I will soon be inheriting my daughter's ipod-mini and her Belkin auto kit. She had the ipod-mini with her all the time and would charge it while connected to her computer and would rarely use the belkin auto kit. I intend it leave the ipod-mini in my car plugged in and charging all the time and connected to my Aux input through the Belkin's line-out (which I have heard elsewhere that it is not a true line out as it runs through the Belkin's lil amp).

Does this hurt the ipod-mini's rechargable battery to be leaving it charging constantly?

 

If you are using the cigarette lighter outlet, there is only power when the ignition is on.

 

I don't think the Belkin unit will continuously charge it. Read the manual. I think it shuts off when it's fully charged.

 

The iPod has an internal charge controller. There is no risk of overcharging or damage if you leave it continuously connected to a power source.

 

good point about plugging it in to the cigarette lighter, which I intend to do.....so leaving it plugged in there all the time then should be no problem anyway, right?

although I wasn't so concerned with overcharging as causing some memory problem with the ipod's rechargable battery....I know with some battery types it is better to let them run down and be almost totally discharged and then recharged fully while with others you can keep them topped off and fully charged all the time

 

I've got the belkin kit and generally just use the ipod in the car.
IMO, while you COULD plug/unplug based on the charge level, it would be a PIA. If you use it primarily in the car, then you don't have to worry about battery life anyway. I've had mine for about two years and haven't seen any problems, but as said, I usually just utilize it in the car.
Besides, if you use the line-out (which gives better sound than the headphone jack, then it's not really an option.

FWIW, I put another cig lighter in my parcel shelf, so the plug/wiring is basically all out of sight.