jump leads

[Guest]

Assuming of course there is another boat close by ,is it worth carring a set of jump leads incase ones own batteries are flat ? Or indeed to help someone else in a similar situation .

 

[BarryH]

Errr, depends, have you got a petrol powered boat, if so dont do it anywhere near me......sparky sparky big bang!!

 

[ccscott49]

They would have to be very long, that means they would have to be very thick to counteract the volt drop, which means very heavy, it would be better to carry a spare battery! just for somebody else or an emergency, we aren't going to do that are we?

 

[boomer]

Makro are currently doing those portable power pack thingies for 20 squids plus vat. You know 'never be stuck again, recharge from your lighter socket'
If you're really worried this would seem to be a better bet, and no more expensive than decent jump leads, and would have other uses of course.

 

[hlb]

Well, I carry one jump lead. But not for the same reason. I can jump from domestic battery to starting battery should there be a problem. only need one cos neutral sides are joined.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[ccscott49]

I've got a special button that does that, automatic like, nah nah nah!

 

[castaway]

I want one of these... Ive heard that Makro do them ..but dont you have to have a card or something.......... They ve come down in price hugely recently it appears, last time I looked they were 100 quids plus Regds Nick.

 

[ccscott49]

I've seen these powerbox thingies for a lot less, just need to remember where, machine mart perhaps?

 

[Forbsie]

You're right, Colin. Machine Mart do the Jump Start 900 for £49.93 inc vat.

 

[andyball]

These "jump start" things are just (small) batteries in a fancy case, why not buy a smaller (spare) battery if you're that worried about sudden battery failure. Also the cheap ones (inevitably) use v.cheap batteries which don't last long, although you can pull 'em apart and stick a sealed m/cycle battery in there.

If you're totally flat, trying to jump start via the fag-lighter plug that most of these things are equipped with is not wise at all.....compare the cable size with your actual battery cables.

 

[castaway]

Working in the assumption that you dont get something for nothing I was wondering how these things actually work... Am I just wasting my money having one onboard to help start my Perkins 4108 if the kids leave the lights on all night...is it really just a bike battery with a charger built in?? Cant see that doing much... regds Nick

 

[ccscott49]

Funny, I thought the fag lighter buit was for charging them and they had bigger leads for the actual starting bit. I wouldn't bother, theres no way one would start my donks! A recoil/spring starter is on the shopping list for me, especially the new composite construction ones, to stow away in a locker, well worth the money, if you are stupid enough to flatten all your batteries!

 

[Forbsie]

I'm sure that with the progress of gsm technology, my boat will soon text me on my mobile to let me know that the batteries are low.

...hang on, have I just given away a multi-million pound idea?

 

[castaway]

I was thinking about these recoil/wind up starters also. They did a little review in PBO or ST last month. Sounded good if you can mount it AS WELL as yr regular starter. Now about copper plating....Regds Nick

 

[ccscott49]

Don't want to mount it, then I would have to buy two! Takes me about 15 minutes to pull one starter off the starboardf engine, thats all I need, 1 engine, then I can charge batteries and start tuther!
Mind you, I would have to have a fairly major disaster on my hands, I have three battery banks (with solenoid interswitching), three alternators, two smart chargers, 4kw generator with separate battery, running two mains chargers! Still wierder things have happened at sea!!

 

[andyball]

some have jump leads, but yes some have only the cig.lighter plug .....and agreed,it's funny.