Booster/starter packs, what should I be looking for?

[V1nce Fox]

Thinking about getting one of these as a useful tool to have around/get out of trouble with. I don't really know much about them though.

Anyone buy a good one/good brand? What sort of power/numbers are ideal? It'd be used for starting normal cars, nothing over 3 litres.

[HustleRussell]

My concern with these is that it's just another battery which will sit around unused gradually reducing in performance, especially if kept in a cold garage. I can imagine finally - years down the line - having a use for my booster pack only to find that it's gone flat in storage and / or turns out to be a bit pants because of years of sitting idle.

[FlyingPanda]

I have had one of these for the last few years. Used it twice, but seems to hold its charge for several months. Did have to give it about an hour’s charge before using it the last time though.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/YABER-Starter-20000mAh-Po...

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I've a few big ole' boy jumper packs.

I recently bought a very small lithium kiddy & it's superb. You can hold it in the palm of your hand & comes with goodies.

[V1nce Fox]

Thanks for the replies so far chaps.

See, I'm not sure what I need to look at for size with these? In my memory, they're massive JCB looking things, but the link to the first one on here looks more like something you'd charge a phone with.

I'm not so good with the electrics.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

V1nce Fox said:

Thanks for the replies so far chaps.

See, I'm not sure what I need to look at for size with these? In my memory, they're massive JCB looking things, but the link to the first one on here looks more like something you'd charge a phone with.

I'm not so good with the electrics.

The old fashioned ones are the size of a small suitcase and weigh a lot. The modern ones are as small as a book and (in my experience) work very well. You can store it under your seat too.

[V1nce Fox]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

V1nce Fox said:

Thanks for the replies so far chaps.

See, I'm not sure what I need to look at for size with these? In my memory, they're massive JCB looking things, but the link to the first one on here looks more like something you'd charge a phone with.

I'm not so good with the electrics.

The old fashioned ones are the size of a small suitcase and weigh a lot. The modern ones are as small as a book and (in my experience) work very well. You can store it under your seat too.

So what numbers are the important ones when I look at them then? Biggest engine in our household is my M3 (3.2).

[Sheepshanks]

I got one from Costco (but it's widely available) and its handy feature is it has a compressor, so no more faffing around with wires when tyres need topping up. It also has a light and USB sockets which I thought might be handy in a power cut (we live in a semi-rural area). I set a calendar reminder to charge it every couple of months.

What I haven't needed to use it for is to start a car! I did use a similar one to jump start daughter's Jazz after one of her kids left the rear interior light on. Not much of a test though.

This is same one at Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/1000-Peak-Amp-Jumpstarter... I only paid about £65 for it.

[FlyingPanda]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The old fashioned ones are the size of a small suitcase and weigh a lot. The modern ones are as small as a book and (in my experience) work very well. You can store it under your seat too.

Yes, agreed, the one in my earlier link is about the size of a paperback book. (It does weigh a bit though). Amazing how much power they pack in, I have started a 4.5ltr V8 TVR and a 2.5ltr Diesel Landrover, both with no fuss at all (and the built-in torch is handy even in daylight)

I also used it to charge my phone on the last road trip!

[V1nce Fox]

Sheepshanks said:

I got one from Costco (but it's widely available) and its handy feature is it has a compressor, so no more faffing around with wires when tyres need topping up. It also has a light and USB sockets which I thought might be handy in a power cut (we live in a semi-rural area). I set a calendar reminder to charge it every couple of months.

What I haven't needed to use it for is to start a car! I did use a similar one to jump start daughter's Jazz after one of her kids left the rear interior light on. Not much of a test though.

This is same one at Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/1000-Peak-Amp-Jumpstarter... I only paid about £65 for it.

That's a butch looking thing!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

V1nce Fox said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

V1nce Fox said:

Thanks for the replies so far chaps.

See, I'm not sure what I need to look at for size with these? In my memory, they're massive JCB looking things, but the link to the first one on here looks more like something you'd charge a phone with.

I'm not so good with the electrics.

The old fashioned ones are the size of a small suitcase and weigh a lot. The modern ones are as small as a book and (in my experience) work very well. You can store it under your seat too.

So what numbers are the important ones when I look at them then? Biggest engine in our household is my M3 (3.2).

What happened to nothing over 3 litres?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

V1nce Fox said:

It'd be used for starting normal cars, nothing over 3 litres.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Copy & paste this into ebay

16800mAh Heavy Duty 400A USB Jump Starter Battery Car Power Bank Charger Booster

Item number

392831717029

and only about £36

[V1nce Fox]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Copy & paste this into ebay

16800mAh Heavy Duty 400A USB Jump Starter Battery Car Power Bank Charger Booster

Item number

392831717029

and only about £36

That looks a bargain! Many thanks

[Chubbyross]

V1nce Fox said:

Sheepshanks said:

I got one from Costco (but it's widely available) and its handy feature is it has a compressor, so no more faffing around with wires when tyres need topping up. It also has a light and USB sockets which I thought might be handy in a power cut (we live in a semi-rural area). I set a calendar reminder to charge it every couple of months.

What I haven't needed to use it for is to start a car! I did use a similar one to jump start daughter's Jazz after one of her kids left the rear interior light on. Not much of a test though.

This is same one at Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/1000-Peak-Amp-Jumpstarter... I only paid about £65 for it.

That's a butch looking thing!

They’re not generally marketed towards the ladies. Can you tell?!

[A1VDY]

The very small lithium ones are only for starting with a semi flat battery, they're no good for starting anything even small petrol if the battery is totally flat.
We've had a couple of Snap On ones and even they degenerate over time. Not much use in the middle of nowhere but there's nothing like a mains 600amp start/charger..

[Green1man]

A1VDY said:

The very small lithium ones are only for starting with a semi flat battery, they're no good for starting anything even small petrol if the battery is totally flat.
We've had a couple of Snap On ones and even they degenerate over time. Not much use in the middle of nowhere but there's nothing like a mains 600amp start/charger..

Not necessarily true. Some of the smaller ones seem very capable. See this review, US based but some of the products are available here.

https://youtu.be/JN8A2nIMUWA

[The Mad Monk]

Green1man said:

Not necessarily true. Some of the smaller ones seem very capable. See this review, US based but some of the products are available here.

https://youtu.be/JN8A2nIMUWA

Don't those presenters gabble!

[melhookv12]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Copy & paste this into ebay

16800mAh Heavy Duty 400A USB Jump Starter Battery Car Power Bank Charger Booster

Item number

392831717029

and only about £36

Have you used this particular one 2smokingbarrels ?
Looking for an Xmas gift for my father.

Thanks

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

melhookv12 said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Copy & paste this into ebay

16800mAh Heavy Duty 400A USB Jump Starter Battery Car Power Bank Charger Booster

Item number

392831717029

and only about £36

Have you used this particular one 2smokingbarrels ?
Looking for an Xmas gift for my father.

Thanks

I have and it was spot on. (got a damsel in distress going in no time)