12v Heaters – Will They Drain Your Battery?
What's worse than having no heat in your car?
Having no power at all, because you totally drained the battery with your 12v heaters (combined defrosting devices and heated car seat covers. And what the heck...maybe portable drink warmer, iPod fm transmitter, cell phone charger, etc.).
12 Heaters WILL drain the juice....
Unfortunately, using 12v heaters (especially along with other devices) means a drain on your car battery. No getting around it--so it's best just to be aware and monitor your battery charge. How can you solve the problem of always wondering whether your portable car heater solutions are draining the juice out of your battery?
A Free Battery Drain Calculator. Know how much energy 12v heaters actually use.
Well, first of all, it's nice to have some idea how to calculate the battery usage of 12v heaters. Here's a handy calculator to help you do that: http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/sports-imports/BatterydrainCalc.html
Batter Charge Light Indicator
Secondly, it helps to have a light indicator on your cigarette lighter socket adapter.
This is my favorite product for helping to keep an eye on battery charge: the Wagan 3-way Socket Adapter:
| Wagan Tri-Way Socket |
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Overall Rating: |
| Retail Price: $14.95 |
| Amazon Price: $8.41 |
Other solutions for keeping an eye on those 12v heaters
1. Limit the number of devices you keep plugged in when you are not using your car.
2. Limit the number of devices you keep plugged in when you ARE using your car. Only keep stuff plugged in if you are actually using it.
3. There are also battery checking devices you can buy--but my favorite way of doing things is always to combine multiple functions in one small, inexpensive gadget.
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