Does this have to stay plugged into car to work? Or, once charged, can I bring in the house to power small items during a power outage?
503187
There is no battery pack in this unit. It connects to a car battery via the cigarette lighter plug or clips onto the battery leads. The cigarette lighter plug is only for lower wattage usage,follow the instructions provided. It converts the car battery into household current so the converter has to be connected to a 12 volt car battery to use it. It does not replace a generator. Hope this helps, Aloha from Hawaii!!!!
503188
You can move it around as much as you'd like! I used to have a smaller 200 watt inverter that I dragged back and forth between the house and my car without a problem. Just make sure it's turned off when you're ready to unplug it and don't plug it in to another source unless the unit is switched to off.
503189
It does not retain power so yes u have to keep it plugged to a power supply in order to power anything
503190
it has to be plugged into a 12v dc power source, like your car cigarette lighter, or with the direct to battery connections supplied with the inverter. it will not work unless it is connected to power.
503191
There is no battery pack in this unit. It connects to a car battery via the cigarette lighter plug or clips onto the battery leads. The cigarette lighter plug is only for lower wattage usage,follow the instructions provided.It converts the car battery into household current so the converter has to be connected to a 12 volt car battery to use it. It does not replace a generator. Hope this helps, Aloha from Hawaii!!!!
503192
It must be plugged in to work. It is an inverter, not a portable power pack.
1963284
is this item rechargeable? or do i have to always plug it in to operate... hoping for a speedy reply... thanks...
531983
Have to have it charged. And it will only go off when you get the programmed area alert. (You have to put in your area). Works great. After a lot of severe storms in my area, I was able to take this with me anywhere in the house as I needed.
911871
First it has to be plugged in to an outlet that works...second I live in Florida and it does not work if its hot in the car....sucks
114918
I have tried it both ways, but it always seemed that when I left it unplugged and needed it, there was no power. Now I leave it plugged in all the time. However, probably like other devices of this nature, it might be a good idea to let it run out occasionally and recharge.
692505
Hi Mark-yes it does stay on when not plugged into a device. I unplug mine when I leave the car b/c I don't want my kids to decide it's theirs b/c it's unattended! I don't know of any converter that turns itself off.
418424
Assuming your car doesn't send power to the 12v outlet when it is off (and most don't) it won't drain your battery. I left mine plugged in until it died and never had any issues.
2227836
I have had no issues with drainage of power. I keep the device in my car and purse. Seems to stay charged for days when not in use. Hope this helps. I love this device!!! Just make sure you buy the adapter, because it doesn't come with the purchase.
1823746
it plugs in, and recharges. I put them in 4 rooms and don't use unless power goes out.
668881
It came with a car adapter to plug in to the car outlet. It isn't the typical hous plug or anything, no additional items needed. If your missing it, you have a defective product. Thing is you have to plug it in every time you want to use it and you have to unplug when done.
1472485
It can be plugged in at home to recharge or in most all electrical outlets anywhere. It really comes in handy when a jump is needed. Have used ours several times, when wiring in my car kept pulling the batteries power down and killing it! finally is fixed, but still keep it charged and in car when traveling because you just never know! Hopefully this answers your question. JWA
127462
I've never had to charge it from my car. I keep it constantly charged, in the house, for just in case I should ever need it. I can tell you that to charge my phone on it, it's rather quick. I'm happy with it. I've had it for a couple of years now and it has worked so well for, that I'm thinking of buying one for my daughter. As for the car charger, I've never had to charge it from the car. I've just kept it plugged in, inside the house. I don't want to be caught during a power outage, with no way to charge my phone.
503416
You *can* keep it plugged in, but it's not good for the battery. It's better to charge it, then let it run on battery. It warns you about 9 days before the battery goes (when you go to take your temp in the morning, you get a "BA09"... the next day "BA08" etc. But it still functions on those days. I think I charge mine overnight about once a month? So, you COULD leave it plugged in, and it would still function, but my understanding is that you'll reduce the longevity of the machine. (When you need to rely on the battery, the battery life might be compromised.)
2550
Yes for sure. Seems like if it's on and I plug it in that it turns off and I need to turn it on again but other than that quirk it charges in car usb outlet, iphone charger plug, any usb outlet that has power.
2125338
It must be plugged in to charge up. After it is all charged up it does not have to be plugged in to work. And, works very well. Read directions before using though.
1284957
It is powered with a USB cable and plug that they provide. You can leave it plugged in all the time or let it run off the internal battery and just plug it in to recharge the battery. Some functionality is sacrificed if run off battery power to conserve power. I'm going to see if I can cut off one end of the usb cable and permanently wire it into the vehicle.
2000505
Ella, you can leave it plugged in in definitely. With that said, if your going out of town, or won't be using it for awhile, I would suggest unplugging it, just to be on the safe side. One more suggestion... I would use a surge protector at all times on any electrical devices such as this one. Please know, that I did not like mine and it did not work for my needs. I am still awaiting Amazon to pick it up and refund my account. That being said, if it works for you, and you like it, then by all means, keep it and use it. I hope this information helped helped you out? If I can be of further help, feel free to ask any questions. I'll help if I can. Thank you, $BILL Ella, you can leave it plugged in in definitely. With that said, if your going out of town, or won't be using it for awhile, I would suggest unplugging it, just to be on the safe side. One more suggestion... I would use a surge protector at all times on any electrical devices such as this one. Please know, that I did not like mine and it did not work for my needs. I am still awaiting Amazon to pick it up and refund my account. That being said, if it works for you, and you like it, then by all means, keep it and use it. I hope this information helped helped you out? If I can be of further... » Read More Ella, you can leave it plugged in in definitely. With that said, if your going out of town, or won't be using it for awhile, I would suggest unplugging it, just to be on the safe side. One more suggestion... I would use a surge protector at all times on any electrical devices such as this one. Please know, that I did not like mine and it did not work for my needs. I am still awaiting Amazon to pick it up and refund my account. That being said, if it works for you, and you like it, then by all means, keep it and use it. I hope this information helped helped you out? If I can be of further help, feel free to ask any questions. I'll help if I can. Thank you, $BILL « Show Less