Electronic Car Jump Start Kits

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Electronic Car Jump Start Kits

networkn

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#99959 30-Mar-2012 18:22

I have been thinking about getting one of these so I don't need to call the AA if I get stuck.

Anyone have any experience with them or can recommend one? I don't really want to spend a huge amount but I do want to ensure it's suitable for my 2011 BMW and 2005 Subaru Impreza.

Thanks for any advice.

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#602661 30-Mar-2012 18:23

Just get some from Repco

networkn

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#602662 30-Mar-2012 18:26

I know where to buy them, I guess I was after some information about to look for or avoid.

johnr

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#602666 30-Mar-2012 18:40

Thin cables that look cheap feel cheap are cheap avoid

networkn

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#602669 30-Mar-2012 18:43

I think you are misunderstanding what I am after. I am not just after jumper cables, I want a Electronic Starter kit.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=all&searchString=jump+starter&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=7&generalSearch_suggested=12

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#602676 30-Mar-2012 18:57

In your trademe reference those yellow $73 ones look like the one I have. Have had no problem with it and havent used it myself but the neighbours have. Even put it on the weakest battery in neighbours motorhome and worked well. Has compressor built in to top up tyre pressures. Takes a bit of room in boot but can come in handy alright

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#602677 30-Mar-2012 18:58

networkn: I think you are misunderstanding what I am after. I am not just after jumper cables, I want a Electronic Starter kit.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=all&searchString=jump+starter&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=7&generalSearch_suggested=12

They work ok, but like any battery powered device it goes flat when not been used, so chances are it will be flat when you really need to use it, and if it's plugged in at home charging, you will need it when you are out.

richms

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#602691 30-Mar-2012 19:23

Th 600 amp one I bought just had a large UPS battery in it of dodgey quality. came with a junk transformer (so unregulated) wallwart that did about 200mA on low line voltage so would take weeks to charge. the car charger was a straight thru cable with a diode in the jumpstarter so would only charge off a running car and then really really slowly if at all.

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#602693 30-Mar-2012 19:24

If you have 12V in your boot, the car will keep it charged? Agree the only value in it is if you a) have it on you and b) have it charged.

I carry jumper leads and can usually find someone to jump off. I also have two cars, so at home I can jump one off the other usually :-) However I would've bought something much like the $73 ones above, had I not bought the second car.

Final point; I have AA membership, which is always handy - particularly if im driving a vehicle that's not mine, or if I lock myself out, or have another unexplained mechanical issue that's not a flat battery....

No signature to see here, move along...

richms

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#603091 31-Mar-2012 23:38

There is nothing smart in the box to control the charge, so if you were to plug it in and leave it, then it would probably slowly cook itself depending on the battery type in the car, as the calcium ones seem to need a much higher float voltage than a conventional lead acid one (measure 14.6v in a friends newish car just after starting) - no idea how the headlamps survive that.

The diode in the jumpstarter would stop it discharging back into the ignition powered line when you had the car off, but I just dont know how well the battery in it would last with that constant abuse.

Inorder to fully charge mine in a reasonable time I just hooked my hobby charger up to the giant clips and set it to a 6 cell leadacid with a 1 amp rate since it is a 10 amphour battery in it. put about 6Ah into it from new, and I have not had it discharged a great deal since then.

Really should get around to putting a ciggy lighter socket in the boot so I can leave things charging up while I am away from the car.

Richard rich.ms

networkn

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#603092 31-Mar-2012 23:40

So really the only advantage of having the jumper kit, over jumper cables is that you don't need another car, but the downsides are that you need to have it charged before you need it, and carry it everywhere... Sounds like Jumper cables might be better.

richms

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#603094 31-Mar-2012 23:44

And its gutless, no way it would start a car from a dead battery, you have to connect it to the flat battery and let it drive somewhat of a charge into it over a few mins. however it does mean you are not putting a massive draw on the running car by connecting a totally dead battery across its electrical system. Handy if you have left something on and the battery is too low to crank but still has some juice in it.

I have lost a headlight bulb from the surge when jumping another car off mine once. Its the disconnection that usually does it since the alternator is at full bore and suddenly its load is gone. So having it to offer other people vs cables is a good thing however.

Richard rich.ms

networkn

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#603095 31-Mar-2012 23:46

I would like to think that new cars have surge protection, pretty sure I read that anything with onboard computers have something. Not sure about how the jumping car copes though.

richms

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#603098 31-Mar-2012 23:51

They do in the ECU and other things that matter. At least modern cars usually dont have to deal with halogen headlamps and their fussyness of voltage.

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#603099 31-Mar-2012 23:55

networkn: I would like to think that new cars have surge protection, pretty sure I read that anything with onboard computers have something. Not sure about how the jumping car copes though.

Worst thing that should happen would be a blown fuse. Just make sure to use the manufacturers recommendations. Which are usually +ve(red) to battery, -ve(black) to chassis. Then once started disconnect the black first. Then the red second.

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#603101 31-Mar-2012 23:57

And if you are disconnecting with the donor car running, turn on a decent amount of stuff first, some say to stop the donor before disconnecting which is what I do anyway now after losing the headlight

Richard rich.ms

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