Portable Jump Starters - Any good?

Mr Tidy

Mr Tidy

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 North West Surrey
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My Z4 had a new battery in December 2016, but when I used it on Monday it wasn't too keen to start. :o

I hadn't used it for a week, but it has sat longer than that before!

Anyway I wondered about a solar charger, but the time of year it's going to need charging there isn't usually much sun. :( And as I've no garage I can't use a mains charger. :x

This is the sort of thing I'm thinking of:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/12000mAh-Portable-External-Automotive-Flashlight/dp/B06XRWH8HN/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2A1QX0

So I'd welcome any feedback anyone may be able to give from using these sort of devices. :thumbsup:
 
I've got one, can't remember the make, (out in the wife's car). But works everytime, and holds charge for months.
Also good to run small devices from.
:thumbsup:
 
Looking at the thickness of the leads I think it would help a Low Battery but not a flat battery as its ability to start any car is limited to the amount of current the cable can carry.
 
I've got a similar one. Only had to use it once (due to my fault) but it started the car fine from a flat battery.
 
I've been given this one to review on vine, hard to fully test it as don't have a car with a flat battery but hopefully one day will come in use.

Imazing Portable Car Jump Starter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H263BF7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TvAsCbCQTGSGM
 
I've got a lead acid based one from good old Maplin (RIP) I used if for starting my boat after it had been lying up over the winter months. I've used it a couple of times for the Z4 and once for my Freelander 2 when I left the lights on by mistake.

Works fine, charge it once a year or so and it holds charge fine in my garage till I drag it out again. Mine also has a built in air compressor for tyres and a work light for dark evenings and a USB port to charge your iPhone!

Something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Car-Phone-Chargers/Suaoki-Starter-Intelligent-Compressor-Cigarette-U29-Air-Pump/B078SQQMFB/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1548345256&sr=8-21&keywords=jump+packs
 
My dads got the all singing and dancing halfords jumper starter with compressor and 240v inverter, its big though and weighs a ton. The portal units are the size of a small book.
 
un1eash said:
I've been given this one to review on vine, hard to fully test it as don't have a car with a flat battery but hopefully one day will come in use.

Imazing Portable Car Jump Starter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H263BF7/ ... sCbCQTGSGM
Click to expand...

I wish I had known - I could have tested it for you a couple of weeks ago when the battery in my E91 died! :(

Oh well, it looks like it'll be worthwhile getting one - the Z4 battery shouldn't ever be flat, just a bit discharged. I prefer not to use it when the roads have been salted, and anyway I put winters on the E91 for those conditions!

Thanks for the feedback everyone. :thumbsup:
 
Not completely relevant but, I have always regarded jump starting the worst option as it puts a lot of strain on things, (and gives Christmas lights too) so I prefer a booster situation, I have a 20amp battery charger with home made extension leads that will pick up a battery in 15/30 mins enough to start the car. And my blue zed now sits on an auto battery conditioner with extended leads. I also keep topped up a spare battery for more urgent needs with some serious jump leads for a faster transfusion of power.
 
I would try and stop the battery from going flat in the first place. Once it's gone flat a few times you'll probably have to get a new one.
 
I know a charger would be better, but like I said at the beginning that isn't an option!

To get power to it from my house the lead would have to go half-way along my front garden and across 2 neighbours' allocated spaces. Seeing as everyone from neighbours to postmen to take-away menu deliverers walk across my garden as a short-cut to the next house in the road, it'd only be a matter of time before one of the cheeky f*ckers tripped over it! :headbang:

So it looks like solar charger and power pack for a belt and braces approach. :lol:

And just use it more anyway!
 
If there are spells where the car isn't being used much then I would have thought it would be much better using a battery conditioner such as CTEK regularly than leaving the car to sit with the battery discharging and then trying to kick it back into life with a jump starter, I imagine it will kill the battery much sooner doing it that way.

My Z3s battery lasted 13years using a CTEK charger when the car wasn't used much.

Tim.
 
I am a big fan of solar power, as its very effective in a trickle charging way, I even have it on my roof!.
As folk will be aware it's not as good in the winter time, but it still works, if it's light, there is a trickle and that's all we need.
 
road warrior said:
I am a big fan of solar power, as its very effective in a trickle charging way, I even have it on my roof!.
As folk will be aware it's not as good in the winter time, but it still works, if it's light, there is a trickle and that's all we need.
Click to expand...

I get about 1Kw in the winter when it's bright - The house uses 350w ticking over.
 
ronk said:
road warrior said:
I am a big fan of solar power, as its very effective in a trickle charging way, I even have it on my roof!.
As folk will be aware it's not as good in the winter time, but it still works, if it's light, there is a trickle and that's all we need.
Click to expand...

I get about 1Kw in the winter when it's bright - The house uses 350w ticking over.
Click to expand...

Well, no laughing, as was also stuck in a similar situation & bought a £14.99 solar charger from ALDI back in July... with some reviews saying it was brilliant, others it killed the battery in a day I though WTF.

Test 1, 4 weeks in sunny August, ((I always prime the fuel pump twice), started strongly first time... happy days

Test 2, End Sept (SORN) - beginning of Jan... expecting the worst, double FP prime, couple of strong turns & up she started... gobsmacked

Personally, I believe the charge / overnight discharge the solar panel provides mimicks daily use, which is far better for the battery, so +1 for my cheapo solar charger...
 
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