# Use of auxillary output (cigarette lighter) and effect on battery

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/use-of-auxillary-output-cigarette-lighter-and-effect-on-battery/35008>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** avalon, toyota\
**Created:** [August 13, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/use-of-auxillary-output-cigarette-lighter-and-effect-on-battery/35008 "2009-08-13T16:50:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Melisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@Melisa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Melisa)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/use-of-auxillary-output-cigarette-lighter-and-effect-on-battery/35008/1 "2009-08-13T16:50:58Z")

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I have a '98 Avalon. The cassette player died on me over a year ago. I have been using a portable am/fm cassette radio that I plug into a 75W converter that plugs into the auxillary output in my car.  
  
  
  
 Assuming I unplug the device every night, or at least turn off the portable device, will it have any negative effects on my battery.  
  
  
  
 A friend said it might, even though I haven’t noticed that it has.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/use-of-auxillary-output-cigarette-lighter-and-effect-on-battery/35008/2 "2009-08-13T16:59:49Z")

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Ever heard of CDs? You could transfer your tapes to CD and use the car’s CD player.

You’ve been doing this for a year and a half with no ill effects. Why worry now?

As long as you unplug the converter when you’re not driving the car I don’t think it will do any damage. The tape player isn’t using anywhere near 75 watts.

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**Author:** ![GSN\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@GSN\_fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSN_fan)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/use-of-auxillary-output-cigarette-lighter-and-effect-on-battery/35008/3 "2009-08-13T20:44:46Z")

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No, it will not. The engine will recharge the battery.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/use-of-auxillary-output-cigarette-lighter-and-effect-on-battery/35008/4 "2009-08-13T21:19:15Z")

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Unplug the “converter” (inverter?) when it’s not needed…

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/use-of-auxillary-output-cigarette-lighter-and-effect-on-battery/35008/5 "2009-08-14T00:22:07Z")

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Unplugging it won’t be necessary if it has an on/off switch.

Those inverters are designed for this kind of use, and the car will be fine. The only inverters you need to worry about are the ones that connect directly to the battery instead of the 12 volt DC outlet.