battery packs

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 20:44
ThreadID: 10302 Views:1749 Replies:7 FollowUps:1
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A mate wants to buy a battery pack as a back up for his boat. Super Cheap have $60 ones yet you can pay $300 plus. For the few occasions he may require it is it worth spending the extra and if so why?

Thanks. (I know that its boats not 4wd but the principal is the same).
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Reply By: Member - Ross - Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 20:56

Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 20:56
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
AnswerID: 45599

Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 21:57

Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 21:57
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.
AnswerID: 45616

Reply By: Gajm - Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 00:45

Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 00:45
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
AnswerID: 45644

Reply By: tessa_51 - Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 07:07

Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 07:07
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
AnswerID: 45645

Reply By: Rojac - Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 07:50

Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 07:50
If its a backup for a boat, what your life worth $60. No good if youre stranded with your cheapass backup.
AnswerID: 45648

Follow Up By: Leroy - Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 10:16

Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 10:16
I agree wit Rojac. I find you need a really good main batt in your boat to begin with also. Unless you have lots of accessories being powered while stationary for long periods you prob dont need a backup otherwise I'd buy a second battery but you have to make sure you keep it topped up and dont let it run flat in the garage. I tend to swap the boat and car batt on a monthly basis to keep it charged.

Leroy
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FollowupID: 307724

Reply By: pathfinder - Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 12:11

Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 12:11
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!
AnswerID: 45685

Reply By: eric - Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:52

Sunday, Feb 08, 2004 at 16:52
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!!!
AnswerID: 45885

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