Quick - need a cheap jump starter....for my Alfa!

[da_murphster]

Having fun with cars today and my 156 stranded my girlfriend. Worryingly the batt died after about 10 mins of the car being off (hazards and radio on only)

Driving to York from London this weekend and would be happier if I had a Jump starter but thought I should get one manly enough for the Tuscan as well.

Seen this one....

http://www.fasteronline.co.uk/Ring%20Automotive-ri...

In my local Costco for £50 - says ist 20amp (with 80 amp jump starting ability) and suitable for up to 12litres cars - I searched and saw that we need 600amps to jump easily - is this the same measurement as they are leagues apart!

Any other cheap recommendations I can pick up today?

[royceybaby]

Is that not a battery charger on the link you sent? Not a jump start pack?


I got one of these for my old Land Rover 2 1/4 litre petrol

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

It has no problems starting it from a dead battery.


Royce

[tubbystu]

For a jump start pack you need at least a cranking rate of 800amps for a TVR, a little less for smaller engines, do not be fooled by the £50 wonders out there.

I got one of these cheap on fleabay after I borrowed one from the Mitsi dealer down the road one morning

[Macey]

If you struggle to get one before you leave then give me a shout and you can borrow mine.

Steve

[nawarne]

Bottom line with these "jumpstart" powerpack thingys is that they do fry the plates on a battery.
I guess if the battery is on its last legs anyway, you're not too worried.

Best solution of all is to buy a new battery for the Alfa, and get an optimate for the Tusc.

All IMHO off course!
Nick

[JonathanT]

OOI why do the jumpstart packs fry the plates on the (presumably flat) battery? Does conventional jump starting from a donor car not do the same thing?

I'd always assumed that the booster packs were simply a high current battery in a box with a pair of jumpleads?

[nawarne]

[quote=JonathanT]OOI why do the jumpstart packs fry the plates on the (presumably flat) battery? Does conventional jump starting from a donor car not do the same thing?

I'd always assumed that the booster packs were simply a high current battery in a box with a pair of jumpleads?[
/quote]

Because, (as far as I'm aware,) you're whacking in loads of amps to a dead battery.;. the heat of this inrush current tends to buckle the plates.

Ordinary jump starting is, I believe, a bit more gentle. Always happy to be corrected though.
Nick

[da_murphster]

Well made york and back no probs but the alfa has just dumped its coolant on the M4.

Will get batt replaced when it gets fixed.

Alfa causes me far more probs than tuscan

Can't really afford to blow £90 on a jump starter - will just carry leads!