Compact Jump starter

[GJ1]

Hi,
I have a flat battery and have just purchased a compact jump starter battery pack (awaiting delivery).

Ideally I would connect to the under the bonnet points but the leads are tiny and won't reach but given all the advertising photos show them connected to batteries I thought I would go ahead and order and connect to battery.

However, I am now having second thoughts. Should you always use the under the bonnet points to jump start? Could it do damage by connecting to the battery?

Also, if I do connect to battery is it simply a case of connecting to pos and neg points? Seen some talk of connecting black to unpainted chassis?!

Thanks

 

[enuff_zed]

I would prefer the bonnet points personally.
How tiny are the leads? The two points aren't that far apart and you could balance (or get someone to hold) the starter above them?

 

[Zulu4]

I would trickle charge it if possible, rather than jump starting it.
If that's not possible then I would indeed try to connect the negative (black) to a chassis point, such as a bolt.

 

[GJ1]

I would prefer the bonnet points personally.
How tiny are the leads? The two points aren't that far apart and you could balance (or get someone to hold) the starter above them?

They look tiny

 

[GJ1]

I would trickle charge it if possible, rather than jump starting it.
If that's not possible then I would indeed try to connect the negative (black) to a chassis point, such as a bolt.

Thanks, although I'm not sure they'll reach. Wondering whether I should cancel my order and my a full size jump starter instead.

 

[enuff_zed]

Wondering whether I should cancel my order and my a full size jump starter instead.

Looking at that I would say yes!

 

[colb]

How old is the battery?
Do you know why its gone flat, is the alternator charging ok.
Once you get it jump started put a voltmeter on the battery terminals and see what the alternator is charging it at, you should see at least 13 volts, if its really flat expect to see 14volts. If its charging ok and it still goes flat then suspect the battery has failed cells and is in need of replacement. You could get the battery tested, most garages and Halford in the UK have the kit to do this.

 

[GJ1]

Wondering whether I should cancel my order and my a full size jump starter instead.

Looking at that I would say yes!

I do like the idea that you can keep the compact ones in the car easily though.

I've been doing some more reading and some sites suggest because it is a lithium battery should be ok to connect to battery but I really don't know whether this will cause any issues.

 

[GJ1]

How old is the battery?
Do you know why its gone flat, is the alternator charging ok.
Once you get it jump started put a voltmeter on the battery terminals and see what the alternator is charging it at, you should see at least 13 volts, if its really flat expect to see 14volts. If its charging ok and it still goes flat then suspect the battery has failed cells and is in need of replacement. You could get the battery tested, most garages and Halford in the UK have the kit to do this.

I can't remember the age of the battery but will have it recorded somewhere. I have not been using the car recently hence the flat battery. Not sure how to check alternator etc but yes you have reminded me, I think places like Halfords will do a free battery health check

 

[Validwarlord]

Hi

The wife brought me a nice piece of kit called a "Halo Bolt" does a lot more than getting your car started and sent it on its way.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HALO-Bolt-Compact-Portable-Starter-Navy/dp/B088W418HN

 

[GJ1]

I'm finding it very confusing. Some sites say never connect negative lead to negative battery terminal and some say ok to.

Has anyone used one of these and connected both leads to the battery?

 

[Rockhopper]

That's simply because you should connect the red lead first, then the black lead. Its possible you will get a spark when you connect the earth lead and that could ignite the hydrogen gas that a traditional battery gives off when its being charged. So connect the negative lead well away from the battery. Electrically though the car couldn't car less where the power comes from.

 

[Zedebee]

Jump starting ought to be a last resort. If you are having to do it often, then there is something else wrong that needs to be taken care off. You would be much better off buying a quality battery charger/conditioner like a CTek with a decent long lead.

 

[mmm-five]

Most offer short leads so they can upsell you to their 1m long leads...and the shorter cables reduce resistance.

I bought the MSC Overland+ on the recommendation of the recovery driver who had to jump-start my 320D after the BMW dealer did something during the last recall. It's happened 3 times since I bought it, and we (the dealer) finally tracked it down to the charging circuit computer needing resetting for some reason.



They do show the short cables in use on a battery, but there's no quick & easy way to get to get to that on a 320D Touring, and BMW heavily suggested not to as that is likely to damage the charging circuit (makes you think if BMW followed their own advice whilst it was in for a recall).

 

[Mr Tidy]

I used a compact one on my car and connected to the positive terminal under the bonnet. The lead wouldn't have reached the negative terminal so I just used an unpainted bolt - I think it was on one of the cross braces. Anyway it worked just fine.

 

[m453]

according to my owner's manual (and I looked under my bonnet) there is a positive terminal under the bonnet and a chassis ground (negative terminal) located reasonably close together.

I have a portable jump starter similar to what you describe and I have used it several times on various cars with no issues. I would normally attach to the positive terminal of the battery and a metal part of the car (not the negative terminal of the battery). Since the battery is in the trunk, I plan to use the ones under the bonnet. As someone stated in a previous post, this is for emergency use only and shouldn't be a standard practice. If you don't drive for a while, use a trickle charger.

I have a set of jumper cables in my truck and don't hesitate to use them if someone needs help. But if you are stranded somewhere, there is nothing better than being self-rescuing.

 

[GJ1]

I used a compact one on my car and connected to the positive terminal under the bonnet. The lead wouldn't have reached the negative terminal so I just used an unpainted bolt - I think it was on one of the cross braces. Anyway it worked just fine.

Thanks. I've pinched this photo from somewhere. I'm pretty sure the neg lead won't reach the neg terminal so could I put the neg lead on the bolt circled? I think it would probably reach there. Is this he bolt you meant?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks. I've pinched this photo from somewhere. I'm pretty sure the neg lead won't reach the neg terminal so could I put the neg lead on the bolt circled? I think it would probably reach there. Is this he bolt you meant?

Yes, that's the one.

 

[GJ1]

Ok thanks for everyone's input, will give it a go once delivered/charged.

The battery has been fine up until now but as I have not used the car for a while it has gone flat. I intend to jump start it and then get it to a family member's where I'll be able to charge the battery (not possible as I live in a flat and I didn't want to disconnect the battery for a long period as I've read that can cause electrical gremlins). Will then get a battery health check done.

Then on to the more serious issues with the car...misfiring and emissions leak (hence why it's not been driven much).

 

[Rucky]

If the car is going to be jump started from a high amperage source it has to be connected under the bonnet.

I connect the compact jump starter to the dead battery which it effectively boosts sufficient to get a start after a few minutes of effectively recharging.

Depends if you have a Battery charger with a start rating or a battery booster - it will be in the instructions.