jump start <span class="highlight">power</span> <span class="highlight">packs</span>

Submitted: Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:15

ThreadID: 15595 Views:4137 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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juptan

hey guys, i am a new user to the site (love the site, by the way!!). i am planning a trip away up to Alice and the rock and am starting to set my vehicle up for the trip. we are wanting to find out some information about the jumpstart power packs that are currently on the market. has anyone got one? what differences should we look out for? is higher continous amps better than lower eg, 1200amp as opposed to 800amps. what about replaceable fuses?

if someone out there has nay info or experiences with these packs could you let me know please.

many thanks,

Justin.

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Reply By: GO_OFFROAD - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:30

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:30

You can get a decent battery to fit the cheap chinese units for about $90 from battery world, so you can rely on it to work when you want it, but I have the bushranger 4000 and find it great, with the flouro light you can add, sit it on the table, in the tent etc, no cords in the way, and if you plug it into your acc plug to charge during the day while driving, it is a bit like an aux battery, as it will stop charging when you turn the key off, but is portable, lasts for about 5 nights running the flouro, jump starts my diesel prado if the 2 car batteries are flat [happened on the weekend] and I can use it in any car, compared to hard wiring an additional battery.

AnswerID: 72774

Follow Up By: juptan - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:36

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:36

Hey Go offroad, thanks for the info about the bushranger. is that available in qld and can you remember how much you paid for yours?

thank you,
Justin.

FollowupID: 332879

Follow Up By: GO_OFFROAD - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:46

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:46

Bushranger is owned by ARB,, so should be available from any ARB dealer.

The 4000 was around the $500 mark when I got mine.

if you to to the web page, then go to the products, you can type in your postcode for a dealer in your area.

bushranger home page

FollowupID: 332880

Reply By: Flash - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 12:37

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 12:37

Yeh, agree.
Many of them are useless for actually starting your car unless you are just assisting a battery which is still just about able to start your car on it's own.

Don't even dream of starting a decent size petrol (or any diesel) with these jump starter packs on their own. It just won't happen with about 99% of them. I have jump started many people who had relied on battery packs, only to be severly disappointed.
Think of it like this. How heavy is your original battery? If the new one (jump starter pack) feels too light by comparison...... it probably is!
Cheers

AnswerID: 72783

Follow Up By: dp - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 19:40

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 19:40

Not entirely true I have cheapest nasty Dick Smith $50 version and use it for jump starting my old diesel tractor. Battery in the tractor wont even crank it over. Just let em sit for a few minutes then off she goes.
Never would have thought it would work but been using it for a few months and still working.......I suppose one day I will buy a new battery for the tractor but for the moment $50 well spent? Also use it for running a spray unit I used to connect to a quad bike battery untill the 12v socket died.

FollowupID: 332960

Reply By: Dean - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 13:06

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 13:06

Juptan,

Ive got one of the cheapies from bigw, about $50. I didnt buy it for the jump starter so I dont know if it works or not.

It is good for running 2 12v appliances, eg fluros, and can be charged while driving. It is movable so you dont have to have your keys in the ignition. For what I use it for it is a bit big, might try and get a smaller alternative when it snuffs it.

Dean

AnswerID: 72792

Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 15:14

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 15:14

In all seriousness (is that a word??) go to supercheap, buy those $19 rechargable fluro latterns. They go for 8 hours, come with everything and are portable. Charge it off the ciggarett lighter during the day. I have a coleman one that cost me $99 and a supercheap one and they work as good as each other.
If you are staying for a few days in the one spot, put a cigarett lighter in the back of your car hooked straight to your battery (so you don't need keys), you won't flaten your battery charging it, it draws bugger all current.

Total cost:
$19 for the lattern

If you want a cigerette lighter plug, $5 from Dick Smith, and use some wire you have lying around to hook it up.

AnswerID: 72815

Follow Up By: Alfred - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 23:42

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 23:42

To Jeff M (WA)
On a different note, Where did you get your Aux Battery voltage display?

FollowupID: 332993

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 11:32

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 11:32

I got it from autospeed.com.au.

here is the link to where you can buy it:
Good Digital Volt Meter with Inside and Outside Temp and Clock

If you post your email, I will send you a picture of it installed in my surf all up and running.

FollowupID: 333044