Power Options: Plug-In, Hardwire, and Battery

Power is the second half of an installation. A unit that mounts well but powers awkwardly will still come back as a support case. Power input is a specification field on every Kaldrey sheet, and it stays pending until the supplier confirms it in writing.

12 V plug-in

The standard supply is a cable into the vehicle's 12 V accessory socket. It needs no installation skill, and it moves between vehicles. The trade-offs are a visible cable and dependence on a socket that not every vehicle provides in a convenient place. Confirm the plug size, the cable length, and whether the plug includes an indicator light.

Hardwire

A hardwire kit connects the unit to the vehicle's fused supply, which hides the cable and frees the socket. Hardwiring takes more installation effort and must be fused. Confirm whether the kit is included, what fuse ratings it uses, and whether the manual covers the installation steps or expects a professional. Some hardwire kits also enable a parking-mode function if the SKU supports one; treat that as a separate field to confirm.

Battery and cordless builds

Cordless units run on an internal battery or replaceable cells. They mount and move freely, and they suit drivers who swap the unit between vehicles. The specification fields that matter are battery type, claimed runtime and how it was measured, charge method, and behavior in high heat, because batteries and windshields in summer do not mix well. See the care page for storage guidance.

USB and alternative inputs

Some models charge or power from USB. Confirm the USB role: power only, or also the data connection for updates. A shared port that serves both roles should be documented, because a customer who charges a phone from the same port will ask.

Fields to confirm per SKU

• Input voltage range and the supplied cable length.
• Whether a fuse is included in the supply path.
• Power draw, which matters for cordless runtime claims.
• What the low-power or shutdown behavior is, if the unit has one.

Power failures are rarely dangerous, but they are the fastest way to lose a customer's trust. Describe the power path plainly in your listing, and stock the spare cables if the supplier offers them.