can i leave this plugged in all winter to keep my batteries up?
576700
I believe so. According to the manual, "after 24 hours, the charger automatically turns off and a Green light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is in long term Maintenance Mode and ready to use. The charger will automatically turn on when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V." If you are using batteries that are "water filled", make sure water covers the plates inside the battery. If not, you need to add distilled water to the batteries and make sure it just covers the plates inside. I would check the batteries on occasion to make sure they are not hot to the touch. I am very pleased with the MK 315D and keep it plugged in after every trip and only disconnect it when I go out again.
576701
I believe so. According to the manual, "after 24 hours, the charger automatically turns off and a Green light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is in long term Maintenance Mode and ready to use. The charger will automatically turn on when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V." If you are using batteries that are "water filled", make sure water covers the plates inside the battery. If not, you need to add distilled water to the batteries and make sure it just covers the plates inside. I would check the batteries on occasion to make sure they are not hot to the touch. I am very pleased with the MK 315D and keep it plugged in after every trip and only disconnect it when I go out again. I believe so. According to the manual, "after 24 hours, the charger automatically turns off and a Green light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is in long term Maintenance Mode and ready to use. The charger will automatically turn on when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V." If you are using batteries that are "water filled", make sure water covers the plates inside the battery. If not, you need to add distilled water to the batteries and make sure it just covers the plates inside. I would check the batteries on occasion to make sure they are not hot to the... » Read More I believe so. According to the manual, "after 24 hours, the charger automatically turns off and a Green light is lit for each bank to indicate the battery is in long term Maintenance Mode and ready to use. The charger will automatically turn on when the battery voltage drops below 12.6V." If you are using batteries that are "water filled", make sure water covers the plates inside the battery. If not, you need to add distilled water to the batteries and make sure it just covers the plates inside. I would check the batteries on occasion to make sure they are not hot to the touch. I am very pleased with the MK 315D and keep it plugged in after every trip and only disconnect it when I go out again. « Show Less
2206614
If the temp. rises too much the battery may overheat and boil away the electrolite. I would think that it should be turned off if the temp. stays above freezing for several hours I turn mine on at night and off in the morning if the temp. during .the day will be warner than 32 degrees.
1260962
I assume that would be ok, just keep it out of the weather. I leave mine plugged in for long periods of time, but mine is indoors.
543310
I know if you leave it plugged in all the time it can end up ruining the battery. But if that is not the case then I would contact the manufacturer.
797794
It depends on the temperature. If your car is outside and the temp is below freezing you could keep it plugged in but you dont want it plugged in unless the air temperature calls for it. My useage is less extreme. I'm usually parked in a garage and the temperature "usually" stays above about 40 degrees in an average winter. So, in an average winter I would probably not plug it in at all. Last year was very cold; there were several weeks where the temperature was closer to 25 degrees in the garage and several times I couldn't park in the garage and the car was outside at about -10 degrees. Those kind of temperatures can really wonk-out a car battery. I had some starting problems and decided to get this heater ready for this year. This heat strap is kinda an insurance policy for out of the average temperatures that may occur this year. Guess what, I'm already using it. The temperature is 20 degrees below average today, 5 degrees F this morning and my car is sitting in the driveway because of a project in the garage.
1292758
Yep, I've had mine running all winter long. The unit itself doesn't get hot and once the room reaches the desired temp (set by you) it goes into power save mode.
134773
No. But you can take the batteries out and flip them over to store them without draining power.
1369975
Yes you can. I leave mine hooked up to my bass boat - charging the trolling motor battery as well as the main battery. I leave it plugged in all year, and only unplug it when I get time 2-3 times a year to use my boat. I store the boat in a non-temperature controlled sea container - and I live near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Winter temps can drop down to -45 C (-49 F)
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.
1248159
I usually turn it off during the night but you don't have too. I just do it to unplug electrical items. It words really well. Small but makes lots of ice.
579711
We bring it in every time, but it would be fine in the cold if you remove the battery. It isn't good for in the snow, but works fine if parking lots have been plowed well.
2070139
Yes. In fact, the instructions say this charger is ideally suited for maintaining the battery during cold weather. Most electrical devices (in general) produce a little heat as electricity passes through. During normal operations you will feel this unit get a little warm to the touch. This is normal. Colder weather is actually better for this charger because it helps keep the unit cool, thus extending the life of the charger. Excessive heat is an enemy to electrical circuits, as it is with rechargable batteries and most other things. When computers were first used, they were kept in refrigerated rooms to keep the circuits cool, otherwise, the heat generated would burn the computers up very quickly. The same goes with most electronics. The cooler the unit, the better off you are. I use my Schumacher SE-1-12S year round (especially during the winter months). Be careful never to attempt to charge any battery that is frozen, however. If the battery fluid (electrolyte) is frozen, bring battery into warm area to thaw before charging. Finally, do not expose charger to rain or snow. Hope this helps. Alex, Griffin, GA.
1319275
I cannot imagine leaving it plugged in outside but if your concern is the flexibility of the cord, it should be fine. I leave mine plugged in an unheated garage. While it is slightly less flexible than during the summer, it is still far more usable than most cords. I cannot speak to the safety of leaving a cord plugged in outside all winter.
1015333
This is a high voltage product, so I would not recommend leaving the plug laying outside. I have mine in my garage and I have my EV outside. I plug it in at night and close the door on the cord. In the morning, I roll the cord up and plug it back into the charger.
828761
Yes, you can leave it plugged in but it's a bit of a phantom drain. I have read where some fleet operators just leave a bank of them plugged in all of the time. But why pay for the electricity? I charge mine every thirty days (it's right on my bench) and it never falls below 100%.
1236162
No, but that's why I bought it.The other units I had required frequent battery changes. I have this in my garage and it worked all winter (-20 and worse temps)!
1846372
Hello Robert, I'm not sure about these li-ion batteries they are relatively new. However, since they are used extensively by e-car manufacturers, who sell to customers in all climates, I'd say they are okay to leave in your garage during the cold months. Another thought would be to just bring them in the house since they are so small (?) Good question tho, most of us have probably not thought of this.