Yeah, a power supply is not strictly required. While technically it's not the charge level concern, but the current draw effect on voltage that is the risk, a power supply keeps it constant and ensures there are no voltage drops during a flash. If you are a professional mechanic, don't take that risk with a customer car. As an owner...just up to what risk you personally are OK with. I've never had a report from a customer yet of a problem. One fellow did flash a config to the car at 5% battery and the car went dead during programming...he charged the battery for a bit and flashed the config again and everything was fine.
For me I need it for OrBit development, if not for that I'd probably just flash on the battery.
One side benefit i do like is since my battery is frequently supported and charged up on the power supply, it appears like it's going to last a long time. Normally these cars are hard on the battery and seem to require changing them out every few years.
For me I need it for OrBit development, if not for that I'd probably just flash on the battery.
One side benefit i do like is since my battery is frequently supported and charged up on the power supply, it appears like it's going to last a long time. Normally these cars are hard on the battery and seem to require changing them out every few years.