Does charging it in a car risk depleting the car battery? Or if the car is running is that risk solved by the alternator?
1244096
It will draw power from the car battery but the alternator will recharge it fine. Only issue would be if you recharged it a few times without running you car. Then you might have to get your car jumped!
1244097
i am not a mechanic, nor electrical engineer, however, I doubt that the current required to charge this unit will do any harm to the battery. For a more qualified answer, you might check with your mechanic or dealer that sells auto batteries.
1244098
Having the engine running is best so you're creating power (not just sharing from one battery to another) and the alternator should provide enough power to charge this and keep the car battery charged (especially if you are going down the road so the engine isn't just idling), but there are some situation where you can drain the car battery. If you were camping and just had the car idling with the headlights on, you can end up draining more power then the alternator is producing, so you don't want things like the headlights on if you're idling for long (or else you may want to raise the engine rpm since spinning it faster does make it give you more power). Also if you're using a device like the Wagan 9796 "jumper" as your way of connecting it to the car, that device actually "pumps" power from the source battery into the "dead" one where it can drain the car battery to recharge this (especially if you don't have the engine going). That device also doesn't limit the voltage (bringing it up to 16-17V which is considered "overcharging" most batteries), so you don't want to use that for very long. Other cables like the Clore ESA1 with male lighter plugs on each end (but no "power pump" box in the middle) will connect the batteries together and transfer power between them (where I think of that like connecting 2 buckets of water together with a hose where the levels just balance since nothing is "pumped"). That may take a bit longer, but is less risky from no chances of the "overcharging".
1069733
If it doesn't burn your car up first. mine melted down and burned up the truck wiring. Your battery should be charging if the car is on. Sounds like an alternator issue
943267
It will not overcharge a large battery as in a car. It can be plugged in all the time as it has an diode to protect reverse flow of electricity. No it does not have a charge control, but the amperage is to low to overcharge a large battery.
2165265
YES. Although I've never used this while charging in a car, I don't see why that form of use/charging would be any different from use/charging while at home (i.e., plugged into an AC wall outlet). I routinely use this while it's plugged-in and charging. Although it seems to hold a charge for MANY days, if not months, when not in use.....I most often have not used it in a while, so that when I do use it, I charge it at the same time so that by the time I'm finished...it's also fully charged. Hope this helps.
1204026
Yes you can, but my advice is to let your alternator keep it charged. It'll save time and be more efficient for you.
1070018
Good question! You can charge using the car's battery for power, but the ignition key will need to be in the "accessory" position (engine not running). However, the mfg. recommends you start the engine every few few hours to charge the car's battery up again. If the car's battery drains down to 10.5 volts (12 volts is full charge), the Energizer will shut itself off. Hope this helps.Bill R.
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.
1563983
No, Open circuit means it is disconnected or has no load. When you hook it up to your battery or a load it will only charge until there is no differnence in potential (Voltage) at a maximum rate of 5Watts. Your car's alternator charging system uses about 15.5V to charge your battery when the car is running and a fully charged battery will reach about 13.5V. Also note that the voltages are maximums (so when it a full sun exposure). I have this device and with direct sun I can charge 2 cell phones, not too bad
266673
Your battery by itself will produce a lower voltage than the alternator of your running car. When voltage drops, amperage draw goes up. At best this can result in a blown fuse. At worst, this can burn out the windings in the compressor motor sooner. Most higher draw car electronics are designed and optimized with a running vehicle in mind. I would recommend starting the car for the best protection of the compressor, your fuses, and your battery, as well as better performance.
1375262
When the car is not running the battery has an output of around 12v. When it is running and charging the battery is around 14v. There is a lead you attach to the positive side of the battery and it senses that extra 2v. But mine stopped working after only two months. I wouldn't trust it.
1563979
No, Open circuit means it is disconnected or has no load. When you hook it up to your battery or a load it will only charge until there is no differnence in potential (Voltage) at a maximum rate of 5Watts. Your car's alternator charging system uses about 15.5V to charge your battery when the car is running and a fully charged battery will reach about 13.5V. Also note that the voltages are maximums (so when it a full sun exposure).I have this device and with direct sun I can charge 2 cell phones, not too bad
780567
No, you do not. It is recommended to install an AGM type battery with this excellent alternator but, not necessary. Any excess current is shunted away from the charging circuit. Same as with your original battery which also over-produced at higher RPMs.
1087771
You should never leave electronic devices (charging or otherwise) plugged into receptacles that power them when engine isn't running.. You wouldn't leave yourheadlights on with the engine off would you. They allare drawing power, energy from the car battery when the alternator isn't charging it up.
358479
Well, when you are driving, you alternator will charge the battery, and the draw is small, so there is no issue. It does have an auto shut off, however.
1984843
i understand battery charger should not be wired to the battery while the vehicle is in use. good luck.
1930578
It will drain your battery very quickly when the car is off. The alternator should help
1788949
If you have a VERY old car, it may still drain the battery. But, then, if your car is that old (like mine was), anything plugged in to the socket regardless of power draw may drain the battery.