When charging in the car via the DC plug, should the engine be running?
1018810
As a rule yes. Many things are charged, these days from cigar-lighter sockets, in cars. Most of them have minimal or only moderate drain. The danger is things left plugged in and forgotten about, which, over time, can flatten down a car-battery enough to make winter cold-starts difficult. There has been a minor problem with me using these 'Wasabi' batteries, in that my Panasonic camcorder carries a warning-message in the finder to the effect that they are 'not compatible'. In the event of that happening, I simply switch of the camcorder and restart it again, from its power switch. Normally, that will not repeat in a filming session. Apart from that, fine; I am getting plenty of use out of my 'Wasabis'.
1408756
Yes. But if you are asking if it will charge your devices without the motor running, that would depend on whether or not your car's power outlet is wired directly to the battery or to the ignition circuit. The latter would require the key to be in the "on" position.
1933991
Hi Claire, When using it in the car, it runs on 12 volt DC, which is the same as what your car provides. When in transit, only use 12 volt. It comes with a plug that fits into your cigarette lighter. When it runs on propane, there is a small flame, so when it is operating on propane always use proper ventilation. Also, it will run on household current too. Thank you!
596204
Yes, this is intended to remain connected to a battery 24/7 (whether in a car or out of a car) and it begins charging the battery when solar power is available and the battery voltage is 13V or less, then once the battery voltage is raised to 14V (showing it is charged) it will stop the charging. If you will be connecting a solar panel thru a lighter plug in a car (which seems to be the easiest place), I hope the lighter remains "on" without the keys in the ignition (otherwise your "charge" power will not be getting thru to the battery making putting all of this together pointless). If you were to start a car with the panels connected up, the panels may send their rated power to help start the car (during good daylight), but they won't put out any "extra" power (they are not a battery that "store up" power or such, they just give you what they can). Once the car is started, the car alternator should instantly recharge the batteries and the green light on this should instantly come on (showing that solar power is blocked).
1408760
In my Chevy pickup the plug is always hot, even with the key out of the ignition. So with a device plugged into the charger it will pull some power. Also the charger by itself will burn a tiny amount of power since it is converting DC voltage. This loss is tiny compared to a car battery but is an additional load if you don't run the car for an extended period. Its surprising how all the loads can add up and eventually deaden the battery.
2025371
It runs on Electricy or off the cigarette lighter plug in a car,,,,,,,,,, So that is of no need to know
2020365
Looks like they are referring to the DC charging input on the i2 charger. I never had a problem, and this type of plug/socket arrangement (coaxial plug & socket) can be deceiving. As long as the plug is not to loose and does not have to be forced in, and it works, it should give reliable service.
826581
Yes, at 13.8 volts DC when your car is running. With engine off battery voltage is lower and so less power.
1321447
I believe there is an electrical component between the plugs .. this takes care of the signal the car needs to see to charge properly..
2234220
Thats odd. I had no such issue. I would have a look on Google and see if there are any forums that show such issues with your car / model. Did you start car before plugging in? What happens then?
1357601
The battery is sufficiently charged when installed. When you start the car, the battery should charge normally. I have had no problems with the battery.
1159792
That depends entirely on your car. The outlet in your car determines whether power goes to the device or not. Not the device.
1627210
The only way I know to charge this is to plug it into a 120 volt line. But I can tell you that it has worked when other smaller chargers would not start an engine. The other day I helped out a workman whose truck battery would not start, and the small unit he had would not turn the engine fast enough, or supply the amperage for the system. I hooked this monster up and the truck started in one second.
851280
yes I prefer it that way. Their is no on and off switch on the unit. You can turn off the breaker but that too will cause it to recycle the settings every time it starts back up. The factory told me to leave it plugged in and it will learn your car and its charging system. The unit only supplies the voltage and amperage to the car. The car is actually the charger for it or has a charger built into it right in the line from the plug in for the charger cord to plug into.It is nice to have the car charged in a little over an hour.
1068088
It would appear that there is a constant power connection. My iPhone is able to charge when my car is off.
1801438
No! It plugs into a 12volt outlet and uses the battery that starts your engine.
362912
No. The adapter plug inserts into car cigarette lighter which draws power from the car battery.