Battery + AA

Prisoner6409

My car would not start and to cut a long story short I rang the AA for help. The AA guy arrived and hooked up a power pack to the battery and got the car started. The item he used had battery charger type leads coming out of a small plastic case, I think it was a power booster pack or some such thing. The AA guy said it would start a truck. So to my question, does anyone know what these things are called and where I could buy one. I would not necessarily need one to start a truck but certainly one powerfull enough to start a 2 litre engine. Thanks.

jimgoose

They're usually known as starter packs or power packs. Halfords sell them, along with many motor factors. I have an older version of the Halfords PowerPack 200:

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/tools-diy/inverters-power-packs/halfords-powerpack-200

biko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0utNemFsl8

Special Circumstances

You'd be better off putting that money toward a good quality battery for yourself, UNLESS there are a number of cars around your house that don't move all that often and need a boost to start. IMHO.
Decent booster pack would be a good chunk of the price of a battery.

Mervyn Skidmore

Special Circumstances wrote: »

You'd be better off putting that money toward a good quality battery for yourself, UNLESS there are a number of cars around your house that don't move all that often and need a boost to start. IMHO.
Decent booster pack would be a good chunk of the price of a battery.

This is true but those power packs are very handy. They sometimes have lamps, USB ports, plug sockets, and multiple cigarette lighter outlets.

pippip

My dads one has an air compressor too, handy for tyres and anything inflatable really.

Del2005

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

This is true but those power packs are very handy. They sometimes have lamps, USB ports, plug sockets, and multiple cigarette lighter outlets.

You could buy each of those items separately for less money, better quality and much easier to use. And you can be guaranteed that the pack won't have enough juice when you need it, especially if you use the added features.

Melodeon

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Decent booster pack would be a good chunk of the price of a battery.

A decent booster pack (in my opinion) will run the price of several decent batteries:
http://www.jtmpower.ie/booster-starter-easy-start-1-12-volt-starting-power-2200-peak-amps-booster-starter-jump-starter-booster-start-.html

My one of the above has done sterling service over the years, starting many a recalcitrant car, truck, tractor, digger, etc, etc.

Are these Halfords/car accessory shop jobs actually any use, or are they only a placebo that'll fail when they're really needed: on a dirty cold wet morning when there's something urgent that needs doing and you've left the sidelights on all night?

Special Circumstances

Special Circumstances wrote: »

You'd be better off putting that money toward a good quality battery for yourself, UNLESS there are a number of cars around your house that don't move all that often and need a boost to start. IMHO.

True... but if you have a number of cars around the house you can always use jump leads.

*Kol*

A booster pack is only as good as the charge that's in it no matter how much it cost. If it's used and then not recharged it's not going to be any good. Are you supposed to leave them on charge when not in use or just charge them up and they are good to go for the next time you use them?

*Kol*

jimgoose wrote: »

They're usually known as starter packs or power packs. Halfords sell them, along with many motor factors. I have an older version of the Halfords PowerPack 200:

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/tools-diy/inverters-power-packs/halfords-powerpack-200

The reviews on the Halfords website wouldn't inspire confidence.

jimgoose

*Kol* wrote: »

The reviews on the Halfords website wouldn't inspire confidence.

Indeed. I have older PP200 model, with a 300W inverter. Six years now, moderate usage, good bit of kit.

Nichard Dixon

*Kol* wrote: »

A booster pack is only as good as the charge that's in it no matter how much it cost. If it's used and then not recharged it's not going to be any good. Are you supposed to leave them on charge when not in use or just charge them up and they are good to go for the next time you use them?

Somewhere in between, I imagine.
if you charge it today, it will be fine tomorrow, but it might be wise to charge it from time to time.

Melodeon

The pro ones are certainly designed to be left permanently on the charger, don't know about the consumer versions.