chope97
Well-Known Member
I use voltmeter phone changers in all my cars to keep an eye on my alternator. It has saved me from getting stranded from a completed discharged battery. Amazon has all kinds this is just an example.
Voltmeter phone charger
- Thread starter chope97
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Interesting.... Seems to be a decent (and easy) way to monitor the volts.....
I took the brute force method and installed a voltmeter (and oil pressure gauge) when I restored the car... using a repurposed fuel/temp gauge installed in place of the clock (using Paul Cain's car as an inspiration).
Kinda slick (the cell phone charger way)....
I took the brute force method and installed a voltmeter (and oil pressure gauge) when I restored the car... using a repurposed fuel/temp gauge installed in place of the clock (using Paul Cain's car as an inspiration).
Kinda slick (the cell phone charger way)....
While that thing may provide information on the state of your battery, if it has a USB port, it also contains circuitry that draws power on a constant basis. This will act as a parasitic battery drain.
Doesn't it only drain the battery if the contact is on? I was under the impression, but don't really know for sure, that the cigarette lighter was only getting 12V when the ignition is ON or with motor running. Not with the key out.
chope97
Well-Known Member
I usually pull it out when I am not going to be driving the car for a couple of weeks. I also switched to AGM batteries that stay charged much longer than my old batteries
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chope97
Well-Known Member
I think you are right
The lighter is always on, even the USB port in my x3 is like that.