Jump Leads

[dtmpower]

Finally had to replace the battery on the 330Cd today - 8 years old and it would not crank more than once before expiring.

I have some jump leads, but they are piddly little things.

Turned up to work and my boss, ex-mechanic, let me borrow his leads - chunky cable, decent insulated man sized connectors.

So now I want some similar, seems like a good investment - can anyone share some jump starting woes and good leads to buy.

So far these seem a good bet:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600AMP-HEAVY-DUTY-CAR-JU...

Edited by dtmpower on Monday 18th March 16:25

[Dr Interceptor]

They're expensive...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

A third the price, and will do everything you ever need them to.

[Gad-Westy]

Bought some AA branded ones from Motorworld a few weeks ago. Supposedly safe for engines up to 3500cc. Melted both the plastic and contacts within a few seconds of trying to start the car, a 2.0 litre. So, although I don't have a recommendation as such, just don't buy those ones.

[dtmpower]

Gad-Westy said:

Bought some AA branded ones from Motorworld a few weeks ago. Supposedly safe for engines up to 3500cc. Melted both the plastic and contacts within a few seconds of trying to start the car, a 2.0 litre. So, although I don't have a recommendation as such, just don't buy those ones.

Exactly this - how much were they and how big mm^2 is the cable ?

[Zad]

I got a pair of the thickest Halfords ones about 8 years ago, since been used to start a variety of engines without any sign of melting. I think I paid about 16 quid then, in one of their regular sales.

[HustleRussell]

I found myself in need for a set once but it was late at night and my only option was BP. They did the job on that occasion (it was a 1.2 Renault Clio!), but last week I attempted to use the same cables to start my 525i. They were pathetic- we ended up sitting there waiting for the battery to slowly 'charge' off the other car. It started in the end, but not before nearly an hour had passed...
Tempted to make my own, to be honest, out of welding earth clamps and super heavy gauge cable.

[blugnu]

Zad said:

I got a pair of the thickest Halfords ones about 8 years ago, since been used to start a variety of engines without any sign of melting. I think I paid about 16 quid then, in one of their regular sales.

I did this too - might have paid £20. They were to replace a set that went missing from my car boot - I can only think they were 'borrowed' when at the garage. I don't use that garage any more, and I've only used the jump leads once. I wouldn't spend £100-odd on them if you've managed 8 years without them!

[smartphone hater]

dtmpower said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600AMP-HEAVY-DUTY-CAR-JU...

Is the world going mad? 113 quid for a set of jump leads!


A quick google search came up with these.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trade-Quality-800amp-Metre...

Or these, same but shorter.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jump-Lead-Super-Heavy-Duty...

Edited by smartphone hater on Monday 18th March 16:41

[Gad-Westy]

dtmpower said:

Gad-Westy said:

Bought some AA branded ones from Motorworld a few weeks ago. Supposedly safe for engines up to 3500cc. Melted both the plastic and contacts within a few seconds of trying to start the car, a 2.0 litre. So, although I don't have a recommendation as such, just don't buy those ones.

Exactly this - how much were they and how big mm^2 is the cable ?

Can't remember the mm^2 but about £25. Either way, ste!

[boz1]

Absolutely agree with everyone above - £113 is a complete joke! The only thing to watch out for seems to be cheap ones which might have chunky insulation but a tiny actual wire inside, so just buy something solid based on its rated current and the diameter of the wire.

I bought these: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/...

I used them to start a 2.5l petrol with another 2.5l (twice in a row as it died immediately the first time!) with no problem.

[GuyWMD]

For the life of me I can't remember who makes them but I picked up a set from Costco last year and they're rather beefy.
Certainly had no problems with them and they were regularly used to jump a friends 330ci from my 330d. They got a little warm but nothing out of the ordinary.

Long enough as well. From memory they were £30-£40

[fat freddie]

smartphone hater said:

Or these, same but shorter.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jump-Lead-Super-Heavy-Duty...

Bought a pair of these last year, only had to use them once to start a 2 litre Diesel off my Merc but they worked fine.

[grafter99]

Machine mart do a set of real heavy duty leads for £36. I think the cable is 54mm2 thick and can start a 7litre petrol.

[shoehorn]

smartphone hater said:

Is the world going mad? 113 quid for a set of jump leads?

Edited by smartphone hater on Monday 18th March 16:41

The £100 upwards ones are aimed at trade/workshop,almost constant use and usually have cast brass clamps rather than pressed stuff.
The cheaper ones tend to lose current carrying capacity quickly with moderate to heavy use.
For what its worth,mine are Snap on items bought about 20 years ago for around £200 and at nearly 30ft long make it handy for those times when you cant go nose to nose.
And have made a useful temporary tow rope more than once.

[McWigglebum4th]

smartphone hater said:

dtmpower said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600AMP-HEAVY-DUTY-CAR-JU...

Is the world going mad? 113 quid for a set of jump leads!

I spent that on making a set

But they are about 16 foot long and plug into a plug on the landrover

[Harvey Mushman00]

HustleRussell said:

I found myself in need for a set once but it was late at night and my only option was BP. They did the job on that occasion (it was a 1.2 Renault Clio!), but last week I attempted to use the same cables to start my 525i. They were pathetic- we ended up sitting there waiting for the battery to slowly 'charge' off the other car. It started in the end, but not before nearly an hour had passed...
Tempted to make my own, to be honest, out of welding earth clamps and super heavy gauge cable.

Exactly what i did, used to jump start my 12 litre Scania no problem

[Agrispeed]

shoehorn said:

smartphone hater said:

Is the world going mad? 113 quid for a set of jump leads?

Edited by smartphone hater on Monday 18th March 16:41

The £100 upwards ones are aimed at trade/workshop,almost constant use and usually have cast brass clamps rather than pressed stuff.
The cheaper ones tend to lose current carrying capacity quickly with moderate to heavy use.
For what its worth,mine are Snap on items bought about 20 years ago for around £200 and at nearly 30ft long make it handy for those times when you cant go nose to nose.
And have made a useful temporary tow rope more than once.

Depending on how often they are used and what on the more expensive ones are worth it. probably not for the average motorist though but when you've got a machine that could be earning money stuck with a flat battery the are quite handy.

Not sure a normal set would jump a 11L diesel... or even reach...

I did once melt/bork a really cheap set on my triumph spitfire, so some are really crap a good mid range set would probably last a lifetime, with a little care.

[chrisw666]

I bought a cheap set from eBay last year because I wanted enough stuff to pull my £1000 shed out of the muck if I broke down abroad. I've since used them twice both to start the 'better diesels' that neighbours own and the leads haven't melted yet.

[traffman]

Jeezuz 113 quid , i like buying quality ..but .

Are they made by the Monster Cable people?

We have chunk quality ones from Halfrauds comes with a plastic box and weve had them years.

[SteveinTurkey]

I always like to be prepared, so I keep a set of jump leads in the car. A few weeks ago I parked outside a shop and when I came to start the car it was dead - the battery had died (4 years old). I got a friend to give me a jump start but my car would not start using my leads (or my friends' leads). It would hardly turn over. A garage man turned up with a battery and some proper leads and the car started instantly.

On inspection my leads, which I had bought based on the "chunky" and flexible nature of the cables, turned out to be all insulation and minimal conductor. The wire core was about the thickness of a cheap pencil lead and the method of connection of the wire to the clamps was totally inadequate. So the leads were guarranteed to not work.

If I can find some decent cable then I shall make my own jump leads, as the clamps I have from the useless leads seem ok to re-use.