battery packs

Far as I'm concerned they're not too far short of a rip-off.

If it's only backup you're after (your mate), what's wrong with a battery in a box.
All you're paying for is a battery in a flash box anyway.

Fidei defensor

Rosco

I'd give the $30 ones a miss,we sell them at work and usedto use them in the workshop to start bikes and lawnmowers.While new they are ok but after about a month they struggle to start a lawnmower(we tried 3 thinking they must have been faulty but all the same).
I personaly have a Waeco Urban power pack which we use for running the fridge whike away camping and also around home alot,very handy.We can run a 40l fridge from it for 3 days in 30deg heat.Had it a year and a half and still going strong.

I bought one for about $100 a year or so ago, and I kept it charged as per instructions.....but it only lasted a few months before it wouldn't hold enough of a charge to start even the wifes daihatsu. personaly i wouldnt get another, i'd rather buy another battery as suggested and keep it on one of those smart type trickle charges to keep it topped up.

Glenn

Have just thrown my SuperCheeeeeeep 800cca to the s***house after 12 months. Charged it regularly as per instructions, but it won't hold a charge!

Tessa

If its a backup for a boat, what your life worth $60. No good if youre stranded with your cheapass backup.

Supersheap ones work fine for jumpstarting petrol motors (even 351ci V8s) but forget about them for diesels...just on that point forget about a lot of jumper leads for diesels for that matter...even the ones supposedly rated at 400amps. Better to make up your own to ensure the cable thickness is more wire than plastic outer!

Don't despair about the "JUMPSTART" battery pack from Super cheap. I have had one for two years and "exercise" it regularly. Any storage battery will die if you leave it on charge indefinitely. These packs come with a light built in. On a regular basis I leave the light on overnight and then plug the charger back in. This should happen every month. This battery stills starts my petrol patrol after I have left the engel on overnight - okay - all day too but the beer was cold!!!