OBD adapter battery drain

[JCT-DK]

Does somebody know if it's safe to leave the OBD adapter plugged in without risking draining the Battery?

I am asking because i used to have a BMW and once i left the adapter the Battery was completely empty and could'nt start.

Thanks!

[jcps001]

The OBD plug is made for temporary use, not for permanent monitoring. Use at your own risk. My advice is buy a good quality OBD dongle (it is what you want, right?). A good brand would Autel and other like it. Buy a 1 pound OBD dongle from online chinese stores, and don't come complaining.

[JCT-DK]

I have a ELM 327 adapter which i consider to be a quality adapter.

I was just looking for other members experiences using OBD adapters.

[Guest]

I do have a bluetooth adaptor (ELM327) for rough an ready use if needed. I link it to the Torque Pro (not the free version) app. on my phone.

I would never and have never left it permanently plugged in to the OBD socket. The current drain is probably very low though and could possibly take a long time to drain the Battery.

There is an instruction with my cable connected OBD tool to always unplug after use in spite of it having an auto shutdown.

[flash22]

The DLC has a permanent 12v from the Battery yes it can cause a drain, as in said in your other thread your Battery is likely at the end of its life

it may take a charge and show the correct voltage, but its capacity is severely reduced

It's like filling a bucket up with water, but it has a small hole in the bottom - give it long enough and the water will drain out of it

[JCT-DK]

Great thanks Bob.

[CPN]

12 hours ago, JCT-DK said:

Does somebody know if it's safe to leave the OBD adapter plugged in without risking draining the battery?

I am asking because i used to have a BMW and once i left the adapter the battery was completely empty and could'nt start.

Thanks!

It depends on the quality of the OBD adapter that you buy. I've had my OBDLink LX for over 5 years now and in the previous car and in this car (3 years now) it has never been out of its socket except for when the car goes in for servicing and that's because I make use of Hybrid Assistant every time I drive the car. My Battery is still in fine health because it goes to sleep once it detects inactivity...

(and yes, I know it's expensive...)

[JCT-DK]

Great thanks.

How do I get the Hybrid Assistant?

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, JCT-DK said:

Great thanks.

How do I get the Hybrid Assistant?

It’s on android. 

[JCT-DK]

and is not offered for iPhone?

[TonyHSD]

2 minutes ago, JCT-DK said:

and is not offered for iphone?

No. You can get Carista and Dr. Prius on iOS but not hybrid assistant. 
There are some cheap android phones that worth have one just for running some apps or as spare phone. I got myself Google pixel 6a and works fine, it’s even good for temporary replacement of any iPhone in an emergency. 👌

[JCT-DK]

It looks like i am going to need the OBDLink MX+ which works with iPhone.

The LX only works with android.