Jump start booster packs

[lewdog998]

After seeing the thread about the samsung battery issue I was wondering if there is any real danger in storing the typical lithium jump packs in your vehicle? I was contemplating getting one as i dont run dual batteries. Does anyone have any experience or heard of any risks with these?

 

[Bluesky 07]

I'm a big fan of these devices. I had this one for 4+ years. No issues and jumped my truck and other peoples' vehicles multiple times. Recently my alternator died and I had to jump my truck almost 10 times, all on one charge, and it worked perfectly. So I wasn't terribly disappointed when I pulled the booster out a couple of weeks later and found it had given its life in the line of duty. Battery had swelled so much it forced the case apart.

Just bought a new one and like it so far though there's been no occasion to test it.

 

[whitetrooper]

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I am curious as to how much these battery packs cost

 

[whitetrooper]

I think I found them at very reasonable price on Ebay. Thanks anyway

 

[TNRockyraccoon]

Very handy to have when you, or someone else needs it. Amazingly small and compact to boot.

 

[5thToy]

No batteries...

Amazon.com: Autowit SuperCap 2 Portable Car Jump Starter, 12V Super Capacitor Jump Starter (Up to 7.0L Gas, 4.0L Diesel Engine), Super Safe Battery-Less Jump Charger with Carrying Case and Quick Charge, Orange : Automotive

 

[gookies]

No batteries...

Amazon.com: Autowit SuperCap 2 Portable Car Jump Starter, 12V Super Capacitor Jump Starter (Up to 7.0L Gas, 4.0L Diesel Engine), Super Safe Battery-Less Jump Charger with Carrying Case and Quick Charge, Orange : Automotive

Didn't even know they had these, nice info to have. One downside of the lithium jump starters is that you're not supposed to leave it in the car due to extreme temps the car could reach which causes the battery inside to swell up. I have had a couple and they do work very well.

 

[5thToy]

Didn't even know they had these, nice info to have. One downside of the lithium jump starters is that you're not supposed to leave it in the car due to extreme temps the car could reach which causes the battery inside to swell up. I have had a couple and they do work very well.

They weigh next to nothing. The cap jump starters charge the caps via your "dead" battery. Batteries are rarely fully discharged, they just can't produce enough cold cranking amps. Capacitors are great at instant release. it just takes a minute or two usually to load up the caps and switch to jump start mode. If your battery is truly dead, the jump caps can be charged via another car either battery direct or through a lighter socket.

 

[4runnin4mylife]

GB40 Noco Boost Plus is what I have had for years. It’s been all over the backwoods of the US and bailed me out a few times. I just top it off every other month or right before a long trip and mine is still going strong after years of use. Never has any issues with them not being safe… and that’s in all kinds of temps. It will be the best $120 (with case) you ever spent for peace of mind.

 

[lewdog998]

They weigh next to nothing. The cap jump starters charge the caps via your "dead" battery. Batteries are rarely fully discharged, they just can't produce enough cold cranking amps. Capacitors are great at instant release. it just takes a minute or two usually to load up the caps and switch to jump start mode. If your battery is truly dead, the jump caps can be charged via another car either battery direct or through a lighter socket.

Very interesting....do you own one, and have u used it. If yes, how did u charge it?

 

[5thToy]

Very interesting....do you own one, and have u used it. If yes, how did u charge it?

Yes and yes. The post you quoted describes the cap charging process.

The “dead” battery charges the bank of capacitors. I know it sounds counter intuitive but that’s how they work. There is usually juice in a battery that is depleted to a level that can’t produce enough cold cranking amps to turn the starter motor. You hook the capacitor bank jumper up to your “dead” battery for a few minutes until it tells you the caps are charged.

Batteries are not able to deliver all their energy at once. Capacitors, by design, do just that. They dump their entire stored load instantly to get the motor turned over.

Here’s a video that goes in to more depth on how they work.

Best car battery jump starter ever: Use capacitor storage instead | Auto Expert John Cadogan - YouTube

 

[Feriner]

That cap booster sounds like a neat idea - must investigate.

I got a few boosters from Costco that weren't too expensive and have already had a few "saves." It's really convenient using these vs. carrying jumper cables which take up more space and sometimes require creative parking for the jump.

 

[5thToy]

That cap booster sounds like a neat idea - must investigate.

I got a few boosters from Costco that weren't too expensive and have already had a few "saves." It's really convenient using these vs. carrying jumper cables which take up more space and sometimes require creative parking for the jump.

Other thing with jumper cables is there is a much higher chance of frying computers on one or both cars with modern vehicles.