Bluetooth ODBII dongle question

[QueBert]

I started using mine again today, I have Torque on my phone set up to monitor and display all sorts of useless shit. Any ways, when I exit Torque it displays a reminder for me to unplug the dongle. I Googled this and didn't really find anything helpful. I know when my cars off the lights on the dongle blinks randomly, I guess looking for a BT connection? Any ways is there any reason I shouldn't leave it plugged in? Not that is should matter, but it's an ELM327

 

[fralexandr]

The newer versions of the ELM327 (1.4b and newer, 1.4b has probably been out since at least early 2012) have low power drain/idle modes (~50mA @ 12V). Older ones could be problematic if left in (though drain rates are pretty low anyway, I think some of them approach 1-2w).
http://www.elmelectronics.com/obdic.html#ELM327

Some cars turn off the OBDII port 10-30 seconds after engine off.

edit: Thus I suppose, the older ones could drain a car battery in ~2 days, vs the newer ones in ~8 if my calculations are correct (based on a 12v, 40Ah battery, 75% required to crank) assuming no other source of phantom drain

 

[QueBert]

thanks for the post, I'll leave my car off and check to see see if the lights still are still blinking after a minute. I don't see any model # so I'll have to dig around to figure out which reversion I have.

 

[shortylickens]

After some battery issues recently I started unplugging the unit.

 

[DaTT]

My OBD port is in such a place that it's uncomfortable to leave it plugged in while I drive.

 

[SandEagle]

haven't used mine in years. always unplugged because i too read about the battery drain

 

[Zenmervolt]

Thus I suppose, the older ones could drain a car battery in ~8 days, vs the newer ones in ~33 if my calculations are correct (based on a 12v, 40Ah battery) assuming no other source of phantom drain.

A car will refuse to start LONG before the battery is completely drained. The starter pulls a lot of amperage and a battery that at even 75% state of charge may not have enough to get the engine to crank.

ZV

 

[fralexandr]

A car will refuse to start LONG before the battery is completely drained. The starter pulls a lot of amperage and a battery that at even 75% state of charge may not have enough to get the engine to crank.

ZV

Thanks, good to know. It would explain why someone on amazon had their car die after 2 weeks. Also why they couldn't get the rv to crank in breaking bad .

I'll edit my previous post.

 

[thescreensavers]

Lol I leave mine plugged in for the past few months no issues.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I prefer to not leave extra stuff plugged in to add to the parasitic drain on the battery more than what there is already, particularly in the winter!