Will it harm the battery life of my car if I leave the ac on while sleeping in my car?

Question

Will it harm the battery life of my car if I leave the ac on while sleeping in my car? Im thinking maybe 50 min or so. Should I have the engine running when I do it? thnx in advance

Answer 1

If you are parked in an open-air environment, have the engine running so you don't wear the battery down. If you are in an enclosure, like a garage, do not have the engine running or you will risk not waking up....ever. Open the garage door, then start the car, run the air conditioning, and enjoy the break from the heat. (It still might be a little hard on your AC's compressor to be running without the car moving due to it overworking to get rid of the heat that would normally be removed by air flow)

Answer 2

One thing else to consider is this: if you are not moving your car will get hotter (engine temp) you need to make sure your cooling fans are working properly or else you could fry your engine while you sleep.
You do need to leave the engine running to recharge the battery, as well as to operate the a/c. The engine does not need to be on to run the fan alone, but the battery will loose charge. It would be better to just roll down the windows, or go lay on the grass under a shade tree....
Good Luck!!

Answer 3

The AC compressor only works when the engine is running. Without the engine running, the only way to get the fan to blow is with the key turned to the IGNITION position. If you leave the ignition on, you will usually toast your electronic ignition module quickly. Lastly, in a closed environment with the engine on and the car not moving, you are in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning also. I suggest finding an alternative place to sleep.

Answer 4

it will not harm the battery, but the only way to run the ac is to have the engine running. the ac will not come on if the key is turn only to the starting position, now this will drain the life out of the battery,no lights,head, tail or brake or interior or dashboard lights. so go ahead and stay cool while napping but use an alarm clock to wake you so that you can check for any warning lights that may have come on during your nap.

Answer 5

It shouldn't affect the battery, because the engine has to be running to make the a/c work, and while the engine is running, the battery is being charged and the electrical system is running off the alternator.

Answer 6

yes of course the engine must be running or the AC won't even work, belt powered by the running engine turns the compressor, no compressor no AC, greatest risk in sleeping in a running car is carbon monoxide poisoning and that ain't cool

Answer 7

typically to run the ac you need the engine running which will allow the alternator to charge the battery so no.... leaving fan on with no engine, bye bye battery

Answer 8

Yes, it will harm your battery. If you can leave the engine on would be great

Answer 9

I'm pretty sure your batery will be drained if your engine is not running. 30 min of leaving the head lights does it, so AC, I believe, even more so...

Answer 10

uhhh...I think you have to have the engine running to run the ac....otherwise where's the air going to come from....I don't think the ac can just suck in still air.