Jump Pack 240v Charger Advice

Pssst SMB ......"You can also use a universal 1amp 12v power pack available from any electronics store. (They come with different plugs to suit different arrangements)."

This is not advisable for battery charging. These "Universal power packs" are generally simple transformer/rectifier units with no current or voltage regulation. Their current rating is the maximum current that you should draw from the unit but a discharged battery may draw more than this rating and so damage the power pack.

If the power pack is a voltage regulated type, then a 12v power pack will not produce sufficient (approx 14v) to adequately charge a 12v battery.

In short, only use a proper battery charger, preferably a multi-stage charger.

Incidentally Jack, whilst you could use your 500mA charger, it is pretty miserable and you would do better to use 1A at least.

Pssst Allan....."Thankyou for your enlightening wisdom on power packs vs battery chargers, well aware of this. In Jacks case the particular Jumper Pack details were not available, I am in my nineth year or keeping my Jumper Pack alive.!"

If you were well aware of the shortcomings of using universal power packs for battery charging why did you suggest same as a valid alternative?

What has the un-availability of Jack's details have to do with my warning of using power packs for battery charging? What advice would you offer Jack if you had his details?

Allan, I would recommend to Jack a like for like replacement of his charger, there are various versions with either din plugs or alligator clips etc etc, without knowing what Jumper Pack he has. I have in emergencies used a universal power pack when I have been 200kms offshore in a boat, and it worked fine. yes whilst it may not be the ideal replacement it worked nevertheless and as I say and have had 9 years out of my jumper pack so far by ensuring the battery component had always had some charge. I have also used a seperate small lead acid battery charger and connected it via the alligator clips.

Now can we move on please Allan, for crying out loud.

Yes SMB, of course we can move on. Jack seems pretty intelligent and will have got the right message.

Yes I to have used a universal power pack when I have had to. The cheaper no name Jumper Packs use cheap and nasty chargers. Everyone I know that has had one has had their charger pack fail, Chinese cheapies. There are some suitable chargers at 1000ma 12v with alligator clips on Ebay for not much, I have listed one below, plse ensure if you are buying from the USA that the product is not 110v only. As someone else suggested going to Jaycar or Dick Smith would be an intelligent option for buying something suitable.