Originally posted by MTFD17:
If I install a DC trickle charger (any type) in my car. Will it use so much juice such that my car will not be able to start? Is there any regulating circuitry?
-ERiC
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Have no worry about draining excessive juice from your battery. Most people don't realize how much capacity a car battery has. Mid-sized cars usually have around a 70Ah 12V battery. That's a huge amount of power. It would take a very very long time of constant draw from the charger to bring down the battery. We're talking weeks. Be aware though that on normal car batteries(Non deep-cycle or gel cell), you shouldn't drain the battery down too far. It will severely shorten the life of the battery.
If you have a car that's started and run at least every few days then there's nothing to worry about.
Voltage regulation is done by a special circuit in the alternator assembly(on newer cars) and supposedly spikes are dealt with by the battery(acts as kind of a filter). No worries in this department.
You'll be fine, go ahead and install the charger.
Also, whether your cigerette or "power point" socket has power without the keys depends on your car. On my Toyota, for example, if there's the key isn't turned to ACC, there's no power. However on my friend's Chevy Cheyenne 1500 there is power even when the key is totally pulled out.
-tibim