Cig lighter jump leads - any good/safe?
Discussion
It's made by Anex and called "Charge-n-start". The instructions tell u to disconnect the cig lighter plugs before starting the engine on the car with the flat. It also gives details of how long to leave the donor car running for, depending on how flat it is (eg 5 mins for engine turns slowly, up to 20 mins for headlights do not turn on).
In fact, this is it: www.amazon.com/Anex-Charge-N-Start-Titanium-Finish-TS-252T/dp/B0006USQP0/sr=1-2/qid=1167777881/ref=sr_1_2/103-0742323-7595015?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
In fact, this is it: www.amazon.com/Anex-Charge-N-Start-Titanium-Finish-TS-252T/dp/B0006USQP0/sr=1-2/qid=1167777881/ref=sr_1_2/103-0742323-7595015?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
It's a trickle charger. I VERY much doubt that you could put enough charge into a dead battery to turn-over a TVR engine in only a few minutes.
I use a similar device to maintain a constant charge on my car, which is left for weeks at a stretch and has always started first time, with strong battery power.
I use a similar device to maintain a constant charge on my car, which is left for weeks at a stretch and has always started first time, with strong battery power.
If the fuse didn't blow, the resistance within the tiny wiring would be huge and you would risk melting the wiring or at worst causing an electrical fire..
Look a the size of the cable on jump leads, and compare that with the wires on the back of a cigarette lighter...
The ciggy socket is fine for trickle charging (and i mean Trickle!) but, as said previously, 300amps for cranking the starter is serious power. Keep that sorta power well away from the cigarette lighter.
Look a the size of the cable on jump leads, and compare that with the wires on the back of a cigarette lighter...
The ciggy socket is fine for trickle charging (and i mean Trickle!) but, as said previously, 300amps for cranking the starter is serious power. Keep that sorta power well away from the cigarette lighter.
The system is safe to use as the lighter sockets on both cars will be fused with an appropriate fuse for the size of cable. The fuses and cables will typically be good for about 20 Amps.
However the facts to consider are;
This is not a jump starter, it is a fast charge system, it relies on charging your battery using the other cars alternator.
It will take time to put enough charge into the cars battery, 20 mins at least.
You must disconnect it before starting the car.
To speed up the charging of the low battery, fast idle (about 3000rpm) the engine of the running car.
If the battery is very flat the initial charging current may exceed the fuse rating of the cigar lighter socket and blow the fuse on one of the cars. To reduce this possibility ensure the car with the flat battery has its lights, ignition etc switched off, also do not rev the engine of the charging car for the first few minutes of charging ie let the charging cars engine idle then after a few minutes raise the rpm to about 2500-3000rpm for the next twenty minutes.
In short, its not as much use as proper jump leads but if you are stuck on dark cold night it would be better than nothing.
PS I did much the same thing many years ago using two steel bands (found lying nearby) with three people holding each band (one in each hand) when my mate left his sidelights on in Blackpool.
PPS. Even when using good jump leads its much better to fast idle the engine of the good car for a minute which gives a bit of charge into the duff battery first.
PPPS. Yes I know an alternator will charge a battery at idle, however trebbling its speed (2500 to 3000rpm) will give a slightly higher voltage and far more current capability and will provide a much faster charge.
However the facts to consider are;
This is not a jump starter, it is a fast charge system, it relies on charging your battery using the other cars alternator.
It will take time to put enough charge into the cars battery, 20 mins at least.
You must disconnect it before starting the car.
To speed up the charging of the low battery, fast idle (about 3000rpm) the engine of the running car.
If the battery is very flat the initial charging current may exceed the fuse rating of the cigar lighter socket and blow the fuse on one of the cars. To reduce this possibility ensure the car with the flat battery has its lights, ignition etc switched off, also do not rev the engine of the charging car for the first few minutes of charging ie let the charging cars engine idle then after a few minutes raise the rpm to about 2500-3000rpm for the next twenty minutes.
In short, its not as much use as proper jump leads but if you are stuck on dark cold night it would be better than nothing.
PS I did much the same thing many years ago using two steel bands (found lying nearby) with three people holding each band (one in each hand) when my mate left his sidelights on in Blackpool.
PPS. Even when using good jump leads its much better to fast idle the engine of the good car for a minute which gives a bit of charge into the duff battery first.
PPPS. Yes I know an alternator will charge a battery at idle, however trebbling its speed (2500 to 3000rpm) will give a slightly higher voltage and far more current capability and will provide a much faster charge.
Edited by richard sails on Wednesday 3rd January 14:30
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