Mains power starter

Mains power starter

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Discussion

audi321

Original Poster:

5,157 posts

212 months

Monday 18th January 2016
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So I went to buy a battery starter power pack today and didn't end up buying one due to low stock. But it got me thinking. I actually don't need a 'portable' power pack. I am never that remote that I need a portable thing and the bloody things are useless unless you buy a decent one, then whenever I need it (my old one which got nicked) it was always flat!

So given that mains power is never far away. is there such a thing as a mains powered car starter?

Do they exist??

Thanks in advance.

Dave.

7,324 posts

252 months

Monday 18th January 2016
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I briefly looked into these the other week, I think the best bet is one that charges from the car (slightly ironic!) so it's always charged & ready. Easier if you have a socket in the boot & do more than just short journeys.

imagineifyeswill

1,225 posts

165 months

Monday 18th January 2016
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There certainly is, boost starter/charger made by Sealey Clarkes and probably many others.

Toaster Pilot

14,615 posts

157 months

Monday 18th January 2016
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imagineifyeswill said:
There certainly is, boost starter/charger made by Sealey Clarkes and probably many others.
This.

Clarke "start and charge", machine mart sell them

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Tuesday 19th January 2016
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imagineifyeswill said:
There certainly is, boost starter/charger made by Sealey Clarkes and probably many others.
And as with everything, they range from bloody useless to exceptionally good, depending on how much money you pay. The "exceptionally good" ones tend to be large and heavy (i.e. on wheels), but will allow you to crank something virtually dead very quickly. The small units you can actually carry are more like fast chargers, you need to let the battery charge for some minutes before you'll be able to crank the engine.

audi321

Original Poster:

5,157 posts

212 months

Tuesday 19th January 2016
quotequote all
I've started to look at these lithium starter packs now. They look much more manageable that the big ones. They claim decent starting power but have they got the uuumph to get a car started?? Anyone used one?

Jack_and_MLE

620 posts

238 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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What I have at home is a big old battery which is on a trickle charger and when required I move it close to the car which needs helps.

It is an 2/3 year old battery from an Audi A6

Jack

Dave.

7,324 posts

252 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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I actually have the same, although mine is out of a Disco 3.

Also powers my tyre inflator (a beefy one with croc clips rather than lighter plug) til I get round to buying a compressor.

seyre1972

2,609 posts

142 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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audi321 said:
I've started to look at these lithium starter packs now. They look much more manageable that the big ones. They claim decent starting power but have they got the uuumph to get a car started?? Anyone used one?
Hi Audi321 - I had an intermittent battery drain (now fixed awas found to be water ingress into relays causing fans to run/drain battery). So looked at getting something from Halfords - forget it they were overpriced and absolutely massive/heavy. + max of a 2.2 litre jump start capability apparently ....

I've got the Audi S4 B7 (4.2 litre V8). So a big old lump to start - So did a bit of googling and ended up buying this AFTERPARTZ AllStart Car Jump Starter

Worked brilliantly - Comes in a snazzy nylon wallet with all the connectors/wall charger/cigarette charger you'll ever need. Was also approximately half the price of what Halfords had on offer.

rambo19

2,737 posts

136 months

Saturday 23rd January 2016
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seyre1972 said:
Hi Audi321 - I had an intermittent battery drain (now fixed awas found to be water ingress into relays causing fans to run/drain battery). So looked at getting something from Halfords - forget it they were overpriced and absolutely massive/heavy. + max of a 2.2 litre jump start capability apparently ....

I've got the Audi S4 B7 (4.2 litre V8). So a big old lump to start - So did a bit of googling and ended up buying this AFTERPARTZ AllStart Car Jump Starter

Worked brilliantly - Comes in a snazzy nylon wallet with all the connectors/wall charger/cigarette charger you'll ever need. Was also approximately half the price of what Halfords had on offer.
Did it start the v8 with a flat battery?
Maybe its me, but I just cannot see these being any good.

seyre1972

2,609 posts

142 months

Saturday 23rd January 2016
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rambo19 said:
Did it start the v8 with a flat battery?
Maybe its me, but I just cannot see these being any good.
Hi Rambo19 - Battery as flat as could be - as in clock had reset/Alarm LED not even flashing on the drivers door/central locking not working/interior lights didn't even come on when drivers door was opened etc So probably as flat as I could get it .....

Attached to battery (all the above come to life) - turn the key and turns over with ease (I even moved car about 5 metres up a slight incline last time - while using power pack/starter motor (when relays finally gave up the ghost) to move it to a safer place while waiting for recovery truck)


Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Saturday 23rd January 2016
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rambo19 said:
Did it start the v8 with a flat battery?
Maybe its me, but I just cannot see these being any good.
Have a look at Photonicinductions video. The pack he is using starts his V8 Merc easily.

nsa

1,682 posts

227 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
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I've had one of these for a few years and it's always started my cars, up to a four litre Cherokee. I don't think it was cheap and it seems you can't buy them new anymore but if you can track one down - or similar - they are great. I don't remember having to leave it connected for more than a minute or two before starting the car. I think the thicker cables and crocodile clips help it deliver the power to the starter, rather than just rapidly charging the existing battery. Maybe I'm wrong on that. I bought mine because I got so frustrated with rubbish mobile battery starter packs.



The lithium power packs do get good reviews. Apparently Li-Po batteries can put out lots of amps in short bursts they can start even a big car. Energizer makes one and when I saw it advertised I thought there must be something in it if a big brand like that puts its name to one.





Edited by nsa on Sunday 24th January 13:06

Toaster Pilot

14,615 posts

157 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
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I quite fancy the Ring lithium power pack that halfords sell - it looks a bit less like a toy than the no name eBay ones but it's priced accordingly!

audi321

Original Poster:

5,157 posts

212 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
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Well.........after this very comprehensive review I bought this from Amazon with the £10 off code BIGTHANKS the other day. So for £121 we'll see what the thing is like for real tomorrow when it arrives.

I'll report back asap.

Toaster Pilot

14,615 posts

157 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
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Like the look of that - bit more robust looking than the cheaper ones like I say

rambo19

2,737 posts

136 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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audi321 said:
Well.........after this very comprehensive review I bought this from Amazon with the £10 off code BIGTHANKS the other day. So for £121 we'll see what the thing is like for real tomorrow when it arrives.

I'll report back asap.
Damm you man!!

Ive just spent an hour looking at reviews and I am going to get one!

planetsurfer

42 posts

159 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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You could have got one of these.
I've used it to start both my 3.5 Litre cars easily.


http://www.super-powerpack.com/

audi321

Original Poster:

5,157 posts

212 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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Well the noco arrived yesterday and after a night on charge I gave it a good test today with my 3.6 Porsche 911 which hadn't been started in 2 months. Totally flat.

Started it without a problem. Took about 4-5 seconds to start but that was the lack of starting (fuel etc) rather than the noco. The point being it turned over as if it had a fully charged battery attached to it. I went to the petrol station for fresh fuel and of course it wouldn't start again. Connected it up and boom not a problem. Fired up first time.

Time will tell of course but it reckons 40 starts per charge! It certainly has the uuumph to get a large car engine started which was my main concern. Small enough to fit in the glove box and if it holds charge for over a year (which is what they say about these lithium ones) it's a winner.

Certainly can recommend one. It'd be interesting to see if the smaller one at only £60 could do the same. I went for the larger one as the reviews said the smaller on couldn't start a car with the battery totally disconnected, whereas this one could.

Very happy

AW10

4,422 posts

248 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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That NoCo GB70 is well impressive. I can't seem to find an amp-hour rating for the battery though, even in their datasheet.