Jump Starter Packs

[Alpha97]

Has anyone got any experience with jump starter packs?

My car is hardly used now that I commute by train, occasionally it will fail to start after a couple of weeks. I really haven't got the time to keep driving it to charge the battery (how un-PH, I know) so I was wondering whether a jump start pack might be the answer to getting it started every so often?

The battery is about 6 months old, so no problems there. From this test the one sold by Halfords appears to be pretty good?

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/265...

So PH, yay or nay?

I don't think there is a solution to keeping the battery charged without driving it, it's in an underground car park with no sun light or power sockets. I can't keep the battery disconnected as the alarm won't function.

[jeff m2]

I store my Corvette and TVR for the winter, neither all that suitable for snow.
Usually December to March or April.
I have a battery disconnect on the TVR, but I leave the Corvette battery connected. Both usually start ok but do have my Starter Pack at hand as "insurance".

I consider it an essential tool.
As I have a wife that has been known to leave her lights on

[Shuvi McTupya]

They seem fine on smaller engines. The one I have struggles to get my old Lexus going, but then my jump pack might be on the way out..

[Gruber]

I've got one of these:

http://www.silverlinetools.com/products?search=234...

It was bought to start my 635csi when I had it. Never failed to do the job. Now a useful thing to keep in the cupboard for emergencies.

[thinfourth2]

With a battery pack you have to open the bonnet and contend with a small amount of faffing

Why don't you take the battery out of the car and recharge it in your flat.

You don't need to take a battery pack in the car, your car battery isn't at risk of being discharged an damaged and no bugger is going to steal your car so no need for an alarm.


Silly concept but it might work

[Six Fiend]

I used to carry the Halfords 200 in my van, but it was mainly used to power an extra heater in the back on night jobs when I stopped for a snooze. The light was great too.

As a jump starter it is very good, have come to the rescue fo a couple of poeple (one blocking me in!) and also myself.

[Alpha97]

thinfourth2 said:

With a battery pack you have to open the bonnet and contend with a small amount of faffing

Why don't you take the battery out of the car and recharge it in your flat.

You don't need to take a battery pack in the car, your car battery isn't at risk of being discharged an damaged and no bugger is going to steal your car so no need for an alarm.


Silly concept but it might work

The problem with that is the temperamental original alarm fitted to early S2000s. I'm worried that having it disconnected may cause it to finally give up the ghost.

[thinfourth2]

Alpha97 said:

The problem with that is the temperamental original alarm fitted to early S2000s. I'm worried that having it disconnected may cause it to finally give up the ghost.

Can it be removed and binned

A car alarm does nothing other then make a noise it doesn't stop a scrote from nicking stuff

[Andyjc86]

We use this: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

It gets used regulary to start all sort of vehicles, 3.5l diesel is about the biggest I've jumped.

[GreigM]

With a decent battery it shouldn't be going flat after a couple of weeks...what kind of battery was it, something decent? I always put Bosch silver in my cars and never have any issues (you can get em from Costco or eurocarparts at a decent rate).

[rallycross]

Most of these jump packs (the cheaper ones) are rubbish, they dont last very long and struggle to start bigger cars.

You are better off just buying a battery with a handle (£30) and using good quality jump leads when needed.

[Liquid Tuna]

I bought one and wasn't that impressed with it. Started my sisters little fiat ok, but no good on my mondeo. After 2 years the battery no longer charges (you're supposed to charge it every 3 months if you haven't used it earlier). I read all the instructions and followed them religiously (36 hr charge when new, then 12hr charge every 3 months etc). P*ss poor.

[kambites]

I had a Clarke one, which managed to turn over everything I ever tried it on.

It lasted about seven years of moderate use before the battery died, which I thought was quite reasonable. I just left my constantly plugged in when not using it.

[telecat]

I ha an "el cheapo" one from Nettto which can still be bought from Maplins.



It has been around for at least 7 years and still works!!! Good where the battery is still good but discharged but if the battery has gone then you need a bigger one.

[Shuvi McTupya]

telecat said:

It has been around for at least 7 years and still works!!! Good where the battery is still good but discharged but if the battery has gone then you need a bigger one.

Actually you may have a point, as i said earlier in the thread, mine was struggling to start my Old Lexus, but i discovered i needed a new battery.

Maybe i wont give up on it.

[jonno990]

I have been thinking of one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-Solar-Panel-Battery-...

Anybody ever used one?

[NiceCupOfTea]

I've had a Halfords 200 for 3 or 4 years - used to get used regularly when I had a dodgy battery in the Saab, always worked fine, and got a lot more jumps out of it that the instructions suggested. Also has an inverter, compressor, & light built in - in fact since my foot pump broke a few years back I've just used this for inflating tyres.

It's never let me down and just sits on charge in the garage. I have a feeling that the battery might be on the way out though, not sure if you can get a replacement or whether the whole thing needs binning. Just had a quick look & they are £100 new.

[TheD]

I bought the Halfords one and it was useless. I decided to get the Clarke 1000 and it has been great. Has often started a 4 litre Jeep from total dead and a Jag XJR as well. It has been used on mnay occasions and never fails to impress.

[FoundOnRoadside]

Why not plug in one of those solar trickle chargers? Even if you park your car in the garage, run the charger out the window on a long wire.

[Cupramax]

I've got the Clarke 4000 on that list. Used it for my boat as a backup for years without an issue (you cant call the AA while out at sea ) It will jump start a small Elephant which is slight overkill, but better too much power than not enough.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...