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Post by premiumV on Nov 29, 2006 12:57:14 GMT -6
I have wanted one of these for a while and I'm ready to buy. Does anyone out there have any experience with these things and what to look for when shopping for one. I like the models that have an air compressor but it's not a necessity. I also wouldn't mind paying the bux for a professional grade unit but I would expect it to work reliably and hopefully replace jumper cables with it.
Thanks!
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Post by macadamiaman on Nov 29, 2006 13:06:14 GMT -6
It's something I've been meaning to have in the car for quite awhile... never found a cheap enough one, though.
The only ones I have experience with are the ones that they carry on the AAA trucks and try to use instead of jumping from their own truck. This is why I haven't bought one -- not because I can call AAA, but because (with the Aurora, not any other car), it never works!! They always need to jump with the truck. Maybe the battery is too big, or too dead, I don't know. It's happened maybe 3 times that they had to jump from the truck.
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Post by RapMastaC1 on Nov 29, 2006 13:21:53 GMT -6
A friend of mine from work has one of those. It has a ton of freakin batteries in it. He left his lights on so it wouldn't start. So he got that out of the trunk and hooked it up to the battery, and waited a min then started the car just fine. I want to get one, found one at a local store for about 60 bucks. It is a lot of money, but if ur in the middle of nowhere or it's freazin cold, that might not seem like so much money, considering it's reusable.
But it might be a good idea to just leave the batteires that go int he charger in their original packaging and then put them in when you need them, so you know for sure you are going to be able to get a fresh start up. And have back up batteries too.... Don't mind me but battery issues have always been problems with cars that my family has had in the past. So I am a little over "knotted" about not starting.
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NYsteve
Aurora Driver
Go Red Foxes!!
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Post by NYsteve on Nov 29, 2006 14:05:18 GMT -6
Why not just buy a pair of jumper cables and keep them in your car? They're a lot cheaper and work better. How often are you in a location where there isn't a car to get a jump from for miles?
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Post by premiumV on Nov 29, 2006 14:16:10 GMT -6
Why not just buy a pair of jumper cables and keep them in your car? They're a lot cheaper and work better. How often are you in a location where there isn't a car to get a jump from for miles? Good point...and I do have jumper cables. I guess it's a gadget/power tool guy thing  It would be nice not to be reliant on someone else though. |
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Post by Letitroll98 on Nov 29, 2006 17:04:19 GMT -6
Yeah but asking, "Can I get a jump please?" is just about as bad as asking for directions, no real men do it. Real men carry the right tools and always know where they are. I actually got one for about $40 at some discount store and it worked fine the two times I used it to start my old Pickup (GM V8) and my GF's Ford (6 cyl Jap motor). It's the one at the bottom of this page: www.vectormfg.com/jump-starters.php |
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Post by premiumV on Nov 29, 2006 17:42:17 GMT -6
Thanks Letitroll.....decent lookin unit. I like the idea of a cover also. |
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Post by premiumV on Nov 29, 2006 17:46:23 GMT -6
because (with the Aurora, not any other car), it never works!! They always need to jump with the truck. Maybe the battery is too big, or too dead, I don't know. It's happened maybe 3 times that they had to jump from the truck. I could use it in my Jeepers if it doesn't have enough punch for the Rora...thanks! |
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Post by edge350 on Dec 2, 2006 15:35:06 GMT -6
Just make sure you get enough cranking amps in the unit you buy and you won't have a problem. There is nothing like not having to convince someone that giving you a jump won't blow up their car or make their battery go bad too.
If you like added features, my dad got one that has an dc to a/c "inverter" and two electrical outlets to run small appliances off it. Unlike your average inverter, it doesn't have to be plugged into the vehicle to run things either. That comes in handy camping, tailgating, or during a power outage you can bring it in to power what you like.
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Post by RapMastaC1 on Dec 2, 2006 17:13:06 GMT -6
The reason I wouldn't be able to depend on jumper cables. I'm in my car in the early mornin' and the late night. Working til' 11 most nights and the parking lot is usually empty, sure there's a street nearby but I don't want to have to walk in all the cold to find someone who is willing to get cold to help me out. This is a convience thing, you don't have to ask anybody, and it doesn't take as long (and as much space, lets say you die in the middle of the road, like my other car did, then you need to jump it and gun it to get out of everyone's way.
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Post by edge350 on Dec 4, 2006 21:03:13 GMT -6
I can hear that Rap. There is nothing worse than being one of the last ones out of work, and ending up with a car problem after you just locked up. If you are looking for a decent price on one with good cold cranking amps, let me suggest: www.harborfreight.com model 40615-3VGA by Chicago Electric. It is on sale for $59.99 right now, but watch for their deeper sales and coupons they email. The 650amps is plenty. I just used it when my Rora had sat for about 3 weeks then we had a cold front come in. (I plugged in my pocket voltmeter and it read 4.9 volts at the radio circuit.) I grabbed hooked up this jumpstarter, hit the remote start and it fired right up. I figure from the frost everywhere that it was below freezing, and since the car had sat so long, I won't have any worries this winter when it gets colder and the car only sits overnight or during the day when I'm at work. |
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Post by algonquin on Dec 4, 2006 21:50:11 GMT -6
If you are looking for a decent price on one with good cold cranking amps, let me suggest: www.harborfreight.com model 40615-3VGA by Chicago Electric. It is on sale for $59.99 right now, but watch for their deeper sales and coupons they email. The 650amps is plenty. I just used it when my Rora had sat for about 3 weeks then we had a cold front come in. (I plugged in my pocket voltmeter and it read 4.9 volts at the radio circuit.) I grabbed hooked up this jumpstarter, hit the remote start and it fired right up. I figure from the frost everywhere that it was below freezing, and since the car had sat so long, I won't have any worries this winter when it gets colder and the car only sits overnight or during the day when I'm at work. I have litterally bought thousands of dollars of tools and supplies from them with no problems. Also there is no shipping charge on orders over $50 |
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Post by CollegeAurora on Dec 14, 2006 15:29:19 GMT -6
It's something I've been meaning to have in the car for quite awhile... never found a cheap enough one, thoug h. The only ones I have experience with are the ones that they carry on the AAA trucks and try to use instead of jumping from their own truck. This is why I haven't bought one -- not because I can call AAA, but because (with the Aurora, not any other car), it never works!! They always need to jump with the truck. Maybe the battery is too big, or too dead, I don't know. It's happened maybe 3 times that they had to jump from the truck. Thats funny you say that because my car very RARELY starts with a jump pack. I have needed it jumped prob 6 or 7 times from random things and I have always needed another vehicle to start...Jump packs suck. |
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Post by thebronxaurora06 on Dec 16, 2006 5:08:45 GMT -6
I am a FIRM believe of the Jump pack, and have owned one before I had my Classic. In fact still have that one.
Cost of a pack is an average of $40 - Sears, WalMart (YES!), Pep Boys, AutoZone, and Radio Shack to name a few will carry them. Sears Wally World and the Shack will have the best prices on them but if you want extra toys on it (air pump, inverter, AM/FM/Weather radio, lights) it will drive the price up to almost $100. Vector & e-zone seem to be the more popular models out there.
Just like any other rechargable battery, they need to be condition and charged out of the box. So dont play with it until you get a chance to charge them up first, which can take 24 to 36 hrs. But once fully charged they will hold it up to 4 months or more in normal weather conditions. Extreme conditions may add/subtract the reliability factor.
And they are SO easy to use its not even funny. Just remember, if your battery is low (some power for the DIC, but no crank) it'll be eaiers than a flat battery total. If battery totaly gone, and really foul weath, I would pull the backseat, and hook to a ground and hot terminal there, and let sit for at least 5-10 mintues before trying to crank (no radio or headlights) if weather is bearable, then do underhood as normal. Once you've started, disconnect and as soon as your able, plug the pack into the wall to recharge.
On my pack (smaller Vector from Sears $40) I've been able to Jump at least 3 cars before having to recharge, 2 4bangers and a V6. I can probably do two dead Classics before having to do a recharge also but since its a straight charger no toys on it, no problem. Hopefully I wont find out anytime soon...lol
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Post by premiumV on Dec 16, 2006 5:43:06 GMT -6
Nice write-up Bronx. I might be getting one this Christmas (fingers crossed)  I'm sure the inexpensive ones work just fine but I'm a quality freak and love owning/using something that is built well so the one I put on my list is kinda expensive. It does have air and I wouldn't buy one without it. I do carry those auto air compressors in my cars and they have always worked fine but this way I can have it all in one package. Autosport 660I www.international-auto.com/index.cfm/fa/p/pid/3104/sc/8140 |
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Post by austinator on Dec 16, 2006 16:49:55 GMT -6
Man for that money the thing should jack up your car and change your tires for you too. I personally have the $60 dollar one from Harbor Freight. Unfortunately for this thread, but fortunately for me, I've never had to use it on the Aurora. As you said though, it looks like the Autosport is high quality. Hope you get it...
Austin
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Post by parts68 on Dec 26, 2006 18:32:24 GMT -6
I just bought one a harbor freight for $25
no compressor but its 600Amp.
I bought this for a friend for Xmas because Ive used mine constantly
for the last year Ive had it.
We even have a 120V inverter that plugs in and I can power a small TV
with it.
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Post by premiumV on Dec 26, 2006 18:39:55 GMT -6
Kewl....One showed up under the tree yesterday |
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scottydl
Super Moderator 
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Dec 26, 2006 22:19:27 GMT -6
Sweet... what brand, power rating, & features does it have?
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Post by premiumV on Dec 27, 2006 7:15:18 GMT -6
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Post by macadamiaman on Dec 27, 2006 9:11:49 GMT -6
I noticed on some high end British cars I was looking at, there are two batteries - one as a backup. I would much rather have this. But I lack ambition and skill to undertake such a mod  |
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Post by edge350 on Dec 27, 2006 23:32:09 GMT -6
J C Whitney has a few easy to install kits for a second battery. I got one from them back in the day for my Delta 88...came in handy for tailgaiting and hanging out when I was a young pup. No skill and little ambition required. If there was a bit more space in the Aurora's trunk after my sons stroller was stuffed in there, I would throw a 2nd battery in the trunk, but, for now I'll stick with my jumper.
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I'm sure the inexpensive ones work just fine but I'm a quality freak and love owning/using something that is built well so the one I put on my list is kinda expensive. It does have air and I wouldn't buy one without it. I do carry those auto air compressors in my cars and they have always worked fine but this way I can have it all in one package.
