Jump starter pack or second battery

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 15:38

ThreadID: 109593 Views:3025 Replies:5 FollowUps:8

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Member - Ian M21

I have a Pajero and offroad van and am wondering what the members thoughts might be on the two options ?

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Reply By: Member - John - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 16:31

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 16:31

G'day, what do you plan to use it for? Makes a huge difference in the choice.........

John and Jan

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Follow Up By: Member - Ian M21 - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 16:40

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 16:40

The battery in the Pajero only runs the vehicle and three way fridge in van when moving.
No extra fridge in vehicle.
Have 300w of solar on van.
Just in case I flatten the Pajero,s battery!

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 18:18

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 18:18

Ian,

If only for the security of being able to restart your Pajero, then I'd go with a jump starter pack.

Often the vehicle may not be parked in a suitable position to get a start from a second vehicle (if there's any about :-)), and a 2nd battery under the bonnet is a lot of weight, and expense, for something you may never use.

Can't give any recommendations, but Les' SCA example might be the go.

Bob

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 18:21

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 18:21

Check the ad above for Durst jump starters..........err, bring your cheque book, not cheap.

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Reply By: Member - John - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 16:45

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 16:45

If only for emergency use, I would get a Jump Starter pack, much easier and cheaper to buy and set up. Just make sure it has enough oomph to start the Paj......... good luck.

John and Jan

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Follow Up By: Member - Ian M21 - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 17:02

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 17:02

That's what I was thinking, but it's nice to get a second opinion.
Thanks

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Reply By: Les PK Ranger - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 17:03

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 17:03

If looking at the SCA ones, then ensure you get the 1900 amp type, it has the power to cope ok.

I use that and a smaller 900 amp one to run a special light and glue guns for work, the 900 is good for 1/2 a day, the 1900 all day and more.

The small one won't turn the Ranger over fast enough the start it if flat, the 1900 could start it a couple of times I reckon.
They say charge them after a jump start is done.

The 1900 will run my fridge for a day and a half if I need.

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Follow Up By: Les PK Ranger - Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 17:05

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 at 17:05

Oh yeah, wait for sale if you can, I picked up the 1900 amp for $125 in June.

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Follow Up By: Member - Phil 'n Jill (WA) - Thursday, Sep 25, 2014 at 09:53

Thursday, Sep 25, 2014 at 09:53

Hi Ian - I'm with Les with his choice of Supercheap 1900amp - I have carried one for years in my Pajero - bailed me out a few times. I originally had the 900 amp unit but when it couldn't start the son's Patrol I upgraded to the 1900amp. Being portable allows more flexibility.

The inbuilt 2nd battery under bonnet is a comforting but costly backup & sounds like your set up can be managed without that outlay. Be aware, I once left the van frig ON when I hooked up for a trip one night and really drained the vehicle battery & had to get the RAC out that time. I now have a solenoid to avoid that - Ignition off = no draw by van when hooked up.

One tip I got from the RAC chaps was that when hooking up to a flat battery from another vehicle or a powerpack - leave it a few minutes to let a bit of power transfer to the starter unit.

Cheers - Phil

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Follow Up By: Les PK Ranger - Thursday, Sep 25, 2014 at 10:04

Thursday, Sep 25, 2014 at 10:04

Be warned, they take ages to charge the SCA jump packs from the 12v plug or the 240v adapter supplied.
I usually take the things out at home and use the Calibre 12V 6Amp Power Pack Battery Charger to charge these . . . takes half an hour to an hour charge that way.

If just using it for a rare jump start and charge up via 12v, you should be ok leaving plugged in to top off while driving, might take into a 2nd day to top off after a major jump start.

I wouldn't run a fridge of it though, as it would take much longer than a days driving to top it off again from an overnight use . . . if wanting to do that, I would go for an Arkpak and a 100 amp hr battery, using the Ark 12 volt charger, tops mine off after an overnight use in about 4 or 5 hours ready for next night.
Or, Anderson plug charge through isolator, but then you are getting close to the 2nd battery setup cost anyway.

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Reply By: Wayne's 60 - Wednesday, Sep 24, 2014 at 00:47

Wednesday, Sep 24, 2014 at 00:47

Hi Ian,

Buy a second Paj battery and have it bolted down in the camper. Charge it off your solar panels. If the main start battery does not start the vehicle.
Move the fully charged battery from the camper to the starting battery position in the vehicle. Put the flat battery back into the camper, charging from the solar panels.
A jump starter pack still needs to be fully charged to be of any use in the vehicle starting area.

Just our 2 cents' worth.

Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.

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Follow Up By: Wayne's 60 - Wednesday, Sep 24, 2014 at 00:52

Wednesday, Sep 24, 2014 at 00:52

OOOOOPS.............

Missed the "off road camper" bit ....sort've.

What batteries are in the camper?
Are they fully charged off solar??

Have vehicle AND camper batteries the same and then rotate them to suit your needs. No need for a jump start and probably cheaper TOO.

Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.

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Reply By: Member - Paul B (WA) - Thursday, Sep 25, 2014 at 16:41

Thursday, Sep 25, 2014 at 16:41

I have both, but if I were doing it again, I wouldn't go to the vast expense of a dual battery system in the car, as there is also one in the camper. Next time around I'd just take the jump starter. I bought a 1200 amp from Repco for $100-odd and it starts my diesel Pajero just fine.

It also tends to get used to run lights away from the camp for eating or food prep etc for maybe an hour or so a night, so satisfies the double use test.

Main reason I get flat batteries is because someone leaves a door open in the Pajero and those nice handy (not) little lights that shine down from the bottom of the door all come on without you seeing them and flatten the battery unbelievably quickly. Not so bad at night, when you can see the pool of light, but during the day it's an absolute killer. Not sure how we survived without these for the previous 100 years or who the Rhodes Scholar was that decided they were a good idea. After the 3rd time, they were all removed!

Paul