Booster Packs ?

[J4CKO]

Went to use my C1 this morning but it was flat as a pancake, realised its not moved since Christmas Eve so thats probably why, it had a new battery last year so it should be ok.

Its parked nose in to a corner so I cant jump it easily, my Draper battery charger (two years old) isnt working and my neighbour borrowed my Ctek and brought that back dead.

So, whats do I order to replace them ?

Can you get something you keep on charge permanently ? is there something that covers all bases or do I need a trickle charger and a booster pack type thing ?

[eybic]

You can get little LiPo battery packs that plug into your 12v socket that are supposed to be good and they aren't that expensive either. Failing that, you can get little solar panels that go on your dash plugged into your 12v socket to keep it topped up.

eta: this is the battery pack thingy: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/92...

Edited by eybic on Wednesday 30th January 10:23

[Riley Blue]

I've a Suaoki 2000A jump starter, primarily for my Riley but it has also started my 4.2 A8 without any problems. Various capacities are available, have a look on Amazon or Ebay. Forget the solar panels, they're next to useless.

[kdri155]

I use a portable jump pack when getting my camper van out of storage occasionally, vans a Fiat Ducato 2.8 diesel always starts first time when I use the jump pack

[RZ1]

eybic said:

You can get little LiPo battery packs that plug into your 12v socket that are supposed to be good and they aren't that expensive either. Failing that, you can get little solar panels that go on your dash plugged into your 12v socket to keep it topped up.

eta: this is the battery pack thingy: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/92...

Edited by eybic on Wednesday 30th January 10:23

Im quite impressed by some of those small battery packs, shame i don't need one...

[eybic]

RZ1 said:

eybic said:

You can get little LiPo battery packs that plug into your 12v socket that are supposed to be good and they aren't that expensive either. Failing that, you can get little solar panels that go on your dash plugged into your 12v socket to keep it topped up.

eta: this is the battery pack thingy: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/92...

Edited by eybic on Wednesday 30th January 10:23

Im quite impressed by some of those small battery packs, shame i don't need one...

Same here

[RZ1]

kdri155 said:

I use a portable jump pack when getting my camper van out of storage occasionally, vans a Fiat Ducato 2.8 diesel always starts first time when I use the jump pack

Anker products are normally pretty good, whats that one like, I've found one similar and might buy it, even though i don't need it

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-PowerCore-Gasoline-...

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

I made my own using 18650 cells from old laptop battery packs...
It's basically 4x 18650 cells in parallel x4 in series - so 16 cells in total giving around 12Ah @ 16v through a BIG diode bank in series (x2) which drops the voltage back down to around 14.6v.
It's coupled to a cheap eBay 4S charger.

It's basically a bomb in a box but works very well and cost me nothing

[shtu]

The solar panel chargers are OK for a permanent slow trickle charge. Depending on the way the car is wired, you may have to connect it direct to the battery rather than through the cigarette lighter.

[J4CKO]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

I made my own using 18650 cells from old laptop battery packs...
It's basically 4x 18650 cells in parallel x4 in series - so 16 cells in total giving around 12Ah @ 16v through a BIG diode bank in series (x2) which drops the voltage back down to around 14.6v.
It's coupled to a cheap eBay 4S charger.

It's basically a bomb in a box but works very well and cost me nothing

What could go wrong

I just know if I did that starting the car wouldn't be the problem. but putting it out would.

[Spare tyre]

I have a big boy battery pack thing, it’s good

Always using it with my old heaps, also gives you the peace of mind that you in theory can jumpstart yourself without having to track down a stranger

My advice is get one that can be charged with usb rather than some bespoke cable

That way when you jump start some ropey motor, you can recharge it from said ropey motor without having to remember to get your bespoke cable out which you will have left elsewhere

I have a dbpower 1200a which I recommend

Also treat yourself to some jump leads that are longer than 5 meters

Quality is not that important in my mind as long as you have a bit of time on your hands

I carry both round and I’ve not found a situation that’s caught me out

I have a great pic of my jimmy charging up a massive Winnebago somewhere

[Mr-B]

I have a dbpower 1200 too, started my 3 litre diesel BMW no problem and the neighbours 2 litre diesel just before xmas which earned my a nice bottle of booze for my efforts

[MajorMantra]

I'm a big believer in the little lithium packs that are all over ebay and Amazon. They're probably horribly unsafe but, fingers crossed, I've not had an issue with mine yet.

I keep one permanently in the car and charge it every couple of months. I have a tiny one (slightly bigger than a phone) which lives in the rucksack I wear on my motorbike. It saved me a lot of faff just a couple of days ago...

Edited by MajorMantra on Wednesday 30th January 12:41

[Smokehead]

MajorMantra said:

I'm a big believer in the little lithium packs that are all over ebay and Amazon. They're probably horribly unsafe but, fingers crossed, I've not had an issue with mine yet.

I keep one permanently in the car and charge it every couple of months. I have a tiny one (slightly bigger than a phone) which lives in the rucksack wear on my motorbike. It saved me a lot of faff just a couple of days ago...

They are a fantastic get out of jail free card. Thoroughly recommend them. Good for keeping your phone going too.

[j4ckos mate]

Id be very careful with LI ion batteries,
the airlines are terrified of them

[jay140285]

I’ve got one of these, but I get called out to get 7.5t horse lorries started especially in this cold.

It’s brilliant but not cheap. Have a look on eBay, there are some used ones about

[J4CKO]

I went with what I knew, ordered a Ctek MX5 at 9pm last night, it arrived by lunchtime today, got home and stuck it on charge.

Will go and see how its doing in a bit.

I had the 0.8 one before, I bought the only one the local car place had, it was ok but obviously slow, it came back dead after a neighbour borrowed it for their car that had electrical issues, hopefully this one will last.

Be interesting to see how long it holds a charge, I think its a combination of the cold, lack of use and the Android head unit drawing current even when its powered down, will look at the fuses and perhaps check what its drawing or just whip the fuse out until I need it.

[sedatepace]

Also been looking for a replacement for an old heavy lead acid pack that will no longer hold charge.

Anyone tried a super capacitor pack such as one of the Sealey ElectroStart range?