Is it possible that the circuit of the car will prevent charging if I connect the unit to constant 12v in car instead of directly to the battery?
989972
By 'constant' I think you mean it is always connected to the battery. If the connecting point normally provides 12 volts regardless of the ignition key position, then it should charge anytime. If the connection point is disconnected from power when the ignition is off, then it won't charge.
1750077
I had the same problem. Used this unit as portable power during power outages, to charge phones etc., and it works fine for that. First time I tried jumping my car (with the unit fully charged) it didn't come close to turning over the engine. Jump-started the dead car from my other car with no problem, though. Yes, the power was switched on. Very disappointed that I can't keep it in the trunk and rely on it to get me out of a jam.
2144636
Is the battery attached to the car still? I had a simular issue when trying to charge the battery while still connected to the vehicle terminals. Also non optima batteries have different charging instructions listed in the book. Did you look at them or just the default instructions?
2016035
I have a live all the time 12 volt port. I can let the car sit for a week and I've never had a problem.
2131229
I'm not sure what you mean. If you're asking if it will still work without the car being either on or on accessory, every car I've ever been in does maintain power to the cigarette outlet even when the car is completely off. If that doesn't work, just turn your car on accessory and it will work fine. You just turn the switch on the invertor on. I'd recommend turning the interior lights off in your car while doing this or run the cord through the window to prevent running the battery dead. If you do that, you won't have a problem with your battery going dead, not even close.
1158490
I had this happen to me also. I had a completely dead battery in my car when I attached the charger. I turned the key on and tried the headlights after charging for only a few minutes to check if anything was happening. The charger started clicking and cycling on and off. The noise stopped after a few minutes and it continued to charge fine after that. I believe the cycling is an overload protection. If you experience this try charging the battery while it is disconnected.
1069076
No because the input amperage output is so low it cannot over charge a car battery. It also has a diode to prevent reverse flow when it is not charging. A dead panel should not drain a battery any faster than the battery would drain on its own without the panel hooked up. If it is dead it is dead. Now if only the reverse diode was dead than maybe it would drain it at night. So far my panel has worked great.
1091495
There will be constant current at the excitation terminal when connected. Had mine over a year with no problems. Be sure to connect the alternator charging wire. I have one terminal charging the car battery and the other charging four batteries for my audio
855890
Oh, whoops. I used mine while the engine was running with no problems. My 12-volt ports aren't powered unless my car is at least in accessory mode.If you're really afraid of your battery dying, you're probably ok using it with your car on. Just wait until your car is started before plugging it in (to prevent a surge) and make sure your parking brake is engaged.
1373727
Disconnect ANY battery charger from the vehicle, before running the vehicle. Slamming the battery and most importantly the electronics of the auto with two different charging inputs, is not a healthy idea for those auto computers.
208711
Surely you have a car charger that you can plug into your vehicle's 12 VDC outlets. If the device (phone, etc.) is not showing that it is charging when the charger is plugged into an outlet, then turn on the key to verify that the charger is functional. If it charges only when the ignition is ON, then you have your answer.On my vehicle, the only outlet with power when the ignition is OFF is the one at the rear hatch.
1688825
No.If your car outlet connect straight to the battery you car record on parking lot,but you gonna kill battery.
2259581
All depends on how you connect it. If you are using the power ports in the car, some shut off when the vehicle is turned off some do not. Mine is wired directly to the battery.
1346759
I have mine directly wired to a heavy-gauge 12V cigarette lighter without a problem. To best protect your existing car wiring, though, I'd wire in a relay. It's not that much extra work and it keeps the load off the factory wiring..
1187556
No. The charger is only necessary if you pound your stereo hard at idle or with the car turned off. Once you take the battery below 12.6-12.8 static voltage from usage then it will need charging. If your plan is to put it up front as your starter battery then your completely fine since your alt charge will be enough to keep topping it off.
887545
Just to be safe, I'd also unplug it from the car. The unit has a cigarette plug, or direct to battery clips. I'm not sure why one would disconnect the electric.
735680
You have to ensure the internal battery is charged or ensure that you have a good connection to the vehicle power source. If you have the USB connector you can charge it that way, although I never have been able to operate solely on the battery for any length of time.