Frequently asked questions

AlwayStart is a smart battery protector — not a charger, jump pack or extra battery. It installs on your existing 12V battery and uses a solid-state switch plus a patent-pending algorithm to automatically disconnect your battery from your car before the battery drains too far. It saves a reserve of power in your own battery and is able to manage that reserve intelligently, so your vehicle can access that reserve when needed and will reliably start — even if you leave the lights on or park for your vehicle for many months. 

AlwayStart monitors your battery and automatically isolates and protects the battery, reserving enough power to guarantee a start. At its core is a solid-state switch controlled by a microprocessor that runs our patent-pending machine learning algorithm tracking battery health, usage and other diagnostics to manage power intelligently. If AlwayStart triggers a protection event, you’d use the physical key to unlock the car, press the ‘On’ button on AlwayStart and then start your vehicle — no waiting, jumps or charging. Even if you leave the lights on or park for a year, your vehicle will still start instantly. Feel free to check our How It Works 3D animation video:  https://AlwayStart.com/pages/how-it-works

Parasitic drain (i.e., small, continuous draw from modules, cameras, alarms, radios, etc.) is the main headache AlwayStart seeks to solve! AlwayStart can't fix the underlying drain, but rather prevents that drain from completely flattening your battery. Our product uses a patent-pending machine-learning algorithm that monitors energy, temperature and usage patterns to determine when and how to disconnect, so it will detect and take into account a parasitic drain. With AlwayStart as your battery protector, you have peace of mind knowing your vehicle will always start, even with unresolved parasitic drain problems.

In a situation where AlwayStart triggers a protection event, simply use the physical key to unlock the car, press the ‘On’ button on AlwayStart and then start your vehicle. With the optional in-cabin remote, you can press the “On” button on the remote. It's quick and easy — you won’t ever need a jump or charger, and your battery is protected from a damaging deep discharge. 

AlwayStart is designed for very low self-consumption (in the microamp range, near zero), so it does not become a new parasitic drain, further harming your 12V battery. This is a key feature that no other battery maintenance product has achieved, and why it allows you to store a vehicle for up to an entire year. AlwayStart's purpose is to prevent deep discharges, not create them. Over very long storage periods, battery self-discharge is still a factor, but AlwayStart itself will not contribute to the battery draining or completely discharging. 

Yes! AlwayStart is designed for simple, DIY installation. If you can replace a car battery, you can install AlwayStart — no special tools, wiring or programming required. Our device mounts directly on top of your existing 12V battery using an easy 3-step process that's detailed on our website (https://alwaystart.com/pages/how-it-works). All you need is a wrench and a little elbow grease! 

Yes, unfortunately, there's no way around resetting your radio and vehicle settings. In order to provide up to an entire year of storage capability, the device needs to disconnect the battery completely so there's next to no parasitic draw. But we figured pressing a button to start your car instantaneously is better than having to call and wait for a tow truck or jump, which would require a reset too.

Every manufacturer is a little different, but most computer modules on modern cars will write important info to nonvolatile memory and will have zero issues. We've tested AlwayStart on a range of vehicles including modern cars, and AlwayStart has worked seamlessly every time. We are currently in the process of testing vehicles with start/stop technology for compatibility and feasibility; consequently, we do not recommend using AlwayStart on vehicles equipped with start/stop technology at this time. For a complete list of specifications and vehicles supported, please see the Technology page(https://alwaystart.com/pages/technology)

We get the skepticism. Lots of products make big claims, but our engineers can back it up. We're based in Southern California and have spent years testing and developing this game-changing product. AlwayStart technology is based on extensive research and development, and backed by multiple U.S. and international patents. Our device handles starter loads up to 1,200 Amps while drawing almost nothing (<1 µA), which no single battery maintenance product has ever achieved. We have logged over 11,000 hrs of real-world testing with customers across the US, from daily drivers to custom car lovers and everyone in between. Unlike chargers or jump packs, it’s fully automatic — no plugging in, no charging, no thinking. There are no other battery maintenance solutions that are this easy to install, takes the burden completely off you, and allows you to Drive More and Worry Less!

Thanks for the question! AlwayStart is built and designed to withstand temperature extremes. We use only AEC qualified components, which are tested in temperature extremes for cold and heat. However, it's important to note that while AlwayStart itself remains operational and effective, the performance of your vehicle's battery in extreme cold can be unpredictable due to various factors beyond our control. Sign up for emails at the bottom of the page to receive updates and new product announcements.

Inside every AlwayStart is a custom high‑power solid‑state switch, built to handle starter loads up to 1,200 amps peak and auxiliary loads of 200 amps continuous, making it compatible with nearly all vehicles that use a 12V starter battery, from cars and trucks to SUVs and more. AlwayStart’s own standby draw is practically invisible at less than 1 µA, so it protects you from parasitic drain without becoming one itself. We're launching soon on Kickstarter. Reserve now for a limited-access special price (reservation page after entering your email):  https://AlwayStart.com

AlwayStart does not push energy or charge back into your battery — it is a smart battery protector that works differently from jump packs. It doesn’t store or add energy — instead, it safeguards the energy already in your 12V starter battery, ensuring reliable starts and longer battery life, even in tough conditions or with older batteries.​ You don’t need to carry, charge or maintain extra jump packs as a backup. AlwayStart prevents your battery from draining into the “dead zone,” so you always have enough power to start your car. Jump packs only help after you’re stranded — AlwayStart is preventative, keeping you ready to go and saving you time and hassle. 

AlwayStart can behave like a kill switch in the sense that it can disconnect power, but it’s much more than that. A traditional kill switch is manual and often inconvenient — you must remember to switch it off/on, and many aren’t designed for electronics-heavy vehicles. AlwayStart is automatic and intelligent. It disconnects only when needed, based on our patented machine learning algorithm that takes into account battery health and vehicle diagnostics. As a battery protector, AlwayStart's whole job is to preserve enough power to start your vehicle even after long storage or unexpected battery issues (e.g., parasitic drain, lights left on overnight). With AlwayStart, you can just Park & WalkAway™ knowing your vehicle will always start when you return.

With an AlwayStart, you won't need a trickle charger or jump pack. Your new battery should last twice as long, though it will still need replacing someday. AlwayStart is safe to use with your existing battery maintenance routines and chargers. Lead-acid batteries naturally self-discharge 3% a month because of their chemistry and that speeds up in harsh environments. So, for extremely long storage, or in very hot or very cold climates, it’s still reasonable to use a trickle charger if you want. In that scenario, AlwayStart works in conjunction with the trickle charger: the charger keeps the battery topped up, and AlwayStart protects the battery in case anything goes wrong, or the charger gets disconnected by mistake.

AlwayStart is not a basic low‑voltage disconnect — it’s a smart battery protector. At its core is a high‑power solid‑state switch controlled by a microcontroller running our patent‑pending algorithm, which tracks battery health, usage, temperature and other diagnostics to manage power intelligently. Instead of using a fixed cutoff like a typical LVD, AlwayStart self‑calibrates to your vehicle, so the disconnect point can vary based on the specific battery and how you use the car. The goal is to stop parasitic drain while avoiding false trips, random cutoffs or unnecessary code resets during normal use. We're launching soon on Kickstarter. Reserve now for a limited-access special price (reservation page after entering your email): https://AlwayStart.com

Some lithium starter batteries, including Antigravity's models, offer built-in protection against excessive discharge. However, full-size automotive models commonly cost $900-1,300 and require replacing your existing battery. AlwayStart takes a different approach: it adds intelligent, automatic protection to the 12V lead-acid starter battery you already own.

Its patented technology continuously evaluates battery conditions to preserve the starting power your specific vehicle needs. And because AlwayStart is a separate device, it can potentially move with you to your next compatible battery or vehicle.

AlwayStart is designed for a wide range of cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and other vehicles with 12V lead-acid starter batteries, including AGM and GEL. Compatibility depends on your vehicle's battery configuration, available mounting space, and electrical system. AlwayStart is not currently recommended for vehicles with automatic start/stop systems or smart alternators.

AlwayStart is available in both top-post and side-terminal configurations. For top-post batteries, you can choose a left- or right-mount orientation based on your available space. The side-terminal version has one mounting orientation.

Each unit includes three bracket sizes to accommodate battery widths from 7–11 inches, plus additional mounting hardware for a secure installation.

AlwayStart offers a dual-battery configuration for 12V vehicles with two starter batteries, including many diesel trucks. This system uses two AlwayStart units – one for each battery – that communicate with each other to intelligently manage power levels across both batteries.

The dual-battery system is not currently available for pre-order. Sign up for our email updates and announcements, and we'll let you know when it's available.

Yes. AlwayStart can be installed in a trunk, under a seat, or in other unconventional battery locations, provided there's sufficient space for the unit and its mounting hardware. Cables must also be safely routed away from heat, sharp edges, and moving parts.

AlwayStart includes three bracket sizes to accommodate battery widths from 7–11 inches, along with additional mounting hardware for installation flexibility. Compatibility ultimately depends on your vehicle's battery configuration, available space, and electrical system.

Yes! AlwayStart is available in a dedicated side-terminal configuration, with the appropriate connections and mounting hardware for compatible side-terminal batteries. Simply select the side-terminal version when ordering.

AlwayStart is an automatic, intelligent battery disconnect specifically designed to replace traditional manual or remote disconnects, not be stacked with them on the same circuit. Because AlwayStart already monitors your battery and disconnects intelligently when needed, adding a second disconnect in series doesn’t improve protection. It can make electrical issues harder to diagnose, and therefore we don't recommended using both on the same vehicle.

AlwayStart is committed to bringing our technology to as many vehicles as possible, including motorcycles and powersports! Our objective is to develop solutions for the largest possible number of vehicles on the roadways starting with cars and light trucks. We’ve also got a few other variants in the works that we can’t share details on just yet but please sign up for emails at the bottom of the page to receive updates and new product announcements.

AlwayStart is committed to bringing our technology to as many motorized vehicles as possible, and we haven't forgotten about lawn and garden-type batteries, such as on your Orec. Our first objective is to develop solutions for the largest number of vehicles on the roadways as possible: cars and light trucks. But we’ve got a few other variants in the works that we'll share details on soon, so sign up for emails at the bottom of the page to receive updates and new product announcements.

Yes! AlwayStart can protect 12V marine starter batteries and is engineered to withstand harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, moisture, and vibration.

However, the current mounting hardware is designed for automotive applications, so installation on a boat may require additional mounting considerations or modifications. AlwayStart is intended for starter batteries, not house or auxiliary batteries.

We're exploring a marine-specific version with mounting hardware tailored to boating applications. Sign up for our email updates to hear about future releases.

While many EVs still use a 12V lead-acid battery for powering accessories and vehicle electronics, we advise against using AlwayStart in those applications at this time.

AlwayStart is currently designed for 12V lead-acid starter batteries, including traditional flooded, sealed (maintenance-free), AGM, GEL, and EFB (enhanced flooded) batteries.

Lithium batteries have different electrical characteristics and built-in battery management systems (BMS), requiring additional compatibility testing and validation. While we're exploring support for lithium batteries in the future, our current AlwayStart models are not recommended for lithium applications.

No, AlwayStart is not currently designed or recommended for hybrid vehicles. While many hybrids have a 12V battery that powers vehicle electronics, their electrical systems and starting requirements differ from those of conventional gas and diesel vehicles. AlwayStart is intended for compatible 12V starter-battery systems in non-hybrid vehicles.

No, AlwayStart is currently designed for 12V lead-acid starter batteries in conventional gas and diesel vehicles. While many electric vehicles also use a 12V battery to power accessories and vehicle electronics, their electrical systems and power management requirements differ. AlwayStart is not currently recommended for EV applications.

Yes! AlwayStart is compatible with many RVs that use a single 12V starter battery, helping keep your RV ready to start even after extended periods in storage or on a trip.

For RVs with two 12V starter batteries, we offer a dual-battery system, although it's not currently available for pre-order. AlwayStart is not designed for 24V electrical systems or house/auxiliary batteries.

Yes! AlwayStart offers an optional wired remote that lets you reconnect your battery from inside your vehicle, without opening the hood. AlwayStart automatically protects your battery when parked, and the remote makes it even more convenient to restore power when you're ready to drive.

The remote is available as an optional add-on for added convenience, but is not required for AlwayStart to operate.

No, and that's by design. AlwayStart prioritizes ultra-low power consumption to keep your vehicle ready to start, even after months in storage. Bluetooth and other wireless technologies consume additional energy, which can reduce how long a battery can remain protected while parked.

Instead, AlwayStart uses our UltraSleep technology, drawing less than 1 µA in sleep mode to maximize storage time. No app, no pairing, and no ongoing maintenance required.

AlwayStart protects your battery from excessive discharge caused by parasitic draw, helping preserve enough power to start your vehicle when you need it – even after extended periods of storage.

However, AlwayStart does not eliminate the underlying sources of parasitic draw, whether from accessories like alarms and dashcams or electrical faults. If your vehicle has an electrical issue causing abnormal battery drain, we recommend having a qualified mechanic diagnose and repair it. AlwayStart provides an additional layer of automatic protection to help prevent that drain from leaving you with a dead battery.