Battery Jump Starter Packs

[BrianWC]

Anyone have a brand/model they've had good experience with? I used to own a Prestone-labeled one when they first got popular a bit over ten years ago. I can't remember much about it, though, other than it wasn't spectacular. I've been much more observant of car maintenance since then so I've been in situations where I've had a dead battery and no way to jump it off maybe 2 times in the last 7-8 years?

But I had a sticky situation this morning where my wife left interior lights switched on in her Odyssey overnight, draining the battery. To make matters worse, we have a 2 car garage and 3 vehicles, so last car in parks in the driveway. She was last in so she had the other cars blocked. Thankfully, I was able to do the Austin Powers golf cart trick and maneuver my tiny little Honda Fit in a roughly 40 point turn so that I could jump the van off.

Long story short, I'm going to buy a battery pack for each vehicle. So I have the 3.5l V-6 in the Odyssey, the 2.4l 4 cyl in the CR-V, and the 1.5l 4 cyl in the Fit. I don't want to pay $100 for each charger and I don't need a combo air compressor. I'm leaning toward some of the cheaper Schumacher models, but when I read the online manuals, it looks like they recommend charging the pack once a month for optimal power. Any thoughts?

 

[eljefino]

One for each vehicle? Sounds like overkill. The batteries eventually expire of old age.

How about a garage charger with "starter boost"? For $300 you could get one of these and if you ever have trouble at home get out of it.

Jumper cables will help you in the field.

Booster packs are just wussy batteries in a fancy case; you can buy a replacement battery for, say, the Fit ahead of time and use it and cables with less waste.

 

[Steve S]

what happens when the jumper thingie dies when you need it most?

 

[BrianWC]

Well, the reason I want to go with battery packs at least for the CR-V and Odyssey is that those are the cars my wife and nanny drive. I'm fine looking for a jump. But I work an hour away from home and am away on work-related travel at least 6-7 weeks a year. I would love to have something no brainer that they could use without having to rely on strangers or wait for help.

 

[BrianWC]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
what happens when the jumper thingie dies when you need it most?


That's my point. I want to get something reliable that can maintain a charge for a while. We do have roadside assistance and jumper cables.

 

[BrianWC]

Ok, wqell I went ahead and ordered them from WalMart.com. I got 3 Schumacher units b/c they could be shipped for $.97 each. I got units w/ 750 peak amps rated for 12 amp/hrs. We shall see if that will work on the van...

 

[brianl703]

I pull one of the deep-cycle marine batteries off my UPS when I need a battery for jump-starting.

 

[JimPghPA]

If you want reliability, replace the batteries with the largest (highest number) cold cranking amp that will fit on a regular basis depending on where you live. For Louisiana heat that interval would be every 2 years.

The best battery for hot climates would be interstate.

Also for reliability take the vehicle to a good shop that specializes in rebuilding starters and alternators on the premises. Have the starter and alternator rebuilt when the vehicle reaches 60 K miles and then every 50K miles there after.

Also have the cooling system flushed and new prestone LOW-TOX antifreeze put in every 3 years. Prestone LOW-TOX keeps the cooling system cleaner than most other coolants.

Replace the belt(s) and tensioner every 25 K miles. Replace thermostat, and all of the coolant hoses including small hose by thermostat every 6 years. Put new hose clamps on with new hoses, and 4 to 6 months later after the new hoses have given some to allow the new clamps to seat in, tighten all the clamps about 1/4 to 3/4 turn as required. If you do not do this additional tightening a hose will probably blow off sometime within 18 months of initial instillation.

 

[wrcsixeight]

It is important to charge the unit you ordered monthly. They have a 12 a/h AGM battery within. AGM's do not self discharge as fast as flooded batteries, but if you want the battery to last, recharge it promptly after using it as a jumper, and do plug it in to top it off at least monthly.

The 12 a/h batteries in these are replaceable. They cost about 22 dollars. Google this UB 12120.

I had the schumacher. I have removed the battery. The battery no longer has the capacity opr cranking amps to jump a vehicle, but it runs my 9.6 volt drill nicely. It is 11 years old,

 

[ahoier]

I personally wouldn't throw down the money on one of these battery pack jump starters.....just get her some jumper cables, and teach her how to use them.

It's likely if her vehicle DOES ever die, someone would stop and be able to help her (jump start her) with her jumper cables available.

And well....[censored], you say you have Roadside Assistance....? You're likely paying 10$/month for that.....so let her use it if she needs it.



BTW, lol, last time I had to call my insurance for a jump I was kinda [censored], a dude pulls up in a Mustang, pulls a battery pack jump starter out of his car, jumps me, then leaves. No fun really, no jumper cables, just a little portable battery pack lol.


He told me he got 30$ for that service call.....heh. Easy enough job eh?

And as others mentioned, I'm all for "preventative" maintenace. Get your battery, starter, and alternator tested every 1-2 years (or if you notice it being sluggish....abnormal, etc.).



If you really want to go with a battery pack, I've always heard good stuff about Schaeffer's that walmart sells.....obviously they wouldn't sell them if they didn't work, they had high return rates of them, etc....

 

[BrianWC]

Schaffer's or Schumacher? I did go w/ Schumacher based on past experience w/ their normal chargers.

Nah, like I said, I've had one before and it did it's job for the longest. For the situation I was in this morning, it would have been perfect. Plus, it gave me an excuse to buy another toy.

 

[meep]

the vehicles may have electronics to shut off loads after 10-20 minutes.. like dome lights, etc. if the key is out. if so, really all you need to do is replace the batteries as the age, before they quit.

I've seen more dead jump packs than live ones.

Mike

 

[BrianWC]

Well, this happened in a year old Odyssey. They key was out and the light was still on about 8 hrs later. As for the jumper pack, eh, it's a battery. I know they go bad. I was just wondering if there was some universally recognized best brand to buy that I didn't know about.

 

[morris]

Schumacher? he races top fuel.

 

[BrianWC]

Hooah!

 

[mechtech2]

Those are great for someone else to have when you need them!
[Like a boat or an airplane.]