Member - andrew B (Kununurra) replied:

Gday Rod

In your case I'd be inclined to get a battery box with external wing nuttted terminals if you can (and you can fit it in the engine bay) and use a normal start battery. I think you will find a lot of the battery packs you get cannot handle the high charging amps that an alternator puts out. Either that or just get a car battery that will fit in all vehicles and fit wing nut terminals on it may be better/cheaper/more reliable.

The manufacturers of the jump start packs will be able to tell you more, but I'd be cautious with alligator clamps under the bonnet - best to go with terminals that won't work loose of short out.

Cheers andrew

Member - Rob G (SA) replied:

G'day Rod,
We manufacture power packs called, Thumper, Outback and Urban. We are totally Aussie and have been making these units in S.A for 9 years. They can be charged through the vehicle with the supplied charging kit at a rate of up to 35 amps depending on what your alternator can put out. They have anything from 600 cold cranking amps up to 1500 cca's. You can check out my website if you like www.homeof12volt.com.au . Most power packs can only be charged at 2 amps per hour so that is why they recommend not charging them through your vehicle. My units now come with a 2 year warranty as well. Jumperleads, In Car Charging Kit with ignition activated isolator are all included as well.

Cheers mate and hope this helps.

Rob

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

Hi Rod,

I would recommend a 'FLYER' Universal Power Pack.

I would fit the supplied charge cable to the car you use the most and that will keep the pack fully charged. The 'FLYER' can take up to a 100 amp hour battery but I would fit what is most common in your 4 vehicles. This would allow you to fit the battery to one of the cars if needed.

FLYER



Regards

Derek.