Can I leave my Jetpack 6620L plugged in?
VinnieG
Newbie

Hi,

I have been searching for an answer whether or not I can leave my (new) Jetpack plugged in. We live remote, and after struggling through a 2-year contract with Hughsnet - I decided to switch to Verizon Wireless for our internet access at home.

Can someone tell me if I can leave the Jetpack plugged in all the time - or will that hurt the device? It does get warm when charging...

Thanks much - any feedback is appreciated!

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Correct answers
Re: Can I leave my Jetpack 6620L plugged in?
MiiHere
Champion - Level 3

I would avoid leaving the Jet Pack plugged in if any device that is linked to it is left on 24/7; computer, phone, tablet etc. Devices have a tendency to update behind the scenes and depending on how many GB you pay for each month it can eat threw your allotted amount very quickly.

Plus it doesn't hurt to not overheat it as much as often, so really more benefits to unplug than to leave it plugged up, unless you find it troublesome to plug in.

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Re: Can I leave my Jetpack 6620L plugged in?
Weth
Legend

John Getzke  has the best answer on this:

Can I leave a jetpack 6620 attached to the wall charger 24/7/

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Re: Can I leave my Jetpack 6620L plugged in?
MiiHere
Champion - Level 3

I would avoid leaving the Jet Pack plugged in if any device that is linked to it is left on 24/7; computer, phone, tablet etc. Devices have a tendency to update behind the scenes and depending on how many GB you pay for each month it can eat threw your allotted amount very quickly.

Plus it doesn't hurt to not overheat it as much as often, so really more benefits to unplug than to leave it plugged up, unless you find it troublesome to plug in.

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Re: Can I leave my Jetpack 6620L plugged in?
7e18n1
Specialist - Level 3

> Can someone tell me if I can leave the Jetpack plugged in all the time

This “on power off power” topic has been beat to death in online forums and Usenet over the last 20 years or so. There are many opinions from many users and here’s mine. First, I don’t see that the user guide mentions this.

> or will that hurt the device?

Under normal operating conditions, the battery cannot be overcharged or over discharged else a violent reaction may occur. Because of this, once the battery is fully charged the charging circuitry disconnects the charger and will not turn it again on unless external power is removed and reapplied or the charge drops below a predetermined level. This is a basic fundamental design of all Li-Ion battery power and charging circuits. Jetpacks are little different than any other rechargeable battery operated consumer electronic device. However, Li-Ion batteries are also vulnerable to heat. If leaving it continuously connected to external power, the best practice is to keep it out of direct sunlight, in a well ventilated area and on a heat conductive surface such as a glass table top.

> It does get warm when charging...

The heat you feel is coming from the two radio transmitters (about half the power a radio transmitter uses is lost as heat in the electrical energy to RF energy conversion process) and other electrical components inside the Jetpack. The battery itself only produces a negligible amount of heat while charging—by design it cannot exceed a predetermined temperature else the charger will turn off. Unfortunately, the higher the ambient temperature the harder it will be to dissipate internal heat because plastic is a lousy heat conductor. 

My Jetpack has been on, connected to external power 24/7 - 98% of the time since June 2013. The only time it is removed from external power is to cycle the battery (once every 3 to 6 weeks) and clean the battery terminals because the eight metal contacts that complete four circuits are the primary failure points that cause unpredictable results on a semi-predictable basis.

It is important that you understand, a Jetpack is not designed to be on and continuously connected to external power. If it is on and continuously connected to external power it will fail with almost predictable regularity. It is for this reason it is recommended to disconnect it from power when it is done charging and turn it off when not in use. By doing this you disturb those electro-mechanical connections that allow it to work effectively making it continue to work.

Re: Can I leave my Jetpack 6620L plugged in?
VinnieG
Newbie

Thank you everyone for the quick response. I have decided that my best course of action is to disconnect the Jetpack when not in use, and to disconnect it from the charger until the battery runs low.

I appreciate your help with this!

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