Keeping the 12V Battery Alive

I leave my car powered off and use a maintainer directly connected to the 14v battery Been working perfect since 2012

Mike

 

No, that is not possible. The only time that the power port and cigarette lighter plug are connected is when the car is in Accessory, Ignition On, or Ready mode. If the car is off, anything that is plugged in will neither draw power nor charge the battery.

If you want to keep the battery topped off, you'll need to connect either directly to the battery, or to some place where the battery is not disconnected when the car is off. Obviously, since the battery is fairly easily accessed, that's usually the preferable location.

Alternately, if you'll be gone for a while, you can get one of those portable jump start batteries and keep it in the car. If the car doesn't start when you return, you can hook the battery up if you need it.

 

thanks for the clear response!