Battery bank that can jump a car?

Pöbel · 2019-02-11T10:47:27.000Z

It is possible to jump start a car with no battery connected other than a smallish (like 2000mah) 4S lipo. Sure, the lipo won’t like it but it works. Yes, the cables are “thin” but they are also very short.

Deputy_Dog · 2019-02-11T13:00:07.000Z

I work part time at a car auction that moves 7000 used cars (in one sale day) a week. This is the one we use: Clore Booster PAC ES5000 https://www.jumpstarterreviews.org/booster-pac-es5000-jump-starter-review
It will work all day (10 to 15 cars) without a recharge.

jerm03 · 2019-02-11T18:01:25.000Z

Hi Deputy Dog,
I have no doubt that that jump starter willl work, but the size and weight take it out of the range of some women and elderly. The small ones work fine and can be easily carried and handled.
Jerry

Deputy_Dog · 2019-02-12T00:43:54.000Z

jerm03:

Hi Deputy Dog,
I have no doubt that that jump starter willl work, but the size and weight take it out of the range of some women and elderly. The small ones work fine and can be easily carried and handled.
Jerry

How old is elderly? You can’t carry it in a purse, but… I’m 61. Many of the guys and gals using them are 10 to 20 years older than I am. It only weighs 18 pounds.

Edited to add: If you’re not able to lift 18 pounds, how are you going to get the hood up?

jerm03 · 2019-02-12T01:09:13.000Z

There are elderly who can lift much more, but also those who have trouble walking. The small ones can easily be kept in your auto without taking up much room. Let folks take their choice.
I am 86 and had a staph infection in my lumbar spine in 2008, and some days I have trouble walking without a walker. In addition I am now having hip problems. While I can handle the 18 pounds I find it simpler to use a lighter one. I don’t think it takes 18 pounds to lift the hood of my Toyota Sienna, but never had a reason to find out.

I was hunting in the mountains and carrying deer out on a packboard at your age, but it only takes a heartbeat for big changes to occur.

I change my car batteries about every 4 years. I don’t consider it very wise to try to get the last 6 months out of a battery since today you have no warning like the old days. I do the same in the case of tires, especially since I can no longer change a tire.
Regards, Jerry

Deputy_Dog · 2019-02-12T12:10:18.000Z

jerm03:

There are elderly who can lift much more, but also those who have trouble walking. The small ones can easily be kept in your auto without taking up much room. Let folks take their choice.
I am 86 and had a staph infection in my lumbar spine in 2008, and some days I have trouble walking without a walker. In addition I am now having hip problems. While I can handle the 18 pounds I find it simpler to use a lighter one. I don’t think it takes 18 pounds to lift the hood of my Toyota Sienna, but never had a reason to find out.

I was hunting in the mountains and carrying deer out on a packboard at your age, but it only takes a heartbeat for big changes to occur.

I change my car batteries about every 4 years. I don’t consider it very wise to try to get the last 6 months out of a battery since today you have no warning like the old days. I do the same in the case of tires, especially since I can no longer change a tire.
Regards, Jerry

I got your point the first time. Maybe I should have included, it would be better (for safety reasons) for the disabled (like my wife who needs a walker) to call AAA, instead of trying to jump a car in the first place and save the cost of the jump box.

jerm03 · 2019-02-12T15:09:05.000Z

To each his own, but the jump starter does well for those who have it. Better than waiting sometimes. If the cost is more than one wants to pay AAA is the way to go. When I travelled I always had a jump starter with me, although I never needed it. There were no small ones in those days. Today If I travelledt I would carry the Bolt.
Regards, Jerry

jigsaw · 2019-02-12T16:09:52.000Z

Deputy Dog:

I work part time at a car auction that moves 7000 used cars (in one sale day) a week. This is the one we use: Clore Booster PAC ES5000 Clore Booster PAC ES5000 Jump Starter Review | Jump Starter Reviews
It will work all day (10 to 15 cars) without a recharge.

I have used that exact booster to start cars and forklifts that had NO battery of their own. Just clamp onto the cables and it works fine, plenty of power. My local NAPA store carries that model.

Deputy_Dog · 2019-02-12T18:01:55.000Z

jigsaw:

Deputy Dog:

I work part time at a car auction that moves 7000 used cars (in one sale day) a week. This is the one we use: Clore Booster PAC ES5000 Clore Booster PAC ES5000 Jump Starter Review | Jump Starter Reviews
It will work all day (10 to 15 cars) without a recharge.

I have used that exact booster to start cars and forklifts that had NO battery of their own. Just clamp onto the cables and it works fine, plenty of power. My local NAPA store carries that model.

I’ve jumped completely dead batteries that were so bad that we had to keep the box hooked up so the car would run long enough to get through the auction, because the battery wouldn’t hold enough charge to even keep the car running after it was started.

They are a bit pricey, but they seem to work much better than the cheaper models. They seem to hold a charge for a long time as well.

Hobbyfotograaf · 2019-02-12T20:34:36.000Z

[quote=Deputy Dog]

[quote=jigsaw]

Deputy Dog:

I’ve jumped completely dead batteries that were so bad that we had to keep the box hooked up so the car would run long enough to get through the auction, because the battery wouldn’t hold enough charge to even keep the car running after it was started.

That is no problem with a lead-acid battery powered jump starter because that battery can be charged with the alternator in the car without danger of overcharging.
That way it is no problem to use it all day long, just leave it connected for a few minutes when the engine is running, and you will get enough power for the next jump start.
Do not try this with a lithium-ion jump starter, it could be very dangerous (you will hear a warning sound if it is connected when the engine is on).

texas_shooter · 2019-02-13T02:43:51.000Z

As some one who comes across stranded motorist on a semi common experience, a few pre broken down pointers. Up grade to the largest battery the self will hold. Many cars/trucks have under sized batteries and all those electrical gadgets are killing them. Next up grade that bigger battery to an AGM, shorted dead cells are nearly impossible to create. They’ll deep cycle hundreds of times. These batteries have huge reserves but need to be sure it’s got the needed cold cranking amps. These batteries have a 5-8 year life and are in many emergency vehicles. In the auto stores there often the Gold or Platinum series. At Bass Pro or Cabela’s in the boating section.

JoeRodge · 2019-02-13T03:33:21.000Z

Blows my mind I haven’t seen anyone mention the Noco Genius jumpers. They make lithium units that can jump 6 liter diesel to, construction equipment, etc. I own the GB40 and it easily jumped a 3.0L diesel with a battery that was at 3.3v

Deputy_Dog · 2019-02-13T21:16:27.000Z

Hobbyfotograaf:

Do not try this with a lithium-ion jump starter, it could be very dangerous (you will hear a warning sound if it is connected when the engine is on).

One of a few dangers when jumpstarting a car. They actually require us to take a class at work.

electromage · 2019-03-25T17:02:10.000Z

JoeRodge:

Blows my mind I haven’t seen anyone mention the Noco Genius jumpers. They make lithium units that can jump 6 liter diesel to, construction equipment, etc. I own the GB40 and it easily jumped a 3.0L diesel with a battery that was at 3.3v

I have a GB40 as well and have used it to start several different cars, Nissan Quest, Toyota Camry V6, BMW 535i. With the little wires and the wimpy guts (based on AvE’s teardown) it seems like it wouldn’t work but it does.

On the Camry I had previously tried a Costco jump pack (generic name) and it make the lights come on but wouldn’t turn over quick enough to start.

Lightbringer · 2019-03-25T17:24:26.000Z

That’s why I tend to carry a spraycan of ether, juuuust in case.

jon_slider · 2020-04-09T18:04:06.000Z

electromage:

I have a GB40 as well

thanks, cost is $99

Hobbyfotograaf:

Deputy Dog:

I’ve jumped completely dead batteries that were so bad that we had to keep the box hooked up so the car would run long enough…

That is no problem with a lead-acid battery
…
Do not try this with a lithium-ion jump starter,

My subaru 3 liter gas car had a dead battery and would not start.

AAA jump started it, and I drove for 30 minutes. The car now starts and runs fine.

cause of dead battery:
The car had been sitting for a week, after only going to the grocery, less than 1 mile away, a couple of times before.

The car has a 3 year old interstate battery.

I want to have a jump starter at home:
My car jump starter battery, top of picture, is dead and will not take a charge

A replacement 12v 10Ah SLA battery for the jumper pack, costs $24
Should I buy the replacement battery?
or
Should I buy one of the new, small LiIon jumper packs instead, and if so, Which one?

Oli · 2020-04-10T03:17:52.000Z

https://www.amazon.com/TOPVISION-2200A-Peak-Car-Power/dp/B07H58NP77 After a lot of research including YouTube videos I got this a few weeks ago. 2 USB A outlets. Claims C in and out but I don’t have a cable to prove “out”. It does not come with the wall charger but a lot of them don’t. It does come with the A to C cable. Other than charging it at 2 amps I haven’t done any other testing. A lot of the ones on eBay are making unrealistic capacity claims.

jon_slider · 2020-04-10T04:24:32.000Z

thanks!
you saved me a lot of reading
its hard work being an informed consumer… lol

so now I need to choose, spend $89 on a small cute powerbank, or $24 to reload my heavy little AGM Jumper pack… hmmmm… which one takes up less space… hmmm, the $65 dollar question…

ValuseekeR · 2020-04-10T11:19:45.000Z

Interesting thread.

Been driving ~25yrs and have always kept jumper cables in my vehicles. Can’t count the number of times I’ve used them to give and receive jumps over the years. In the times I got caught and needed one I can’t remember a time that it took more than a minute or two to flag someone down who was willing to help. Highly recommended, virtually no maintenance required.

That said, I wonder if one of these portable battery packs would be good for my wife to carry in her car.

Oli · 2020-04-10T12:36:32.000Z

Search YouTube for “project farm jump starter” look at the specs of the top two he tests. There are probably others that are fairly new to the market that would do as good but start with those minimum specs. Ease and speed (type C) of recharging from a vehicle or the house and being able to use it as a power bank are convenient features.