Battery Jump Starter

[bucks448]

I was in the process of reviewing battery options and in the meantime decided to pick up a battery jumper. My father-in-law just sent me this - Jackco ZT50400 - http://www.amazon.com/Jackco-ZT50400-Zeta-Pocket-Starter/dp/B00IO0L3BS He was amazed that started a car with a completely dead battery.

Anyone have any experience with this?

-Jared

 

[bobbie]

Costco sells a unit with the jumper cables, light, charging socket, etc for about $70. Haven't used it on my yamaha but i jumped my Blue Water last summer when the battery was dead.

 

[bucks448]

Costco sells a unit with the jumper cables, light, charging socket, etc for about $70. Haven't used it on my yamaha but i jumped my Blue Water last summer when the battery was dead.

Will it fit in your pocket?

 

[bobbie]

If i keep eating dessert after dinner, then yes...it will.

 

[Gym]

You may want to consider a multi function jump pack. Features such as 12volt & USB Charging ports led light and compressor are very handy

 

[maboat]

I always carry a jump pack and at first I was semi-ignoring this thread until I caught on that this is a new style of pocket-size jump packs

I think I like the "PowerAll" model a little better, but have no experience with either one ... yet...

Very cool. One more thing for me to buy...

 

[Bruce]

@bucks448, those little jump packs must have lithium batteries in them.

Lithium batteries work great in phones, computers and even in some electric cars that occasionally catch fire.

I am uncertain how long the very small lithium battery would hold up to such a high rate of discharge.

Looking at similar products on Amazon some have good reviews, others have poor reviews. The item you linked to has no reviews.

 

[maboat]

I am uncertain how long the very small lithium battery would hold up to such a high rate of discharge.

Yeah, but its not for regular use, just for emergencies. It only needs to work once (or maybe a few times)

 

[Lspeedss]

I'll give it a few years to get the fires..uh um I mean the bugs out. Looks cool though.

 

[bucks448]

@bucks448, those little jump packs must have lithium batteries in them.

Lithium batteries work great in phones, computers and even in some electric cars that occasionally catch fire.

I am uncertain how long the very small lithium battery would hold up to such a high rate of discharge.

Looking at similar products on Amazon some have good reviews, others have poor reviews. The item you linked to has no reviews.

That was my main concern, and researching more, it does seem that lithium batteries are being used. They've had their issues, but everyone carries them around in their pockets all day...I just wonder how careful this category is with products.

@maboat the powerall does seem to be a better product.

 

[Craig]

Me and my boys flew RC airplanes for awhile (nitro and electric), and it was my experience with the lithium batteries that a smart charger is a must. A lot of the guys we flew with purchased fire retardant bags to store the batteries in while they charged as they were somewhat susceptible to catching fire. I have no idea if this is a different battery type, more evolved,etc...but I think I'll wait on purchasing, I saw the aftermath once when one caught on fire in the charge bag.

 

[Bruce]

I like Lithium batteries. They are the best available for lots of uses. But they are pulling a very high amperage from a very small battery for a short period of time in this usage. Lithium batteries may not hold up well under this usage.

We could start our Yamahas with small batteries. We have the same engines as wave runners which have small batteries. I have thought about adding a small motorcycle sized AGM battery to my boat as a starter battery. It would be low cost, light weight and sufficient for the task.

 

[jetboater4life]

I used this as my backup last summer.
http://www.amazon.com/Clore-JNC300XL-Jump-N-Carry-Ultraportable-12-Volt/dp/B000XQ9MGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395290269&sr=8-1&keywords=jump+starter

It saved my butt in the dark after the fireworks on the fourth of July. Started my boat right up with no problems after my battery went dead.

 

[Gym]

It sounds like lithium batteries may have the same anomaly as NiCad batteries which are susceptible to thermal runaway. When you charge them they heat up the more they heat up the more charge they will accept making them hotter. This cycle continues until fire or explosion occurs. We had one blow a hole in the side of an airplane due to thermal runaway. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is having these same overheat and fire problems with its lithium batteries. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/509981/grounded-boeing-787-dreamliners-use-batteries-prone-to-overheating/ There have also been some fire issues with laptops (I think Sony) using Lithium-Ion batteries. I think I would stay with current, Marine recommended, battery technology for now.

 

[biglar155]

Yeah, but its not for regular use, just for emergencies. It only needs to work once (or maybe a few times)

Then again, do you want to rely on something like that in an emergency? After all, it's called an "emergency" for a reason.

My Dad had a tool kit on his boat that consisted of the old worn-out tools from his "main" kit that he had replaced with better ones. I used to do the same until it dawned on me: If I'm in the middle of an emergency, do I want the sloppy Harbor Freight adjustable wrench or something descent? My boat tool kit now consists of Craftsman and Channellock. Maybe not exactly Snap-On, but certainly high quality enough that I won't curse my tools when I'm using them.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[SCSTWG]

I bought a jump box over the winter to take on the boat. I think I could save us from an issue at some point. Also not a bad thing to have around the house for the vehicles.

 

[smack]

I use the same Clore 300 that Derick has - haven't yet had to use it to jump the boat but it has come in handy for a bunch of other things (winch, friends car etc). Good to have on hand just in case and easy to pack.

 

[Cory]

I have one from Sears that also has an inflator on it. I used the inflator for the tubes up until I got a dedicated pump. Saved me one time also.