leven jump leads

[shropshire lad]

I have read on the forum about the dangers of jump starting a Chimaera or Griffith , but also some argue that as a last resort it can be done and the risk of damage is low.
There is no doubt that faffing about in the footwell is no fun , so is it worth the £70 for the the Leven (JC1) part that allows battery charging and jump starting from the engine bay ( I would see it as insurance). I already have the battery charger and lead for use in the cigarette lighter. What do the experts think ?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I had a Chimaera with this accessory....

...I didn't have cause to use it though. I guess the tip is don't let the battery get that low!

[pzero64]

My battery started to suffer in the cold weeks leading upto Christmas. Definitely had a slight hesitancy starting on one or two of the frosty mornings.

Didn’t use car for over a week during the Christmas break.

When my wife needed some animal feed that we were running out of on New Years Eve I thought it would be a good opportunity to go and get it in the car to give it a run. Sure enough, slow turn over of the starter motor but it started. Game on. Give it a little run I thought.

Quick blast. Put food bag in boot, got in car, turned key, cooling fans kicked in. Nea, nea, nea, nea, click, click, nothing. Bollocks!

Went back in shop and asked for assistance.

Happy to help.

Helper reversed van over to my car.

I plugged in thingy leads bit to socket under the bonnet. Accidentally touched ends of leads together, car alarm went off, central locking worked, locked keys in car. Windows at up position. Sick feeling in stomach.

Got in via magical mystery method, car started a treat on jump leads. New battery a couple of days later. No trouble since then. If there are possible problems with jump-starting, I haven’t had them yet. Maybe I am lucky?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

pzero64 said:

When my wife needed some animal feed ...Maybe I am lucky?

Sounds cheaper than champagne, oysters & caviar anyway.

[mongoose]

My current griff has the Leven leads fitted,and it has proved usefull.Theres no denying that £70 is a lot for the convenience,but as with all the Leven kit it is a very well made product.If you want to,you could make your own easily enough with all the parts being available from the likes of Vehicle Wiring Products.Alternatively,you can also charge the car using the alternator live terminal,or the starter live,although i'm not keen on this.

[shropshire lad]

Well thanks for the replies.I try not to let the battery get low , but on balance I like the idea of convenience .Despite the price I think I'll get one.