AlwayStart Battery Protector on Kickstarter: Automatic Parasitic Drain Protection

Dead batteries are the number one reason for roadside assistance calls, and the existing solutions all share the same flaw: they require you to do something after the problem is already happening. The AlwayStart battery protector on Kickstarter works before the battery dies: a solid-state device that monitors parasitic drain and automatically isolates the battery before it reaches the point of no start.

The campaign has raised $251,020 from 891 backers against a $10,000 goal with 8 days remaining. Behind it is Brian Dellaripa, an engineer with 25+ years across electrical, mechanical, and control systems including stealth aircraft programs, and Susan Li, former SVP/GM at a leading marketing research firm. Three US and international patents are pending, a forensic engineering firm conducted a third-party FMEA prior to launch, and the device has logged 11,000+ hours of endurance testing. It starts at $229.

Quick Verdict

Who Is It For?

Classic car and collector vehicle owners, overlanders, frequent travelers who leave their vehicle parked for weeks, and anyone whose vehicle sits idle long enough for parasitic drain to become a problem. Also suited to diesel truck owners with dual-battery systems (via the separate kit). Not suitable for EVs, hybrids, Start/Stop vehicles, 24V systems, or lithium battery configurations.

Main Strengths

• Automatic parasitic drain protection with no user action required: AlwayStart monitors battery health continuously and isolates the battery before it drops below the starting threshold.

• Solid-state switch rated at 1,200A peak and 200A continuous, with no moving parts and up to 200x the rated service life of relay-based alternatives.

• Third-party FMEA by ESi (a forensic engineering firm) covering thermal design, electrical architecture, PCB layout, and software logic, an independent validation uncommon for Kickstarter hardware.

• MIL-STD-810H military durability, IP68 waterproof rating, AEC-qualified automotive-grade components, and UL94 V-0 flame-resistant materials throughout.

• Under 1 microamp draw in UltraSleep mode: the device does not meaningfully contribute to the parasitic drain it is preventing.

Main Limitations

• Not compatible with EVs, hybrids, Start/Stop vehicles, lithium battery systems, or 24V configurations. Gasoline and diesel vehicles with 12V lead-acid batteries only.

• Installation requires rotating the battery 180° in the tray before mounting, more involved than a plug-in and may require mechanical confidence or professional installation.

• Shipping costs, taxes, and final vehicle configuration are collected separately after the campaign. International delivery is subject to country-specific automotive regulations with variable timelines.

Is the AlwayStart Battery Protector Worth Backing?

The AlwayStart battery protector on Kickstarter is the most technically validated automatic battery protection device on the platform: third-party FMEA, 450+ days of field testing, aerospace engineering pedigree, and multiple patents pending. At $229 for a single unit and $249 with the wired remote, the price sits well below the recurring costs of battery replacements and roadside calls it is designed to prevent.

AlwayStart on Kickstarter

What Is the AlwayStart Battery Protector on Kickstarter?

The AlwayStart battery protector on Kickstarter is a permanent under-hood device that sits between the battery and the vehicle's electrical system, monitoring battery health and automatically isolating the battery from parasitic loads before the charge drops too low to start the engine. When the driver returns, pressing ON reconnects the battery instantly. No jump, no charger, no waiting.

The device uses a custom solid-state switch rated at 1,200A peak and 200A continuous, replacing the relay technology most automotive isolation systems still use. A 32-bit ARM Cortex processor runs a patent-pending adaptive algorithm that learns the vehicle's usage patterns and sets a dynamic protection threshold rather than a fixed voltage cutoff. Operating voltage: 9-16V DC. Active draw: 5mA. UltraSleep draw: under 1 microamp. Operating temperature: up to 250°F. Size: 9.16" x 1.3" x 7-11". Weight: 1.9 lbs. Compatible with SAE top-post and side terminal configurations across most major BCI group sizes.

AlwayStart was developed by Brian Dellaripa, an engineer with 25+ years across hardware systems including stealth aircraft programs, and Susan Li, former SVP/GM at a leading marketing research firm. The project is entirely bootstrapped. ESi, a forensic engineering firm, conducted an independent FMEA covering thermal design, electrical architecture, PCB layout, and software logic. Field testing spanned 450+ days from Palm Springs, CA to Denver, CO.

What Problem Does the AlwayStart Battery Protector Solve?

Modern vehicles run 20 or more microcontrollers that should enter deep sleep when the car is parked but often do not. Sensors, relays, and wiring draw power continuously regardless of whether the car is moving. A few weeks of sitting can drain a battery completely, and each full discharge accelerates sulfation, the crystalline buildup on battery plates that permanently reduces capacity. Dead batteries are the number one reason for roadside assistance calls and the number one warranty replacement at dealerships.

The existing solutions all require the driver to act. Trickle chargers need an outlet and attention. Jump packs must be charged, remembered, and retrieved after the battery is already dead. Manual disconnects require forethought every single time the vehicle is parked. None of them prevent the problem automatically. All of them react after the failure has already occurred or depend on the driver remembering to do something beforehand.

AlwayStart sits in the circuit between the battery and the vehicle's loads. When the battery approaches the critical threshold, the solid-state switch isolates it automatically and preserves enough charge to start the engine. When the driver returns, one press of ON reconnects the system. No jump. No call. No window rescheduling.

AlwayStart Battery Protector Key Features and Specs: Solid-State Switch, Adaptive Algorithm, Durability, and Monitoring

Solid-State Switch: 1,200A Peak, No Moving Parts, 200x Service Life

The core of AlwayStart is a custom solid-state switch that controls current flow electronically, with no mechanical contacts. Traditional automotive isolation relays use physical contacts that corrode, wear, and eventually fail. The solid-state switch in AlwayStart has no moving parts, draws less than 1 microamp in sleep, and is rated for up to 200x the service life of relay alternatives.

Peak capacity is 1,200A, more than the cold cranking current of most consumer vehicles, including a Toyota V8 2UZFE. Continuous rating is 200A, sufficient for demanding gear including winches up to 8,000 lbs. The switch reconnects in milliseconds when the driver presses ON.

Patent-Pending Adaptive Algorithm: Dynamic Protection, Not a Fixed Cutoff

Most low-voltage cutoffs operate on a fixed threshold: when the battery drops below a set voltage, the device disconnects. The problem is that the voltage required to reliably start an engine varies by vehicle, temperature, battery age, and battery type. A fixed cutoff tuned for one vehicle will disconnect too early or too late in another.

AlwayStart's patent-pending adaptive algorithm monitors battery energy level, health, temperature, and vehicle usage patterns continuously. It calculates the minimum energy required to start the specific vehicle it is installed in and adjusts that threshold dynamically. It does not step in unless necessary. For long-term storage, this means the battery retains more charge for longer. For daily drivers, it means the protection event only occurs when it is genuinely needed.

MIL-STD-810H, IP68, and Third-Party Validation: The Safety Stack

AlwayStart meets MIL-STD-810H military durability and IP68 waterproof standards. It uses AEC-qualified automotive-grade components, UL94 V-0 self-extinguishing flame-resistant materials, and low-resistance brass terminals. Operating range extends to 250°F (120°C). Reverse polarity protection prevents damage from incorrect installation.

Before the Kickstarter launch, ESi, a forensic engineering firm, conducted a full Failure Mode and Effects Analysis covering thermal design, electrical architecture, PCB layout, software logic, and manufacturing. This level of pre-launch third-party review is unusual for a crowdfunded hardware product and provides a documented safety validation rather than a manufacturer's claim.

3-in-1 Monitoring and Optional Remote: Visibility Under the Hood

AlwayStart combines battery monitoring, health indication, and protection in one device. LED indicators show active protection (green pulse), protection events (yellow), battery replacement warning (red), and current charge level via long-press on the ON button. These give real-time visibility into battery status without external equipment.

The optional wired remote extends these controls to the cabin. Dash-mounted or magnetically secured, it provides the same indicators and controls as the main unit without requiring hood access after a protection event. Pressing ON reconnects from the cabin. The OFF function requires a deliberate two-button press to prevent accidental disconnection. The remote is included in the $249 tier and the dual-battery kit.

AlwayStart Battery Protector Price on Kickstarter

The single unit without remote is $229 (MSRP $349, approximately 35% off). The single unit with wired remote is $249 (MSRP $384, approximately 35% off). For $20 more than the base tier, the remote adds full cabin control and eliminates the need to open the hood after every protection event, the recommended upgrade for most buyers.

The dual-battery kit with remote is $445 (MSRP $628, approximately 30% off) and covers diesel trucks with two starter batteries. Delivery on the dual-battery kit is March 2027; single units ship December 2026.

Shipping costs, taxes, and vehicle configuration details (year, make, and model) are collected separately after the campaign via survey. International backers should note that delivery outside the US is subject to country-specific automotive regulations and may experience delays beyond the standard timeline.

Should You Back the AlwayStart Battery Protector on Kickstarter?

The AlwayStart battery protector on Kickstarter is not a charger and not a jump starter. It is the automatic battery protector category that the automotive industry has not produced because failed batteries drive replacement revenue.

That point is not editorializing. In 2025, the AlwayStart team entered licensing discussions with one of the world's largest battery charger companies. The deal collapsed when it became clear AlwayStart would replace the need for several of their existing product lines. The founders bootstrapped it to market instead. A device rejected by the incumbent because it works too well is a more credible signal than most Kickstarter product claims.

Brian Dellaripa brings 25+ years of hardware engineering across electrical, mechanical, and control systems, including stealth aircraft programs. The team ran 450+ days of field testing, commissioned a third-party FMEA, and holds multiple patents pending before launching. At $249 for the single unit with wired remote, the total cost is recoverable in avoided roadside calls and battery replacements within the first year for anyone who has faced this problem before. The base tier at $229 without remote works for anyone with easy hood access. Both ship December 2026.

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FAQ about the AlwayStart Battery Protector on Kickstarter

What vehicles is the AlwayStart battery protector compatible with?

Gasoline and diesel vehicles with 12V AGM, GEL, EFB, sealed, and flooded lead-acid batteries across most standard BCI group sizes. Compatible with SAE top-post and side terminal configurations. Not compatible with EVs, hybrids, Start/Stop vehicles, 24V systems, or lithium battery configurations.

Is AlwayStart a charger or a jump starter? 

Neither. AlwayStart does not hold or generate charge. It works with your existing battery to prevent it from dying, monitoring parasitic drain and isolates the battery before the charge drops too low to start the engine, then reconnects instantly when you press ON. It does not need to be charged and requires no outlet.

How difficult is the AlwayStart installation? 

Installation involves rotating the battery 180° in the tray to create clearance, mounting the AlwayStart unit over the battery with its integrated bracket, and connecting the terminals. It is a one-time install with no ongoing maintenance. Vehicle year, make, and model are collected post-campaign to ensure the correct mounting hardware ships with each unit. Some vehicle owners may prefer professional installation.

Does AlwayStart work on boats and marine applications?

Yes, for 12V starter batteries. AlwayStart is rated IP68 (water immersion) and MIL-STD-810H (vibration, dust, moisture, heat), making it suited to marine environments. Note that current mounting hardware is designed for automotive applications and marine mounting may require adaptation.

What is the AlwayStart battery protector price on Kickstarter? 

The single unit without remote is $229 (approximately 35% off the $349 MSRP). The single unit with wired remote is $249 (approximately 35% off the $384 MSRP). The dual-battery kit with remote for diesel trucks is $445. Shipping and taxes are collected separately after the campaign.