Can I leave this plugged in? Or do I have to remove it every time I shut off the car? Will it drain the battery while car is not in use?
1610854
I remove it every time, i don't think that this units will drain you battery.
697004
It does not contain a battery at all so never is charged. It must be plugged into the 12V socket to run. It will not drain your car battery if left plugged in while the vehicle is turned off. You simply plug one end into the 12V socket and the other end (1/8" jack) into your audio device. Then you tune and it works.
1790863
Yes, you leave it plugged in all the time. I have had the unit for four months and it has been working fine. I have not had a problem with my car battery since I installed it. Hope you have the same results.
1205671
No, It will not drain your battery and just to be on the safe side its better to keep your car running. If your car has an old battery then run the goddam engine. If you are stupid enough not to run it while your battery needs juice .. Just call AAA !!! ERGO use common sense while you use electronic devises that uses electricity. Har har har !!!
1790861
Unplug it when you start the car. States a power surge could ruin the internals of the panel if left plugged in while engine is running/charging. Plug it in to charge when vehicle won't be driven for awhile. Unplug it before starting the car.
2267850
No, you don't have to unplug it and as long as no devices are plugged in the battery will not drain. Be sure you have the cover closed to protect it from accidental shorts due to water, debris, etc.
418425
It depends on how your car is wired. If you have a iPhone charger for your cigarette lighter, try charging the iPhone while your car is turned off. If it does, then yes anything you plug into that outlet will drain the battery when the cars off.
1408761
Yes I leave it plugged in all the time but of course when the car is off it is not providing ant power.
1248814
You don't leave it in the vehicle. After you are done programming your vehicle, you unplug it.
2181147
You can leave it plugged in but cannot leave the ON button on. I did that with my first Shark 12 Volt Hand vacuum and it burned out and was not usable anymore. I could have tried to purchase a New battery but found one at Amazon which was cheaper than the battery. Hope this helps.
1417771
Actually, with what these pull. You could leave it plugged in for years. Matter fact, your battery is more likely to drain of natural drain before this takes anything out of it. I own a battery terminal with a LED voltage display and I leave my race car untouched for a year or two and it doesn't drain it a bit. BTD048 Caliber Positive Battery Terminal Post with Digital Voltage Meter Display accepts (2) 8Ga Inputs, (1) 4Ga Input, (1) 0Ga Input
229812
You can leave it plugged in but be aware that due to the budget construction it has minimal protective circuitry and could have a short lifespan running constantly, and that many vehicles have powered OBD ports when not running so it will gradually drain your battery. Estimates for current vary but are generally between 50mA and 100mA which isn't a lot but is enough I wouldn't leave it plugged in for more than a few days without running the vehicle to keep the battery charge level acceptable.
1368126
If you hook this up, with a device connected to it all the time, yes as long as there is power to it all the time, it will drain the battery. The drop in voltage would depend upon what is connected to it and what the draw rate of that item is. When you hook this up to the fuse panel you will need to be on a circuit with a minimum of a 10amp fuse. You will also need to find a circuit that turns off by the ignition switch when the key is removed, or you will need to unplug your device to eliminate the draw of voltage by the device plugged in to this cord. If that doesn't help then re-read this answer until you understand it. ++ ~Automotive Technician~ specializing in Automotive Electrical Circuits ++ If you hook this up, with a device connected to it all the time, yes as long as there is power to it all the time, it will drain the battery. The drop in voltage would depend upon what is connected to it and what the draw rate of that item is. When you hook this up to the fuse panel you will need to be on a circuit with a minimum of a 10amp fuse. You will also need to find a circuit that turns off by the ignition switch when the key is removed, or you will need to unplug your device to eliminate the draw of voltage by the device plugged in to this cord. If that doesn't help then re-read... » Read More If you hook this up, with a device connected to it all the time, yes as long as there is power to it all the time, it will drain the battery. The drop in voltage would depend upon what is connected to it and what the draw rate of that item is. When you hook this up to the fuse panel you will need to be on a circuit with a minimum of a 10amp fuse. You will also need to find a circuit that turns off by the ignition switch when the key is removed, or you will need to unplug your device to eliminate the draw of voltage by the device plugged in to this cord. If that doesn't help then re-read this answer until you understand it. ++ ~Automotive Technician~ specializing in Automotive Electrical Circuits ++ « Show Less
884816
Depends on if the 12 volt outlet is constant or switched. If it is always on when the car is off and you will be away from the car for more than a few hours it should be unplugged as it has a minor current draw.
2160546
No, don't leave it plugged in. It will drain the battery. The green light is cool but it drains the battery slowly but surely.
453118
Yes, I leave mine plugged in all the time. It stays quite cool when not use.
1421622
I do not know from personal experience the answer and we did not leave it plugged in at night but depending on the temperature in the car the unit holds a cool temperature very well and we often left it for 6 to 8 hours disconnected because I had a borrowed car and was afraid it might draw down the battery. We really liked the unit. It is ideal for a road trip.