I’ll admit it, in the past I’ve done “selective” use of my Transponder because continuous use would drain my battery, but with LiFe batteries I turn it on and leave it on all the time. My panel pulls 2 amps continuously with everything on and my 15a/h LiFe never drops below 12v, even after 4 hours in use. Transponders are cheap life insurance, I have listened to Reno Approach vector an airliner around me, because I was squawking. Flying without a Transponder off is like driving at night with your headlights off, it’s electronic see and avoid, but it doesn’t work if you don’t turn on your Transponder. My FLARM will paint other FLARM’s and everybody with their Transponder on. I believe the regs say, if installed, it must be turned on at all times. Remember the 29 driver that collided with the light twin near Minden? The twins TCAS would have indicated the presence of the glider, had the gliders Transponder been on. Get your 2 year check, then turn it on and leave it on!
JJ