Jump Start Kits
Discussion
I've used plenty over the years, there are 2 types, the large flat case type, about 20" tall 18" wide and usually grey/yellow in colour, made of a blown plastic material. Made in China and rebranded for various companies they all look very similar. Absolutely crap, they do work but very quickly die and won't start big diesels even when full.
The better ones are marketed by Sealey and Snapon etc. Usually very small, good quality alligator clips, lightweight box, would spin over a tank if needed.
But be aware all of them suffer from the same problem, unless using regularly and charging up daily they all have a nasty habit of dieing inside a year or so.
Instead I have a very thick good quality set of Jump leads (circa £70) that are around 3M long, long enough to go from the boot of a car round the the battery tray in the engine bay if needed, and I use a good quality Battery (I really like Bosch Silver batteries). Try to get the biggest one you can that will also match one of your cars then you always have a spare.
It's more expensive but the leads last you for life, the battery will easily do 5 years if looked after, you have a spare car battery and much more flexibility, as for a compressor I'd just buy a separate one.
The other beauty of the above layout is it works in the workshop (if you mount it on a sack trolley it's even better) but can be slung in a car boot for a weekend away racing/mechanicing or even camping doing everything from jumping cars off to running inspection lamps all weekend and a big battery usually easily lasts the weekend, but if not it can be swapped with the one on the car and the alternator used to quickly charge it back up, plus the jump leads can be connected to any battery. It's a very rough and ready solution to the problem but it gives so much more flexibility I could never go back to a jump box.
The better ones are marketed by Sealey and Snapon etc. Usually very small, good quality alligator clips, lightweight box, would spin over a tank if needed.
But be aware all of them suffer from the same problem, unless using regularly and charging up daily they all have a nasty habit of dieing inside a year or so.
Instead I have a very thick good quality set of Jump leads (circa £70) that are around 3M long, long enough to go from the boot of a car round the the battery tray in the engine bay if needed, and I use a good quality Battery (I really like Bosch Silver batteries). Try to get the biggest one you can that will also match one of your cars then you always have a spare.
It's more expensive but the leads last you for life, the battery will easily do 5 years if looked after, you have a spare car battery and much more flexibility, as for a compressor I'd just buy a separate one.
The other beauty of the above layout is it works in the workshop (if you mount it on a sack trolley it's even better) but can be slung in a car boot for a weekend away racing/mechanicing or even camping doing everything from jumping cars off to running inspection lamps all weekend and a big battery usually easily lasts the weekend, but if not it can be swapped with the one on the car and the alternator used to quickly charge it back up, plus the jump leads can be connected to any battery. It's a very rough and ready solution to the problem but it gives so much more flexibility I could never go back to a jump box.
audi321 said:
Cheers, I ended up buying one of these so hopefully wih it being Sealey (albeit a low end model) it should last a while. You can also charge it from the cig lighter (which my car has one in the boot which is switchable) so I intend to keep it plugged in permanently.
Thanks again
Be careful with charging and leaving in a 12v socket, I found when charging mine and leaving it plugged in the unit was draining while powering parts of the car. You need to ensure the socket disconnects from the rest of the car when ignition is off, maybe through a relay or something.Thanks again
audi321 said:
Yes it's switchable 12v
Switchable as in on when acc position on? If its on the same circuit as other accessories it will power them. It needs to totally isolate itself from other circuits. Just switching off when the key is out makes no difference. Unless its a special charge lead? Mines a straight through cable.wildoliver said:
I've used plenty over the years, there are 2 types, the large flat case type, about 20" tall 18" wide and usually grey/yellow in colour, made of a blown plastic material. Made in China and rebranded for various companies they all look very similar. Absolutely crap, they do work but very quickly die and won't start big diesels even when full.
The better ones are marketed by Sealey and Snapon etc. Usually very small, good quality alligator clips, lightweight box, would spin over a tank if needed.
But be aware all of them suffer from the same problem, unless using regularly and charging up daily they all have a nasty habit of dieing inside a year or so.
Instead I have a very thick good quality set of Jump leads (circa £70) that are around 3M long, long enough to go from the boot of a car round the the battery tray in the engine bay if needed, and I use a good quality Battery (I really like Bosch Silver batteries). Try to get the biggest one you can that will also match one of your cars then you always have a spare.
It's more expensive but the leads last you for life, the battery will easily do 5 years if looked after, you have a spare car battery and much more flexibility, as for a compressor I'd just buy a separate one.
The other beauty of the above layout is it works in the workshop (if you mount it on a sack trolley it's even better) but can be slung in a car boot for a weekend away racing/mechanicing or even camping doing everything from jumping cars off to running inspection lamps all weekend and a big battery usually easily lasts the weekend, but if not it can be swapped with the one on the car and the alternator used to quickly charge it back up, plus the jump leads can be connected to any battery. It's a very rough and ready solution to the problem but it gives so much more flexibility I could never go back to a jump box.
+1The better ones are marketed by Sealey and Snapon etc. Usually very small, good quality alligator clips, lightweight box, would spin over a tank if needed.
But be aware all of them suffer from the same problem, unless using regularly and charging up daily they all have a nasty habit of dieing inside a year or so.
Instead I have a very thick good quality set of Jump leads (circa £70) that are around 3M long, long enough to go from the boot of a car round the the battery tray in the engine bay if needed, and I use a good quality Battery (I really like Bosch Silver batteries). Try to get the biggest one you can that will also match one of your cars then you always have a spare.
It's more expensive but the leads last you for life, the battery will easily do 5 years if looked after, you have a spare car battery and much more flexibility, as for a compressor I'd just buy a separate one.
The other beauty of the above layout is it works in the workshop (if you mount it on a sack trolley it's even better) but can be slung in a car boot for a weekend away racing/mechanicing or even camping doing everything from jumping cars off to running inspection lamps all weekend and a big battery usually easily lasts the weekend, but if not it can be swapped with the one on the car and the alternator used to quickly charge it back up, plus the jump leads can be connected to any battery. It's a very rough and ready solution to the problem but it gives so much more flexibility I could never go back to a jump box.
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