Battery bank/jump starter for car

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Battery bank/jump starter for car

sudo

409 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 117

#253081 25-Jul-2019 08:26

Does anyone know of a decent battery pack to keep in a car.

So it can be used both to jump start a battery but also as a power bank for when I am doing an overnight camp (LED lights/charging electronics etc)

There seems to be a lot of them on Trademe, but they mostly seem to be the cheap ones that you see on Aliexpress.

1 | 2

1726 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1589

ID Verified

#2283229 25-Jul-2019 08:45

I've got one of the PowerAll ones that Repco sell. Seems to do what it says on the box. Has started both a 4 cyliinder turbo race car (multiple times on one day) and a diesel ute quite comfortably. USB outlets for charging electronics and a torch.

I just have to remember to check and charge it from time to time but seems to hold its charge for at least a couple of months.

MotorDrive Rallying

MurrayM

2505 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 744

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2283238 25-Jul-2019 09:05

I bought this one a couple of years ago: https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/computers-tablets/accessories/portable-power-banks/powerall-pbjs9000splus-slim-plus-9000mah-power-bank/prod149311.html

I've used it several times to jump start my car (I went through a phase of playing Pokemon Go and I'd park up somewhere and forget to turn my lights off, half an hour later I'd go to leave and found the battery flat). I got it on special, didn't pay the $118 that Noel Leeming are asking now.

I'd be very wary of buying batteries on TradeMe. I bought some rechargeable ones for my Wii controller and when I tested them they weren't anywhere near the power rating that they claimed to be. Seller refunded me and told me to throw the batteries away. Mislabeling batteries to claim that they're more powerful than they really are is a major problem when buying batteries online.

sudo

409 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 117

#2283264 25-Jul-2019 09:39

>I'd be very wary of buying batteries on TradeMe.

Wasn't planning to get one on TM, unless it was specifically reviewed recommended.

It's an easy place to glance to see what you can get in NZ.

dafman

4061 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2659

Trusted

#2283279 25-Jul-2019 09:48

I bought a Power All from Repco and have been very pleased with it. Noel's also sell these, so best to compare pricing. It comes in different battery sizes. Given I don't want to be caught short, I shelled out for the largest option (can't remember off top of head what size it is).

sudo

409 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 117

#2283475 25-Jul-2019 14:37

Powerall actually has some decent reviews, but Repco retail pricing is ~ $70 more than everywhere else ($318 vs $250 for the 600A/16,000mAh model). Repco seems to be like that on their pricing.

MurrayM

2505 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 744

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2283478 25-Jul-2019 14:47

sudo:

Powerall actually has some decent reviews, but Repco retail pricing is ~ $70 more than everywhere else ($318 vs $250 for the 600A/16,000mAh model). Repco seems to be like that on their pricing.

I agree. When I was looking to buy one I visited Repco and Noel Leemings and ended up buying from Noel Leemings as they were much cheaper than Repco.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

lNomNoml

1849 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 522

ID Verified

#2283481 25-Jul-2019 14:57

This works very well: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/BAPBPW0001/Boltpower-D28A-Universal-Power-Bank-13600mAh-31A-2

Talkiet

4819 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3935

Trusted

#2283482 25-Jul-2019 14:58

With one of these powerall units, could I keep it permanently charged up with a 12v solar panel straight into the charging port? (Looking for something to power an enclosed trailer - LED lights, intermittent extractor, probably not a winch, USB ports for phones and gopros etc)

Would prefer something I can setup once and leave so it will be a battery+solar of some description - Just thinking this might be an easy option.

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

richms

29124 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10244

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2283583 25-Jul-2019 16:16

The one I had the use of had the smarts in the ciggy plug that went to a standard DC barrel connector. The ciggy plug charger had a 12.6v current limted output and there was no end of charge cut off, so it was keeping the cells at 4.2v if it was plugged in. Thats a bad thing for lithiums.

Richard rich.ms

1eStar

1605 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 375

#2283751 25-Jul-2019 21:52

When it comes to the cells in packs they are either high discharge with lower capacity, or lower discharge with high capacity. So in essence the jump packs will have a lower capacity. If all you're wanting is a power bank the warehouse does a good 10000mAh unit for $30

timmmay

20882 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5363

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2283806 26-Jul-2019 06:47

If you want cheap and can live with ugly you could just buy another car battery, get a 12V to 5V USB from ebay, and charge it with a home battery charger. Total cost maybe $100. Then get one of those cheap warehouse power banks if you want something lighter and smaller for camping.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

rp1790

755 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 180

Lifetime subscriber

#2283819 26-Jul-2019 07:38

I bought one of the below for my daughter. Yes they are cheap but it works and as long as you keep it charged up every 3-6 months you'll be fine. She has a small Honda fit and it's started it three times.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/batteries-chargers/listing-2242617428.htm?rsqid=ee494c2c35134ee9a0148224cd71d033-001

I bought a high quality, powerful "Matson 12v Jump Starter" for myself as I have a 3.0 ltr Turbo Diesel and they need a bit more than normal.

P.S. I wouldnt bother trying to buy one from Alliexpress. Tried with three different sellers to buy a Suaoki U28 or U18 which are the bee's knee's but ended up having to get a refund because they couldn't ship it to NZ. Also tried Ebay, same thing, was able to purchase but ended up getting a refund because they couldn't ship (from the UK)

Powerall is a very good brand, couldn't go wrong buying one of them. Try the cheapie I linked to though...

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#2283845 26-Jul-2019 08:55

rp1790:

I bought one of the below for my daughter. Yes they are cheap but it works and as long as you keep it charged up every 3-6 months you'll be fine. She has a small Honda fit and it's started it three times.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/batteries-chargers/listing-2242617428.htm?rsqid=ee494c2c35134ee9a0148224cd71d033-001

I bought a high quality, powerful "Matson 12v Jump Starter" for myself as I have a 3.0 ltr Turbo Diesel and they need a bit more than normal.

That one says petrol engines up to 5l, diesel up to 2l, which is a huge difference - there's usually a marked difference, but not that big! Mine's a 2.2l diesel, which means, even at that relatively small capacity, it'll be outside that specification; I've been looking to get one of these, so I may be best to stick with to a Powerall perhaps?

And what's the situation with Leafs? Do they start at all if the standard car battery is flat, and if not does anyone know if these work? (Or do you need to charge the battery rather than 'jump start' it?)

sudo

409 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 117

#2284174 26-Jul-2019 12:44

timmmay:

If you want cheap and can live with ugly you could just buy another car battery, get a 12V to 5V USB from ebay, and charge it with a home battery charger. Total cost maybe $100. Then get one of those cheap warehouse power banks if you want something lighter and smaller for camping.

Car batteries are also bulky. I want to keep this in the car and not take too much space. The Lithium batteries tick a lot of the boxes (but have to address the safety concerns)

After reading some reviews videos (e.g this one MJ Lorton) I definitely don't want a cheap one. But with a decent capacity that can be used to power lights/charge devices for a night or two, and be available as a jump starter (if needed)

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 373

#2284187 26-Jul-2019 13:17

I have the Powerall Supreme 16,000mAh jobby and it seems to do the job, i drive a V6 petrol and with a completely dead (not holding stuff all charge) car battery it could jump it but literally drained the jump pack

Keep in mind if you use it as a USB supply overnight then need to jump the car in the morning you could run into problems

1 | 2