Lecky question

[zoidberg]

I've noticed a thread in the parallel 'Scuttlebut' forum which has highly relevant points re exploding handheld radios:

DANGER ! Lithium ion batteries in hand held radios

 

[Tranona]

I'd suggest following Refueller's experience and avoid these temperamental and fussy lithium jumpstarters. They do not like being left alone either fully charged or discharged, and they need careful re-charging and storage.

One sector of battery users who have good experience of high power batteries capable of taking lots of environmental punishment is the military and motorsport. They tend to use use very carefully crafted AGM batteries such as Odyssey

ODYSSEY® Battery - Official Manufacturer's Site

Their FAQs and Support people are excellent.

That is a good approach - I have used them or similar in 3 applications. The Red Flash in my Morgan lasted 19 years from new and I have just fitted an odyssey in my current boat. However if space is not a constraint suggest the latest stop/start automotive batteries, either EFB or AGM are a better bet at around half the price. a 65Ah EFB such as fitted to my CMax is around £100.

 

[penberth3]

I've noticed a thread in the parallel 'Scuttlebut' forum which has highly relevant points re exploding handheld radios:

DANGER ! Lithium ion batteries in hand held radios

I do worry about the safety of these "jump-starters". A lot of stored energy in something cheap and nasty bought off the internet.

 

[mullet]

I use a “Noco” branded one, mostly to my inflate my dinghy using a 12v Rule pump. Much easier than carrying a 12v FLA battery to do the same. I’ve used it to jump cars which had had their lights left on a couple of times and it did the trick. My view is that it might be useful on the boat if there’s ever a blunder with the 1-2-both switch, though that’s not the primary reason to have it.

Noco position themselves as a premium product; I don’t know if this is justified though they generally get good write ups. They are expensive but I got mine at about 35% off in an Amazon promotion - so they’ll probably be significantly reduced during the sale they’ll run later this month.

 

[nevis768]

I have one because we have 2 automatic cars, and you can't bump start them. I also have jump leads, but if nobody else is about, you can't use them. I also used them at work many times, great piece of kit. Most recovery firms carry them.

 

[Bouba]

A long time ago I had one of those jumper batteries but with the old lead acid battery....I used that in Africa to power portable fans and start cars and boats...lasted years of really tough service...anyhow it must have been the day I bought it because I had it in my rucksack as I was walking around London...when I came upon two young women who obviously had a flat battery....the hood was up and they where talking to someone feverishly on the phone...so I said, can I help...you should have heard the language from them as they proceeded to tell me to eff off...nice neighborhood as well...

 

[penberth3]

I have one because we have 2 automatic cars, and you can't bump start them. I also have jump leads, but if nobody else is about, you can't use them. I also used them at work many times, great piece of kit. Most recovery firms carry them.

I was going to ask a dumb question - why can't you use jump leads on your own? Then I realised what you meant, you need a second vehicle or battery, not a second person!