has its own battery and is detachable from the recharging unit, it runs on its own. I haven't found it to be too much of a hassle to shut it off manually. The good part is, if it is not connected to a device for a certain number of minutes, it WILL shut off automatically, so you could just allow it to do that each time you exited your car.
1164836
No need to leave it plugged in !Just like any electronic device only plugged it when the charge is low "I jumped 4 cars on one charge and it can do more!!"No sure about the float mode sorry !
2219059
With the unit unplugged you can push the test button to check the status of the battery. What did you use it for? We're you trying to start a car? It is best used for small vehicles (4 or 6 cyl) or cars were the battery is not completely dead. Have you used it before to jump a vehicle? Sometimes it is a matter of making proper contact. If you see some sparks when attaching the last cable, it should be good, if not make sure you are making proper contact. I left mine in the car for a couple of months after charging it overnight and it was still good. You might want to charge it overnight.