Emergency start packs ?

[Refueler]

I recently replaced the 12 A/hr SLA in my old Halfords emergency pack ... those large portable with 12v ciggy socket ... two starter battery leads and a lamp .... works still well ... apart from not liking a 2.5ltr diesel to turn over ...

Lots of adverts for the smaller LiFe starter packs and I've seen the yard use one on a boat near me this last season ... but I also know that there are some out there with vastly false claims of output.

Who uses one and which one ?

 

[Bodach na mara]

I have one of these which I was given as a gift.

 

[crewman]

Frikend` used` one tgo start a 100HP poutboard when starter battery went flat.Started no problem. Think it came from Halfords.

 

[Bodach na mara]

I don't know what happened with that attachment. Anyway they are sold by
www.mobilesolarchargers.co.uk
This is their Overland model costing £89.95 and not actually solar charging.

Short story about how I got it. We were anchored in a remote anchorage and woke up to find all batteries totally flat. There were only 2 other boats there. There was no sign of life on the nearest one (not surprising after the wild party the previous night) so I rowed over to the other and asked if he could help, possibly by lending me a battery. He replied that he could lend me his emergency starting battery and handed me this small case. He explained that I shouldn't be misled by the small size as it was powerful and he was right. After getting my engine running I returned it with thanks and a bottle from the booze locker. One of my crew gave me a present of one for the next Christmas. That would have been about 2019 and at that time they cost about £50.

 

[Refueler]

Like I say - I've seen one start various boats - not one after the other !!! ,,, but also know of some that wouldn't start a moped !

The LiFe battery of course has high current capability ... the question is 'run-time' before its flat and not turning the engine over.

 

[Refueler]

Its funny actually .... the main use I have for my Halfords starter pack is to provide remote 12v for chargers on phones and nav gear ...

Once you suffer domestic battery failure and your nav gear does dark .... its a lifesaver !

 

[DinghyMan]

Bought one a few years back - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B015TKUPIC?th=1 "NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Jump Starter, Jump Starter Power Pack, 12V Battery Booster, Portable Powerbank Charger, and Jump Leads for up to 4.0-Liter Petrol and 3.0-Liter Diesel Engines"
Was surprised that its actually very good, keeps charge for ages when not used and worked every time I've tried it (so far, probably kiss of death now I've said that)

 

[DoubleEnder]

How do you actually use these? Just put the crocodile clips on the starter battery terminals?

 

[doug748]

Project Farm on YouTube liked these:

GOOLOO GP4000 Jump Starter 4000A Peak Car Starter SuperSafe 12V Lithium Jump Box | eBay

Showed they could operate on a totally dud battery as well.

.

 

[Aquanaught]

I use a NOCO Boost from Amazon - never needed for own boat but has started several boats/cars with flat batteries. Small, compact and holds charge all season. https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB40-UltraSafe-Lithium-Starter/dp/B015TKUPIC?th=1

 

[Farmer Piles]

I bought a Durite lithium starter pack and it is excellent. I have started cars and old tractors with it - the latter 4-5 litre diesels. It will do multiple starts on one charge and it's about the size of an old VHS cassette. Actually, probably smaller. Only bought Durite as I have a trade account with our local branch of BBL Batteries and they sell them, I'm sure that any decent make will do the job. It cost me about £130.

 

[DinghyMan]

How do you actually use these? Just put the crocodile clips on the starter battery terminals?

Yes, use them just like jump leads and a separate battery or another car - for their size they are a good bit of kit

 

[Neeves]

Commonly now they also have the ability to inflate a tyre, or inflatable dinghy, emergency lights etc etc. The power used to start a car, not a massive truck, depletes the capacity by about 20%. There are many brands, most you have never heard of, all from China. I have not seen complaints of these nefarious brands and if anyone quotes a brand - it may not be available where you are. But the technology is widespread.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

I note that a few above are no longer available.

I am wary of some - when you read the advert ... great ... then check the actual numbers and do the maths ... they often cheat on the numbers or make them sound massive capacity by quoting mA/hr .....

I'm just thinking about them after the end of season sail I had in the tail end of storm conditions and my domestic bank was dieing .... my Halfords SLA pack is 12 A/hr ... which with SLA at best is really 6 - 7 A/hr if that. So a smaller Li pack with 24 A/hr would be better ...

 

[colind3782]

I have three, one in each car and one on the boat, about the size of a large phone. They have all been used successfully in anger to start the various engines and they stay charged for several months. However, I'm sure I read somewhere that there has to be at least a bit of charge left in the battery as the starter takes that into a capacitor. Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.

 

[Gixer]

Yup me too, started numerous cars including 2.5L Diesel. Be prepared for calls from your mates at stupid o’clock asking to borrow it.

 

[Refueler]

Yup me too, started numerous cars including 2.5L Diesel. Be prepared for calls from your mates at stupid o’clock asking to borrow it.

I have a pal who often calls me to tow / start his cars !!!

 

[jwilson]

When my diesel auto Volvo's starter battery went overnight from fully charged after a 200+ mile run to 3 volts, it took TWO of the the Green Flag repairman's starter packs to get it going. He said batteries now do sometimes suddenly instantly die. In well over 50 years of running various vehicles I've only ever experienced "slow dying" from batteries, normally you get plenty of sluggish starting advance warning to change a batttery.

 

[Refueler]

Been looking at various ..... many like Osram are using LiCoO2 and not LiFe ...... some are using plain LiIon which I personally would avoid....

Interesting.

 

[Refueler]

Looks like a moderate one for on boat ...

Booster 12V 600A OSRAM | IC24.LV

and for cars ...

BOOSTER Palaišanas ierīce OSRAM OSR OBSL400 | IC24.LV

My mate works in the shop ....