Thinking of Keeping a Portable Emergency Jump Start Device

CMH on 26/05/2017 - 14:39

What are people's thoughts?

I've got a Corolla '04, and I've been stranded before due to a dead battery while out (old battery, came back and the car couldn't start. No lights left on or anything).

My latest battery is only 2.5 years old, but while I think it shouldn't be time already to change it again, I'm getting a bit nervous about it. (Never been flat before, or used like a deep-cycle for any reason. Although work is only 8 mins drive on 60kph road).

Anyone thinks having one of these in the boot is a good idea?

p.s. thinking of doing weekend trips up to the snow this year.

Automotive

Comments

  • kywst on 26/05/2017 - 15:26
    +1

    Don't think too hard. It might hurt.

  • Euphemistic on 26/05/2017 - 15:32
    +1

    Can you afford to wait for an hour or so for the NRMA IF you get a flat battery? Get you current battery load tested. Listen to the way the car start, and if it starts to get sluggish, get it tested again.

    Just put the money into a new battery.

    • CMH on 26/05/2017 - 19:53

      Won't be an hour if I'm stuck in Mt Hotham.

      It's fine at the moment, but things might be dicey at freezing temperatures. Anyone got a freezer I can borrow to test my battery?

  • inherentchoice on 26/05/2017 - 15:38

    Some cost as much as a new battery or even more. I would only consider getting a small portable one that doubles as a power bank, maybe like this: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/211708

    However I'm not so sure if those small ones are even powerful enough to start a car with a flat battery.

    It may be much cheaper and better to take out roadside assistance? Plus you're also saving on fuel by not having the extra dead weight in the boot.

    Motorists survived for decades (or even a century?) without carting around portable jump starters, and I feel like they're more of a novelty gimmick than anything else. They exist because people will buy them.

    PS do you know how to hill start or push start a car?

    • CMH on 26/05/2017 - 19:42

      Those are exactly what I was thinking about.

      My little Corolla shouldn't need that much CCA to start, so a small one would do. How heavy are they though?

      I do have jumpstart cables already, but it's still a pain trying to find volunteers. I'm thinking worst case scenario here if the car dies up in Mt Hotham as I'm trying to get down…

      And in the above scenario, hill starting a car on icy roads is probably not the best thing to attempt. I've never needed to try doing it, although I know the steps to.

      • inherentchoice on 26/05/2017 - 21:06

        Every bit of weight adds to the fuel burned. Especially you multiply it by thousands of km carrying the weight.

        • Binchicken22 on 27/05/2017 - 07:10

          LOL the little lithium ion portable jump starters weigh less than 500 grams… I don't think fuel usage needs to come into this calculation.

  • Richardc on 26/05/2017 - 15:40
    +2

    what about jump start cable?

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2017 - 16:08
      +2

      This.

      Thread closed.

    • CMH on 26/05/2017 - 19:44

      I do carry jump start cables.

      Next time you go to a shopping mall, see how often the bay in front of your car becomes free. Now imagine getting someone to come jumpstart your car, and having to wait for that bay to be free. Or maybe you'd be lucky and the person parked in front would let you jumpstart your car.

      It's a hassle.

      And like I said, I'm going up to the snow, everyone's always in a rush to get off the mountain at the end of the day. Might be a bit hard to get a volunteer.

      • Richardc on 26/05/2017 - 19:47

        I do found that reverse into the parking bay is easier..

        • CMH on 26/05/2017 - 19:51

          I always go head first.

          But I'll reverse in the next time I plan to have a flat battery.

  • supnigs super skids on 26/05/2017 - 15:45

    Why don't you buy a solar panel that charges your car ?

    • Euphemistic on 26/05/2017 - 16:25

      Awesome idea. Get a flat battery on the way home from dinner out. 3 days later you come back and you battery is fully charged and ready to go.

  • BensonP on 26/05/2017 - 16:43

    These things are great!

    Look for one that doubles as a power bank (I think Xiaomi make one?)

    Also, make sure it has a decent output. 400 cold cranking amps (CCA) should be enough for your little car. (Check the car manual for the CCA)

    • CMH on 26/05/2017 - 19:46

      Yeah, I was thinking of those. My current battery is pushing 330 CCA and starting the car just fine, so most of them would do well.

  • foxmulder on 26/05/2017 - 18:18

    Get your battery tested and replaced if low. SCA can replace it for free and should be better price than nrma. If not mistaken they only can be do it in sunny day.

    • CMH on 26/05/2017 - 19:47

      I did get my battery tested, and I was told it's still OK.

      But that really means nothing when you're testing it on a 20C day, and you're trying to start it up a mountain when its 0C.

      Then again, I'm not keen on changing my battery every 2 years, hence wondering if one of those things would be great form of insurance for me.

      • Euphemistic on 26/05/2017 - 21:27

        If your battery tested fine, it is fine. If necessary get it tested immediately before you go to the snow.

        (And don't forget to turn your lights off when you park)

  • The Hobo on 28/05/2017 - 02:08

    I received my Suaoki emergency jump starter on Friday. Tested it on a Sonata this afternoon and it started straight away! Was very surprised but pleased.

    Cost me about 90 bucks including an I inflator, doubles as a power bank and also has a decent led torch.

    • CMH on 28/05/2017 - 17:38

      might just carry one for my peace of mind.

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