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These portable pocket size battery jump starters, any good?
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Rich5ltr



Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 681
Location: Hampshire, UK

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 5:19 pm    Post subject: These portable pocket size battery jump starters, any good? Reply with quote

I see these new car jump starter power pack devices more frequently on eBay and places these days and I wondered if anyone here had actually used one and if they are any good?

I'm kind of suspicious of a power pack that's only 5" x 3" x 1/2" but if they work as once off starter then fair enough!

Was thinking of getting one but i) I want to know they actually work and ii) if I do get one does anyone have any recommendations what type to get? Question

e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pop-New-12V-20000mAh-Car-Jump-Starter-Pack-Booster-Charger-Battery-Power-Bank-/291819287890?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368
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Ellis



Joined: 07 Mar 2011
Posts: 1386
Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I went through six pages of positive feedback and two of these chargers had been sold.
Similarly, I looked at six pages of negative feedback and there are no references to it.

One would be handy.

You go first Rich5ltr! Smile
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Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1751
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was given one of the best buys in this review last Christmas:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/92728/best-jump-starter-pack-2015

It has always started my Riley when it has been reluctant to fire up due to lengthy periods in its garage. I take it in the car with me 'just in case' but have never needed it however it has come to the rescue of others on several occasions.

My only note of caution would be that the red/orange plastic box on the cable can get warm/hot, the casing of mine shows signs of heat distortion . I think this happens only when prolonged starting, it still works perfectly well.

I just spotted something else - the one I was given was bought via Amazon UK. I see that the contact address of the Ebay seller in the one linked to is in China; buy from there and you run the risk of being stung for customs duty, VAT etc. when it arrives plus a substantial handling fee from the courier.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
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Rich5ltr



Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 681
Location: Hampshire, UK

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 6:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks and yes, I wasn't intending to buy the specific one in the eBay link, I just used that as an example. I would certainly buy from the UK and possibly from a UK manufacturer.
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MVPeters



Joined: 28 Aug 2008
Posts: 822
Location: Northern MA, USA

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Our local hardware store, here in the US, is selling something similar for less than five USD.

Given that these devices contain a few 16650 3.7V batteries, the majority of which are highly over-rated, I have serious doubts that they can deliver even the 2amps claimed - & that won't make much of a dent in a dead car battery anyway.
I think I'd do some surfing for ---- 20000mah charger review ---- & make your own mind up.
Having said that they may well be a useful device to re-charge a cell phone or camera.

If you want a $5 one, I'll bring a few on my next trip next Easter, which is about when the advertised one will arrive from China!
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victor 101



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 446
Location: East Yorkshire

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Watched one on one of the TV shopping channels a couple of days ago and it started 9 decent size cars one after the other(non had a battery installed)
I didn't watch it for too long because the excitable loud mouth doing the ad was too much.
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4850
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
I haven't used any of those mini ones but at work we have a Charger/remote starter which is certainly effective and of course it has a recharging facility as well as a starting one.
The only problem I have found is when the workshop don't make sure it has a charge in it, and that would apply to any of them.
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
Posts: 4170
Location: The Somerset Levels

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Our booster charger is quite big, it would be good to have something small to take in the boot of the car.
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Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1751
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rootes75 wrote:
Our booster charger is quite big, it would be good to have something small to take in the boot of the car.


It would fit in the glove box or door pocket, it's about the size of a paperback book.
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Uncle Alec



Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 734
Location: Manchester

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 4:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Danny Hopkins demonstrated one to me when I delivered his Pathfinder, and it worked a treat. I was amazed to be honest.
Not likely to buy one though, as my cars have starting handles, which are cheaper.


Last edited by Uncle Alec on Sat Dec 24, 2016 5:04 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 5:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://no.co/products/power/jumpstarters.

(something weird on the website, but just scroll it down a bit)

We have two of these. (GB20) One stays with the vehicle and the other goes with the, snowmobile, ATV or tractor. It can save, perhaps a long and cold hike. USB powers the cell phone and will also power the high volume horn, to send ...---... which we have never had to use and hope we never will, at least not for ourselves.

After all, one of them is little more $'s than a restaurant meal and wine.
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Rusty



Joined: 10 Feb 2009
Posts: 272
Location: Bunbury, Western Australia

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A mate of mine has one and he loves it. Believe it or not it actually works, don't understand how, but it does !
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peppiB



Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 686
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 9:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hope they work as I have one on order. My normal battery booster is now too heavy for me to carry down to the basement car park (it makes a great door stop though)
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Rich5ltr



Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 681
Location: Hampshire, UK

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What one did you choose? I have a car in storage about 10 miles from home and it's not on a trickle charger so I am thinking of getting one to take with me as a precaution in case it won't start.
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stevel98



Joined: 04 Apr 2014
Posts: 74

PostPosted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

These things have lithium ion batteries and they are just chemical bombs waiting to go off hence the huge current they can deliver.

Please be careful with them. I work with a variety of these batteries and learned the hard way from one that was simply dropped, and it was correctly discharged too. It emitted a 2 foot long jet of flame like a blow torch that we couldnt put out even when dumped in a bucket of water.

If you need a spare battery to lug around, get a golf trolley lead acid one. Works a treat and much safer.
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