Truly Portable (mains free) Jump Starter?

cormie

I had been meaning to get a portable jump starter and was happy to see Lidl had one on special, only to find out (after I bought it ) that you actually need it plugged in to jump the vehicle. I thought the mains adapter was just to charge it up!

So now I'm looking for recommendations on a truly portable one that you can charge up and it will hold somewhat of a charge for a few days and will have enough power to jump a van.

I had a quick look on Amazon for alternatives and see this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-RS131-900A-Emergency-Power/dp/9801434716/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1421451015&sr=8-8&keywords=portable+jump+starter


and this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Streetwize-SWPP5-Power-Pack/dp/B004ITAF72/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1421451015&sr=8-10&keywords=portable+jump+starter

but if anyone has any other recommendations or suggestions, please share

kingtut

I bought one in Halfords years ago, can't find the exact one I got but they still sell similar ones, for example:

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/garage-equipment/portable-power-packs/halfords-powerpack-100

You plug it into the mains to charge it but it doesn't need to be plugged into the mains to jump start the car (mine saved me a few times when my previous car kept breaking down!)

Mine has a light at the side (very handy) and also has a thing for pressurising tyres.

Oh and here is a listing of the ones they currently stock:
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/garage-equipment/portable-power-packs

Atlantic Dawn

I have seen online on US sites portable charging packs about the size of a laptop battery, they held a full charge for a good 6 months that would charge your car, think they were around $100. On the mobile now, will post a link later.

R.O.R

We have one of these in the office

AQ-TRON Super mini booster


Haven't a clue where it came from, but it's brilliant. As long as it's not left unplugged for a while, it's started everything we've thrown at it.

A lot easier to lug around than the 2 big booster packs we have in the garage, and starts stuff they won't.

Can't find a link to anywhere in Ireland that sells them - http://marinebattery.be/en/products/aq-tron-super-mini-booster-1 is the best I can find at the moment.

cormie

Thanks for the replies folks.

Have always thought Halfords to be overprices compared to what you could find on the likes of Amazon, I wonder how their jump starters weigh up?


I thought you must have been talking about a trickle charger Atlantic Dawn, but I did a quick google and came across this: http://www.amazon.com/PowerAll-PBJS12000R-Rosso-Portable-Starter/dp/B00D42AFS8

It looks pretty impressive. I wonder would it stand a chance at starting a 2.4 diesel transit? By the looks of the description it might be fine?

cormie

R.O.R wrote: »

We have one of these in the office

AQ-TRON Super mini booster


Haven't a clue where it came from, but it's brilliant. As long as it's not left unplugged for a while, it's started everything we've thrown at it.

A lot easier to lug around than the 2 big booster packs we have in the garage, and starts stuff they won't.

Can't find a link to anywhere in Ireland that sells them - http://marinebattery.be/en/products/aq-tron-super-mini-booster-1 is the best I can find at the moment.

Thanks for that, getting a "threat has been detected" warning from my AV on that link though

Have you tried vans and everything with that R.O.R?

Atlantic Dawn

cormie wrote: »

I thought you must have been talking about a trickle charger Atlantic Dawn, but I did a quick google and came across this: http://www.amazon.com/PowerAll-PBJS12000R-Rosso-Portable-Starter/dp/B00D42AFS8

It looks pretty impressive. I wonder would it stand a chance at starting a 2.4 diesel transit? By the looks of the description it might be fine?

Yes that's one if them. I spotted some advertising videos of them on Youtube, theres a higher capacity one that will start the large US sized SUV's so the 2.4 transit would be fine on those.

kingtut

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies folks.

Have always thought Halfords to be overprices compared to what you could find on the likes of Amazon, I wonder how their jump starters weigh up?

With amazon you have to factor in shipping costs where as with Halfords you just take it off the shelf. Also if something is wrong it's easier/quicker to return to an actual store. Bare in mind these starters are reasonably heavy.

I agree Halfords can be pricey and I'm not a regular in there at all for that very reason, I just needed a jump starter and at the time they had the most reasonably priced one (had it 3/4 years now).

R.O.R

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for that, getting a "threat has been detected" warning from my AV on that link though

Have you tried vans and everything with that R.O.R?

No warnings from our antivirus

Not had to jump any big Transits with it, but definitely used it on a Caddy 1.9Tdi and a Connect 1.8Tdi.

Brought a 520d to life last week, that hadn't been started in about 9 months, so I'd say it should cope with a flat Transit.

http://www.ronex.ee/index.php?product_id=29457&page=79&action=show_product_details&&group_id=3064 has it at €197.32, but no idea on postage (from Tallin)

Can't find a single link for Ireland or the UK, to buy it on line. Really do wonder where this one appeared from.

cormie

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Yes that's one if them. I spotted some advertising videos of them on Youtube, theres a higher capacity one that will start the large US sized SUV's so the 2.4 transit would be fine on those.

Cool, if there's any way you can throw up a link to the higher capacity one later that would be great!

kingtut wrote: »

With amazon you have to factor in shipping costs where as with Halfords you just take it off the shelf. Also if something is wrong it's easier/quicker to return to an actual store. Bare in mind these starters are reasonably heavy.

I agree Halfords can be pricey and I'm not a regular in there at all for that very reason, I just needed a jump starter and at the time they had the most reasonably priced one (had it 3/4 years now).

Thanks for the input, I used Amazons return service for the first time a few months ago and was really impressed with it, you just print out a shipping label from the website, bring it to the post office and that's it, no charge. That only applies to products sold or fulfilled by amazon of course so buying from another reseller wouldn't have the same level of convenience and would probably cost a bomb to send back something so heavy. Amazon shipping is generally free for something that value and then you can use parcel motel for anyone who won't ship to Ireland or where the cost is too high

R.O.R wrote: »

No warnings from our antivirus

Not had to jump any big Transits with it, but definitely used it on a Caddy 1.9Tdi and a Connect 1.8Tdi.

Brought a 520d to life last week, that hadn't been started in about 9 months, so I'd say it should cope with a flat Transit.

http://www.ronex.ee/index.php?product_id=29457&page=79&action=show_product_details&&group_id=3064 has it at €197.32, but no idea on postage (from Tallin)

Can't find a single link for Ireland or the UK, to buy it on line. Really do wonder where this one appeared from.

Thanks again, that's pricey but sounds like a pretty powerful unit. I think I'd probably rather the more compact one Atlantic Dawn has linked to, just so I'd be able to keep one in the van without it taking up too much space for any international trips that will have me going to any remote areas, might get me out of a tricky situation Although it would probably get more use just starting vans parked right outside, but if they can both do that, I could get 2 of the compact ones for the price of the AQ-TRON so might do that.

pete4130

IF your starting bigger diesel engines you'll need a higher amp rated booster. It takes a lot more to turn over a big diesel. I've got a 1200amp with a max capacity of 1900amp for my Landcruiser which is a big 4.2L diesel in case I get stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Before I had it, my batteries died (main one was on its way out and 2nd one was useless) and I called my roadside rescue. His smaller 600-700 amp unit didn't do anything for me.

jimgoose

I bought a Halfords Powerpack 200 in 2009, mighty yoke.

Atlantic Dawn

Think this was it...

http://junopower.com/products/jumpr-cars-best-friend-jumpstart-cars-on-the-go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqQOyHTCKk0

ironclaw

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Think this was it...

http://junopower.com/products/jumpr-cars-best-friend-jumpstart-cars-on-the-go

Can personally confirm this is a phenomenal unit. And on the plus side, you can charge your phone as well.

cormie

Thanks again for the replies folks.

I can never get my head around amp, Mah, voltage, peak and all these ratings

If you can imagine a 2.4 diesel transit with a dead battery and the battery is say a powerful one for a transit, how many of these could jump it with no effort I wonder?

R.O.R's suggestion:
http://www.ronex.ee/index.php?product_id=29457&page=79&action=show_product_details&&group_id=3064
1200a / 900 peak*
Estimated cost: €250 delivered

Kingtut and Jimgoose:
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/garage-equipment/portable-power-packs/halfords-powerpack-200
650 amp*
Estimated cost: €135 collected

ironclaw and Atlantic dawn:
http://junopower.com/products/jumpr-cars-best-friend-jumpstart-cars-on-the-go
300 amp*
Estimated cost: €140 delivered after import duties
Doesn't seem to ship to Ireland however

Alternative found on Amazon with great reviews:
http://smile.amazon.com/PowerAll-PBJS12000R-Rosso-Portable-Starter/dp/B00D42AFS8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1415606130&sr=1-1&keywords=PBJS12000R
400 amp*
Estimated cost: €117 delivered inc import duties


*These power ratings are not 100% definite and just my interpretation of what I saw on the pages and I'm still not even sure how they relate with the MAH ratings, voltage that go along with them.


I'd be happy with the size of the PowerAll one, it doesn't need to be as small as the junopower device and the Powerall has a flashlight and everything on it, cheaper and more powerful seemingly.

If even the powerall won't suffice for a transit, I'll just have to settle on the more traditional bigger packs.

jimgoose

cormie wrote: »

...Kingtut and Jimgoose:
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/garage-equipment/portable-power-packs/halfords-powerpack-200
650 amp*
Estimated cost: €135 collected...

650a CCA is decent enough for a starter pack. By comparison, a Yuasa Silver battery for a 2012 2l diesel Passat is rated at 760a, and that would be over-spec compared to OE. A 1.4l petrol Fiesta of the same year would be 620a. For shíts-'n'-giggles, the one in my 3l six-cylinder petrol is 850a and a 2.4l diesel Transit 800a.

pa990

cormie wrote: »

I had been meaning to get a portable jump starter and was happy to see Lidl had one on special, only to find out (after I bought it ) that you actually need it plugged in to jump the vehicle. I thought the mains adapter was just to charge it up!

..

I think you bought a trickle charger, rather than a booster pack

cormie

jimgoose wrote: »

650a CCA is decent enough for a starter pack. By comparison, a Yuasa Silver battery for a 2012 2l diesel Passat is rated at 760a, and that would be over-spec compared to OE. A 1.4l petrol Fiesta of the same year would be 620a. For shíts-'n'-giggles, the one in my 3l six-cylinder petrol is 850a and a 2.4l diesel Transit 800a.

That's so confusing for me :pac: Any idea if the PowerAll one would be adequate to start the van? It looks to be the best of both. Compact, usb charging, flashlight, affordable and then 400a which is more powerful than the Juno

pa990 wrote: »

I think you bought a trickle charger, rather than a booster pack

I bought the Jump Starter one, it's around the same size as the Halfords one linked to above. It was €49.99, they had a trickle charger too for €20. The trickle charger takes hours to charge, the jump starter can jump it after a few seconds, but has to be plugged in :rolleyes:

jimgoose

cormie wrote: »

That's so confusing for me :pac: Any idea if the PowerAll one would be adequate to start the van? It looks to be the best of both. Compact, usb charging, flashlight, affordable and then 400a which is more powerful than the Juno...

I would personally consider 400a CCA very low, but they say it's able for 4l V8s and it's certainly getting good write-ups.

Del2005

cormie wrote: »

Thanks again for the replies folks.

I can never get my head around amp, Mah, voltage, peak and all these ratings

If you can imagine a 2.4 diesel transit with a dead battery and the battery is say a powerful one for a transit, how many of these could jump it with no effort I wonder?

R.O.R's suggestion:
http://www.ronex.ee/index.php?product_id=29457&page=79&action=show_product_details&&group_id=3064
1200a / 900 peak*
Estimated cost: €250 delivered

Kingtut and Jimgoose:
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/garage-equipment/portable-power-packs/halfords-powerpack-200
650 amp*
Estimated cost: €135 collected

ironclaw and Atlantic dawn:
http://junopower.com/products/jumpr-cars-best-friend-jumpstart-cars-on-the-go
300 amp*
Estimated cost: €140 delivered after import duties
Doesn't seem to ship to Ireland however

Alternative found on Amazon with great reviews:
http://smile.amazon.com/PowerAll-PBJS12000R-Rosso-Portable-Starter/dp/B00D42AFS8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1415606130&sr=1-1&keywords=PBJS12000R
400 amp*
Estimated cost: €117 delivered inc import duties


*These power ratings are not 100% definite and just my interpretation of what I saw on the pages and I'm still not even sure how they relate with the MAH ratings, voltage that go along with them.


I'd be happy with the size of the PowerAll one, it doesn't need to be as small as the junopower device and the Powerall has a flashlight and everything on it, cheaper and more powerful seemingly.

If even the powerall won't suffice for a transit, I'll just have to settle on the more traditional bigger packs.

Have a look at the current battery in the van, it'll have its power details somewhere on it, then buy a starter pack with similar or higher ratings.

Spook_ie

http://www.micksgarage.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=2984762

Daysuls up to 2200cc rated at 1200 amp Also on the PLUS SIDE (not sure if the others do) can charge up from a cigar lighter as you drive


As regards the ampage the bigger the better

jimgoose

Spook_ie wrote: »

http://www.micksgarage.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=2984762

Daysuls up to 2200cc rated at 1200 amp Also on the PLUS SIDE (not sure if the others do) can charge up from a cigar lighter as you drive


As regards the ampage the bigger the better

IIRC the Halfords Powerpack 200 does.

enricoh

op i had the previos model of that sealey one a few years ago n it lasted no time. had a sealey one for 10 years previous n done heaps of work, even started the 12 ton digger the whole time. new ones were delicate.
ended up getting a dynamo or two done n a few new batteries n will never go back to that crap of getting jumpstart, jumpstart low, looking for the leads, get the jeep n half an hour later i'm ready to work!

cormie

jimgoose wrote: »

I would personally consider 400a CCA very low, but they say it's able for 4l V8s and it's certainly getting good write-ups.

Del2005 wrote: »

Have a look at the current battery in the van, it'll have its power details somewhere on it, then buy a starter pack with similar or higher ratings.

These are photos of two batteries from transits:



The clearer on is from a Transit I had parked up for the last 40 days at least without starting it at all. I needed to drive it today for the first time and was obviously thinking I'd have to jump it, especially given the weather over that 40 days and the last few days and temperature at the time of wanting to start it. It started immediately first time, no chugging or struggling, just straight away :eek: It's actually on a 2l fwd transit which are rare enough I think. The other one I think it may say 700 amps and is off a 2.4l rwd transit. Is an amp rating the same as CCA?

Spook_ie wrote: »

http://www.micksgarage.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=2984762

Daysuls up to 2200cc rated at 1200 amp Also on the PLUS SIDE (not sure if the others do) can charge up from a cigar lighter as you drive


As regards the ampage the bigger the better

I guess that wouldn't work for my 2.4l diesels then?

enricoh wrote: »

op i had the previos model of that sealey one a few years ago n it lasted no time. had a sealey one for 10 years previous n done heaps of work, even started the 12 ton digger the whole time. new ones were delicate.
ended up getting a dynamo or two done n a few new batteries n will never go back to that crap of getting jumpstart, jumpstart low, looking for the leads, get the jeep n half an hour later i'm ready to work!

What's the dynamo thing you're talking about? How does that work and how is it better than jumping?




Thanks again for all the feedback everyone!

gctest50

other approach - get a little engine and bolt an alternator to it

cormie

So I guess R.O.R's suggestion is the only one that will definitely handle my needs so far? Would prefer not to spend so much so if there's any chance the PowerAll one would cut it, that would be great!

theShire

This looks interesting http://www.micksgarage.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=4958356 - video shows the pack starting a v8 truck directly without the battery installed

Edit: sorry, won't suit the op as only 600cca

cormie

Thanks for the suggestion. If I could get away with one of the compact ones, it would be nice. If that has 600cca and the other Powerall one from the US only has 400, it could be a better choice. The Powerall one is said to be pretty powerful based on reviews but I'm not sure if it would be ok for the batteries I've pictured above? One thing about the one you linked to though, it says 300A Cold CCA, would a dead battery in a van that's been lying up overnight be considered a cold crank I wonder?

Skatedude

Avoid the halfords brand like the plague. Only suitable for smaller cars, they dont have anywhere near the juice for bigger cars.

marklazarcovic

maplin sell ones with jump starter..power inverter..compressor..light.. for under a tin..have one for few years... saved me many times

Del2005

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion. If I could get away with one of the compact ones, it would be nice. If that has 600cca and the other Powerall one from the US only has 400, it could be a better choice. The Powerall one is said to be pretty powerful based on reviews but I'm not sure if it would be ok for the batteries I've pictured above? One thing about the one you linked to though, it says 300A Cold CCA, would a dead battery in a van that's been lying up overnight be considered a cold crank I wonder?

If your batteries are 700CCA you'll need a starter pack that can handle it as you're going to have to assume it's to start a completely dead battery on the side of the road in the rain, no point in saving a few bob when ordering if it doesn't have the power to crank the engine. Would you replace the van battery with a 400CCA one?

BTW this is from experience as I cheaped out and bought a solar charger to keep the my bike battery topped up, it's a 1000cc twin, it worked fine during the summer months but it just isn't getting enough charge to start the bike now and I've had to keep it topped up with a charger

Spook_ie

Del2005 wrote: »

<snipped>

BTW this is from experience as I cheaped out and bought a solar charger to keep the my bike battery topped up, it's a 1000cc twin, it worked fine during the summer months but it just isn't getting enough charge to start the bike now and I've had to keep it topped up with a charger

Surely that's just because you're using the wrong sun though?

cormie

Thanks again for the replies folks. I wouldn't replace the van batteries with lower rated ones, I'd be better off spending extra on a better battery jumper than the cost of replacing all the batteries

What about this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/CLARKE-JUMPSTART-ONE-12v-STARTER/dp/B00NVKOV7E/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1422076742&sr=8-18&keywords=jump+start+battery+heavy#productDetails

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdm0WVCBcvI

Looks to be packed full of features and says it can start diesels up to 2.5L and has a CCA of 400 with a peak of 900.


Does anyone know the difference of CCA vs peak CCA and if it's 900 peak is that enough for my 700 batteries or do I need a non peak of over 700


Then there's this one which looks to be pretty powerful, but maybe I don't need something SO powerful and could get away with the cheaper, more feature rich one in the video?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarke-4000-Heavy-Engine-Starter/dp/B004M3V8X4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1422076024&sr=8-3&keywords=jump+start+battery+pack



EDIT: Hmm, there's this one too which is available in Dublin: http://mtsdirect.ie/SIP-Rescue-Pac-1600

Cerco

Micks Garage is advertising an Isparq 600A device which looks very interesting. Holds it's charge for 3 years and will start anything...vans SUVs etc.

cormie

That was linked to above already: http://www.micksgarage.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=4958356

but the problem is it only has 600 and 300 cold so I'm not sure if this would be enough for me, even though it says it can start trucks, SUV's etc, maybe they don't mean completely dead batteries. I would prefer something this size, but not much point if it won't get me out of a pickle.

cormie

cormie wrote: »

Thanks again for the replies folks. I wouldn't replace the van batteries with lower rated ones, I'd be better off spending extra on a better battery jumper than the cost of replacing all the batteries

What about this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/CLARKE-JUMPSTART-ONE-12v-STARTER/dp/B00NVKOV7E/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1422076742&sr=8-18&keywords=jump+start+battery+heavy#productDetails

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdm0WVCBcvI

Looks to be packed full of features and says it can start diesels up to 2.5L and has a CCA of 400 with a peak of 900.


Does anyone know the difference of CCA vs peak CCA and if it's 900 peak is that enough for my 700 batteries or do I need a non peak of over 700


Then there's this one which looks to be pretty powerful, but maybe I don't need something SO powerful and could get away with the cheaper, more feature rich one in the video?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarke-4000-Heavy-Engine-Starter/dp/B004M3V8X4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1422076024&sr=8-3&keywords=jump+start+battery+pack



EDIT: Hmm, there's this one too which is available in Dublin: http://mtsdirect.ie/SIP-Rescue-Pac-1600

Quick bump just to check opinions on the above options. Would these all suffice for a transit I wonder? Would prefer the one in the video out of the 3 but don't know if 400CCA/900 peak is enough

cormie

Looks like Aldi have one next week, but no info on power ratings: https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thurs-5-feb/products-detail-page/ps/p/jump-start-with-compressor-1/

I'm probably just going to have to gamble with one of the above since I'm not too sure which ones will definitely work for me

unkel

cormie wrote: »

the jump starter can jump it after a few seconds, but has to be plugged in :rolleyes:

cormie wrote: »

you actually need it plugged in to jump the vehicle.

That doesn't make sense. There's nowhere near enough current from a standard household socket to jump start a dead car battery.

A jump starter is just a smallish 12v car battery that if fully charged can jump start a slightly bigger car battery provided it's in reasonable health

cormie

I don't think it's actually a "jump starter" but more a charger with "jump start" ability

Check out the first step of jump starting "connect to mains"




And here's the spec:


I see its only 180a, so probably nowhere near enough for my 700 transit batteries anyway so think I'll have to go with one of the ones I asked about earlier either way!

unkel

From the picture alone the internal battery must be very small. I'd say that's only able to jump start bikes or cars with small petrol engines...

You bought the wrong thing. Why didn't you ask here first like you usually do?

cormie

Haha, it was actually mentioned in a thread before I bought it. I'm useless when it comes to power ratings etc so I didn't even think of all that. It did actually start a dead transit for me when plugged into the mains, but the battery wasn't completely dead, just didn't have enough to turn the engine by itself.

If 400a/900 peak is enough for a dead 700 transit battery, I'll go with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdm0WVCBcvI

If not, either this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarke-4000-Heavy-Engine-Starter/dp/B004M3V8X4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1422076024&sr=8-3&keywords=jump+start+battery+pack

or this: http://mtsdirect.ie/SIP-Rescue-Pac-1600

cormie

Just to update this, I had the same post on a ford transit forum and even though I was mentioning convenience and mobility, people were still saying I should instead go with a regular van battery and smart charger set up, so I think I'm almost convinced. I can get a much better battery for a lot cheaper that will give a much higher chance of jumping a dead one, and if worst comes to the worst, I can use the jump battery in the van itself.

I was thinking to get this battery:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/F18-Varta-Silver-Dynamic-Battery/dp/B007NY6GMM/?tag=fordtransit-21

and then I fortunately had what appears to be a smart charger which I bought in Aldi (actually thinking it would jump batteries when I bought it too, how naive of me )





Then I already have a set of jump leads in each van so I think that would be pretty much it, a much more powerful portable jump starter, with optional complete replacement for cheaper