Jump packs are limited in the ammount of power, like nicads.
But they are seriously convenient.

Most of them have an AC plug, so you can charge them off the
110 VAC power at home. Many have a "car charger" cord. So
you can charge off the lighter socket in your vehicle while
the car is running. If you are electric minded, you can make
a cord with a lighter plug on both ends. Back feed power
into the jump pack battery, so you can charge on the fly.

You can also charge with a solar panel, that sits in the
window of your car.

With any where from 9 to 22 amp hours gel cell, they give
you some power to work with. Jump packs are designed to
supply enough power to spin the starter for a moment, and
get the engine going. Clipping a jump pack on will not
charge the battery under the hood. But, after the engine
starts, you can leave the jump pack clipped on. If the
alternator is working, that should charge both your jump
pack, and the starting battery.

Some jumper packs are strong enough to start van or sport
ute vehicles. Depending on the size of the battery, how new
the pack is, and if the pack is charged. Many people don't
know that you have to charge the internal cell now and
again. A smaller unit, or an older one. might not jump a 6
or 8 cylinder vehicle. I have jumped my own Blazer (6
cylinder, 4.3 engine) at least four or five times, when
something was draining the power. The starter would go
"garowf, click clilck click" and fail to start. I'd clip on
the Winchester pack, and it would start right up.

I've also jumped at least three other peoples cars with my
jump packs. One in the church parking lot during sunday
school. One time at Kmart, the fellow offered me a $20 tip.
Helped me pay for the unit. For me, it's a "don't leave
home without it" item.

Both my jumper packs have a small inverter, so I can provide
small ammounts of 110 VAC house power. Modified sine, but
pretty good for some uses. Runs a drill, or a small light.
I've used mine to run my microfiche machine. Walmart had for
a while, a battery pack with an inverter, in either sporting
goods, or automotive. They started out about $80, and have
come down. I suspect they are discontinued.

I've seen at least a couple Harbor Freight units that won't
hold charge any more. I avoid that brand of jumper pack. The
one time I wanted to jump my Blazer, the HF pack wouldn't do
it, but a Winchester pack would. Yes, the HF pack was fully
charged.


--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

Stormin Mormon wrote:
Jump packs are limited in the ammount of power, like nicads.
But they are seriously convenient.

Most of them have an AC plug, so you can charge them off the
110 VAC power at home. Many have a "car charger" cord. So
you can charge off the lighter socket in your vehicle while
the car is running. If you are electric minded, you can make
a cord with a lighter plug on both ends. Back feed power
into the jump pack battery, so you can charge on the fly.

You can also charge with a solar panel, that sits in the
window of your car.

With any where from 9 to 22 amp hours gel cell, they give
you some power to work with. Jump packs are designed to
supply enough power to spin the starter for a moment, and
get the engine going. Clipping a jump pack on will not
charge the battery under the hood. But, after the engine
starts, you can leave the jump pack clipped on. If the
alternator is working, that should charge both your jump
pack, and the starting battery.

Some jumper packs are strong enough to start van or sport
ute vehicles. Depending on the size of the battery, how new
the pack is, and if the pack is charged. Many people don't
know that you have to charge the internal cell now and
again. A smaller unit, or an older one. might not jump a 6
or 8 cylinder vehicle. I have jumped my own Blazer (6
cylinder, 4.3 engine) at least four or five times, when
something was draining the power. The starter would go
"garowf, click clilck click" and fail to start. I'd clip on
the Winchester pack, and it would start right up.

I've also jumped at least three other peoples cars with my
jump packs. One in the church parking lot during sunday
school. One time at Kmart, the fellow offered me a $20 tip.
Helped me pay for the unit. For me, it's a "don't leave
home without it" item.

Both my jumper packs have a small inverter, so I can provide
small ammounts of 110 VAC house power. Modified sine, but
pretty good for some uses. Runs a drill, or a small light.
I've used mine to run my microfiche machine. Walmart had for
a while, a battery pack with an inverter, in either sporting
goods, or automotive. They started out about $80, and have
come down. I suspect they are discontinued.

I've seen at least a couple Harbor Freight units that won't
hold charge any more. I avoid that brand of jumper pack. The
one time I wanted to jump my Blazer, the HF pack wouldn't do
it, but a Winchester pack would. Yes, the HF pack was fully
charged.


But think of all the money you "saved" buying harbor freight junk...

wrote:

Nothing from HF will last long. It's cheap junk intended to be sold
to suckers stupid enough to buy their ****. The only one that
benefits are those who work for HF.

First, some things are not MEANT to last a long time. Over the weekend, I
saw a chap with a dozen 1" sponge brushes in his basket at Home Depot. Each
cost 98¢. A pack of eight sponge brushes at HF is priced at 88¢ !

Secondly, some things (not all thing, or possibly even most things) are
simply better at HF. I just bought a builder's square at HF that is way
superior to anything at the box stores. Why do I consider it superior?
Because the measurements embossed into the HF square are brown enamel
engraved into a yellow enameled frame. With standard squares, due to dirt
and the patina of time, the numbers are nearly impossible to read !

Your absolute comment may need to be calibrated a tad.

HeyBub wrote:
wrote:

Nothing from HF will last long. It's cheap junk intended to be sold
to suckers stupid enough to buy their ****. The only one that
benefits are those who work for HF.

First, some things are not MEANT to last a long time. Over the
weekend, I saw a chap with a dozen 1" sponge brushes in his basket at
Home Depot. Each cost 98¢. A pack of eight sponge brushes at HF is
priced at 88¢ !
Secondly, some things (not all thing, or possibly even most things)
are simply better at HF. I just bought a builder's square at HF that
is way superior to anything at the box stores. Why do I consider it
superior? Because the measurements embossed into the HF square are
brown enamel engraved into a yellow enameled frame. With standard
squares, due to dirt and the patina of time, the numbers are nearly
impossible to read !
Your absolute comment may need to be calibrated a tad.

I've got a bunch of "cheap junk" from horrible freight, and most of it works
just fine for my (home shop) needs.

Jon

all gell cells age fast and die, espically if not recharged
properly........

worse if in car trubk vibrating in freezing or baking heat.

your far better off with a serious battery charger with boost, and
jumper cables for out and about