Does this have a automatic overcharge protection feature so you can leave it plugged in at all times without worry so you have a full charge when a outage or storm hits ? That is a great feature on the competition . Just wondering this is coming up as a gold box special and I like having one with the inverter . They are handy . These are the best gifts for the kids or parents because they can sit in the trunk for a couple months in winter with a full charge and start the car in a emergency or at least power the phone if it is dead and you have the right cord. Does this have a automatic overcharge protection feature so you can leave it plugged in at all times without worry so you have a full charge when a outage or storm hits ? That is a great feature on... » Read More Does this have a automatic overcharge protection feature so you can leave it plugged in at all times without worry so you have a full charge when a outage or storm hits ? That is a great feature on the competition . Just wondering this is coming up as a gold box special and I like having one with the inverter . They are handy . These are the best gifts for the kids or parents because they can sit in the trunk for a couple months in winter with a full charge and start the car in a emergency or at least power the phone if it is dead and you have the right cord. « Show Less
1039259
Yes, it does have an automatic shut off circuit when using the AC charger. It does not have this feature when using the DC charger (Car charger).
1039260
Yes, it has overcharge protection when using AC. You can also recharge the unit using a DC to DC plug, which comes with the unit. However, that does NOT have overcharge protection. I love this thing, I bought it for camping with my CPAP device. When using DC, I can sleep 7-9 nights (approx 67 hrs) before needing a recharge. When using the inverter and AC, I got 4 nights (28 hrs) use of my CPAP. Really handy to have along on a camp out, especially since someone always needs a jump at the end.
1039261
yeah it shuts off when its done charging. little red light turns green when its finished.
1910774
The only time you have to worry about the device is if the car is taken into a shop for repair of engine issues. Brakes and tire rotation or oil changes are no problem. IF the engine is acting up, the technician will plug their computer into the socket. It does not drain the battery, it actually goes to sleep when there is no motion. I really recommend this, it gives my wife and I confidence that we know where our child is. The reporting is excellent. I recommend the "right angle extension cord", this allows you to put the OBD up in the back part of the dashboard. Use some black electrical tape to secure it. The only time you have to worry about the device is if the car is taken into a shop for repair of engine issues. Brakes and tire rotation or oil changes are no problem. IF the engine is acting up, the technician will plug their computer into the socket. It does not drain the battery, it actually goes to sleep when there is no motion. I really recommend this, it gives my wife and I confidence that we know where our child is. The reporting is excellent. I recommend the "right angle extension cord", this allows you to put the OBD up in the back part of the dashboard. Use some black... » Read More The only time you have to worry about the device is if the car is taken into a shop for repair of engine issues. Brakes and tire rotation or oil changes are no problem. IF the engine is acting up, the technician will plug their computer into the socket. It does not drain the battery, it actually goes to sleep when there is no motion. I really recommend this, it gives my wife and I confidence that we know where our child is. The reporting is excellent. I recommend the "right angle extension cord", this allows you to put the OBD up in the back part of the dashboard. Use some black electrical tape to secure it. « Show Less
852854
I would suspect it does not have overcharge or float mode to protect from overcharging. There are several out there that are made specifically for maintaining a full charged 12 Volt wet cell battery for around $10 to $15. I use one by Cen-Tech for an old Jeep I have to keep the battery charged.
1274033
I agree with what's been posted. I'd like to get it for a gift for someone, but have several unanswered questions. How long does it retain it's charge? How many times can it be used before being recharged (ie, can it jump start your car twice on the same day)? Does it have to be recharged by plugging it into a wall outlet, or can it be recharged though the car's cigarette lighter when the car is running normally (ie, the reverse of what it does to jump start the car)? Anyone know this stuff? :)
806710
I purchased mine in 2007 and only recharged when it dropped below the green (which was not often). I never had a problem getting the battery to charge to 100% until recently when I accidently hit the inverter ON switch before closing up the car and drained the battery. Now it will only charge a little over 50%. I primarily use this for the compressor although I will likely buy a replacement just for the peace of mind of having a jump start capability. I considered replacing the battery as well but figure it probably isn't worth the hassle, but if anybody tried it, let me know how it turned out! I purchased mine in 2007 and only recharged when it dropped below the green (which was not often). I never had a problem getting the battery to charge to 100% until recently when I accidently hit the inverter ON switch before closing up the car and drained the battery. Now it will only charge a little over 50%. I primarily use this for the compressor although I will likely buy a replacement just for the peace of mind of having a jump start capability. I considered replacing the battery as well but figure it probably isn't worth the hassle, but if anybody tried it, let me know how it turned... » Read More I purchased mine in 2007 and only recharged when it dropped below the green (which was not often). I never had a problem getting the battery to charge to 100% until recently when I accidently hit the inverter ON switch before closing up the car and drained the battery. Now it will only charge a little over 50%. I primarily use this for the compressor although I will likely buy a replacement just for the peace of mind of having a jump start capability. I considered replacing the battery as well but figure it probably isn't worth the hassle, but if anybody tried it, let me know how it turned out! « Show Less
1552154
That's a good question. It stays on all the time, and seems to be indicative of whether the charger itself is getting power, not whether your device is fully charged. I have not been able to decipher whether it actually stops sending power to your device when the device is charged, so for that reason, would not buy it if that's the most important feature to you. However, it could work great for a night light for travel!
678798
I know it holds a charge if turned off for awhile, but not sure it charges in the off position..It's winter so I haven't had it on for awhile...I think the system is great except for refilling the compartment all the time...They can't make the storage any greater due to weight, but still a pain....The system itself seems to work great and worth the money....
862624
I believe it was advertised as having this feature, but it doesn't seem to work that way. It does reconnect with your phone automatically when you re-enter the car if you leave it on, but it wore the battery down the one time I left it on for more than a day. Also, if I park the car in the garage, the BlueAnt answers incoming calls in the car when I and the phone are in the house and if I try to make a call from inside the house the outgoing call goes through the BlueAnt, so I have to turn it off manually when I am at home.
4535
Difficult question. Full charge while playing radio soft? Loud? In the sunshine? In the dark? Charging other devices? With an occasional crank of the charger? Absolutely refusing ever to to crank the charger? I've never let mine fully run out, but the answer is that unless you're completely incapacitated, it's totally simple to keep it going, given all the options that are available to you.
2036798
You dont have to turn it on and off every time you get in and out the car, unless you plan to be out of your car for long period of time like work, gym, ect.. After so many hours it will turn itsself off to conserve the battery, and you will have to turn it back on. Just make sure you have your Bluetooth connected to it at all times while in and out of your car and remember to keep it charged for optimum usage. It sounds great in the car and is very convenient. The only thing I dont like is when you have to answer the phone...me personally I dont like to answer the phone via Bluetooth. Other than that its a great product. I have 2, one for home and another for my car.
1171042
I haven't used it for the Spark, but it's probably overkill just as it is for my Nissan Leaf. I bought it anyway because my Leaf is leased. I reasoned that I may as well wire in something powerful enough for a likely more powerful charger in the next generation EV when my Leaf lease is up. I tend to lean toward overkill when it comes to technology, but I don't usually advise others to do the same. It's often cheaper to get what you need now and buy the upgrade later when you can really use it. Plus, a lower power charge station will still do just fine charging an EV with a higher capacity charger. Just not quite as fast. Happy charging whatever you decide!
178503
The instructions say that that is what the "Auto" on position is for but a little further down the page they also recommend turning the unit off when it is left unattended. I personally always put the unit in the off position, to avoid possible issue incase a real idiot bends over it wearing a neck tie and accidentally activates it, or spills liquid into it and sparks an electrical fire in a bin filled with finely shredded paper and paper dust. Odds of it happening, very unlikely, but have you ever read the Darwin Awards?
1356579
You can't prevent this of course, and most certainly the device warning you is likely the device causing the issue. That said if this is a concern for you and you are willing to invest a bit more you can install a remote start alarm with the cellular service add-on. If I am out for an extended period of time and should I receive an alert I can remotely start the car and let the battery charge back up. Not the cheapest approach but it works.
382308
I am told it worked fine, I sent it to my nephews. I do know that it does not need to be charged it should work the moment it is plugged in. BUT the whole thing is one circuit. If one piece is not properly connected the whole thing will stop. Make sure each piece of track is connected properly and and everything is correctly plugged in. The only issue I was told of is that the 5 year old got a little frustrated the first time as the cars came off on each turn. When the 4 year old tried rather than pulling the trigger all the way down he pushed it down less, which makes the cars slower so it stays on the track. Once they realized they needed to slow down in the turns they fell in love with it. I am told it worked fine, I sent it to my nephews. I do know that it does not need to be charged it should work the moment it is plugged in. BUT the whole thing is one circuit. If one piece is not properly connected the whole thing will stop. Make sure each piece of track is connected properly and and everything is correctly plugged in. The only issue I was told of is that the 5 year old got a little frustrated the first time as the cars came off on each turn. When the 4 year old tried rather than pulling the trigger all the way down he pushed it down less, which makes the cars slower so it... » Read More I am told it worked fine, I sent it to my nephews. I do know that it does not need to be charged it should work the moment it is plugged in. BUT the whole thing is one circuit. If one piece is not properly connected the whole thing will stop. Make sure each piece of track is connected properly and and everything is correctly plugged in. The only issue I was told of is that the 5 year old got a little frustrated the first time as the cars came off on each turn. When the 4 year old tried rather than pulling the trigger all the way down he pushed it down less, which makes the cars slower so it stays on the track. Once they realized they needed to slow down in the turns they fell in love with it. « Show Less
1503576
I bought it to maintain charge on a battery over the winter. The green light soon came on and I assume it is maintaining a charged condition. I won't really know until I put the battery in the car when the weather improves and see if it starts up okay. Quick charging was not a factor in my purchase decision. Maintaining a charged condition was the main consideration.
1638106
There is a cutoff and I believe that the unit automatically dissipates the charge slightly if the batteries are left in the unit beyond the charge up time.The marketing blurb states " Automatically protects against overcharge and short circuit." The only danger I remember is in leaving the unit on with no batteries in it at all.
918110
I actually use an Energizer charger for my Eneloops. And, yes, it is a smart charger in that it stops charging when the battery is "full".And, as far as shelf life. My kids use them for their gaming controllers and swap the batt's in charger when it's time. I use them in my digital camera and don't have to worry about the battery being dead after sitting for month. I keep a new set in the bag just in case they do die on me. I also use them in my remote controls.I would not recommend their use in smoke detectors, clock radios, or anything that will put a continual and uninterrupted drain on them. Those are what alkaline batteries are for. I actually use an Energizer charger for my Eneloops. And, yes, it is a smart charger in that it stops charging when the battery is "full".And, as far as shelf life. My kids use them for their gaming controllers and swap the batt's in charger when it's time. I use them in my digital camera and don't have to worry about the battery being dead after sitting for month. I keep a new set in the bag just in case they do die on me. I also use them in my remote controls.I would not recommend their use in smoke detectors, clock radios, or anything that will put a... » Read More I actually use an Energizer charger for my Eneloops. And, yes, it is a smart charger in that it stops charging when the battery is "full".And, as far as shelf life. My kids use them for their gaming controllers and swap the batt's in charger when it's time. I use them in my digital camera and don't have to worry about the battery being dead after sitting for month. I keep a new set in the bag just in case they do die on me. I also use them in my remote controls.I would not recommend their use in smoke detectors, clock radios, or anything that will put a continual and uninterrupted drain on them. Those are what alkaline batteries are for. « Show Less