This was posted 2 years 6 months 8 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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SCA 12V 1900 Amp 8 Cylinder Jump Starter $169.99 (Was $269.99) + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store) @ Supercheap Auto

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I picked up one of these as I needed a portable, high-ish capacity 12v power source. Looked around at a variety of car/boat batteries, and anything close to this capacity (38ah) was close to or more than $200, plus I'd need a charger.

This unit is obviously a car jump starter, but it has dual 12v accessory ports (cigaret lighter styler), a work light, battery meter, and a a USB port on the back PLUS it has it's own charger.

Pretty compact for what it is, albeit somewhat heavy. These are great if you have troubles with the car, or want some redundancy if you're going travelling or camping. I personally just use it as a good power source for 12v accessories that I can run for a long time.

Just make sure to keep it charged as per the 3 month cycle in the manual, or it will die

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  • Sorry, I forgot to include it in the title - but it's obviously from Supercheap Auto as it's their own brand

  • I've owned one of these before and it was great.
    Curious if someone can explain the functional difference between the lithium batteries often listed. eg https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/697112

    • As far as functionality goes, they're essentially the same as far as I know - however I'd say the main difference between what I posted and what you linked is the capacity (and peak power for jumping). But the one I linked is 38 amp hours, and the lithium one is 18, so just under half the capacity.

      Obviously the trade offs are size and weight, ease of charging, portability etc. I'd say the SCA one is probably a little more rugged with its casing as well. I think generally Lithium batteries are considered to be more technologically advanced with their internals, and have the ability (might be talking out of my arse here) store more power for its given size.

      Again, talking out of my rear, I think Lithium batteries are more prone to causing more damage, if they were to explode.

      • Cheers

      • +1

        38AH AGM is roughly the equiv of 18AH Lithium. the DOD % of AGM batteries is 50%

        the AGM will live for up to 500 cycles, but also likely just die when you forget it about after using it the first time (as per one of the chaps who gave it a 5 star review but also mentioned he let it die by forgetting about it and allowing it to 100% discharge).

        the lithium will be good for 2000+ cycles and also won't entirely die if you forget about it.

        • Cheers, So lets consider me a bit clueless.
          I have a 75hp outboard motor and am pretty sure I forgot to isolate the battery 12 months ago. I have been wondering if I can use one of the lithium units as an alternative (or at least to test if the outboard got destroyed when boat swamped in Brissy rainbomb), now seeing the SCA which I am a little familiar with am considering that instead, (can use as boat battery remove from boat when not in use take camping etc as well). But if lithium will do that job I'd prefer.

          • +1

            @tonka: You should be able to jump start it with either, if that is what you are referring to, but if you mean using one of these instead of the battery on the board, i'm not sure how that would go. I'm not familiar with boat motors, but i'd hazard a guess that a 75HP boat motor isn't anywhere near as large as the engines this SCA jump starter can accommodate, so going for a smaller/cheaper one even if going the AGM route would probably be the way (unless you have an 8cyl car you'd also want to be jump starting).

        • +1

          They're probably listing the ah of the lithium at 3.7v so it would be closer to 5ah. I'd still get the lithium one for reliability though

  • I'm not seeing the AH capacity listed anywhere, but just a note, these are AGM not Lithium, so if it is 38AH you really only have about 20AH useable and maybe 500 cycles if you're lucky, probably closer to 150-300, so make sure to take care around discharging/recharging. Also, if it is 38AH, it should weigh about 12-15kg

    If you are looking at this for portable power, a comparable LIFEPO4 battery of 20AH can be had from around the 140-160 mark (I think kogan has some for 149 atm), weigh about only 2-3kg and you will get 2,000+ cycles from it. 15A cigarette socket can be had from as little as $5-10 online, if you want you could also go somewhere like Jaycar and pick up the PT4451 for $14.95, and they literally just go directly onto the battery terminals. the PT4551+the 20AH from Kogan (MOBI brand) would come to 164.90 and you've got a reliable 12v mobile power source with socket. If you need USB specifically, you can just plug your ciggy>usb adapter into the PT4451 socket.

    I would personally opt for the above plus a portable lithium jump starter kit (they are so small they can fit in your pocket, I keep one in the seat pocket in my car, never have to worry about it banging around in the boot). This would come to slightly more than the sale price here, but would be under the normal retail price but also last 4-10x as long

    • +1

      Sorry, the 38ah is listed in the specs of the manual that's linked on that page (made up of two batteries)

  • I would recommend Gooloo GT3000 over the SCA which is the same price after applying Prime coupon:
    https://www.amazon.com.au/GOOLOO-GT3000-Charging-SuperSafe-P…

    Besides gooloo being more compact and lithium, it can also charge Laptop/mac using USB-C port and can be charged quickly using 12v cig socket.

    • +1

      The one thing I would say about this is that while it says it is essentially 22.8AH, this can't be 22.8AH 12v, more than likely ~3.75v as it states 85wh - 12v 22800mh would be ~280wh (22.8AH at 3.75v is 85.5wh). It would be boosting/stepping up to achieve 12v

      • That's correct! This is not designed to run a fridge or any other device that requires 12v power continuously. It's more to give you a jump start, charge phones, mac/laptop and 12v air compressor/pump.

  • I had something similar with a lead acid battery, and replaced it with a GooLoo.
    Admittedly the old SCA was good for camping etc, but they are so big. The GooLoo is great when I downsized my car.

  • +1

    We have one similar to this great as a backup when the electricity goes out was able to keep our devices going especially when it was out for a few days very helpful.

  • i bought one of these back in 2014. batteries finally gave out last year so instead of shelling out for a brand new unit, i bought 2 of these when they were 20% off, taped them together and they fit perfectly into the case. you have to be careful to note how it was all connected up before you swap out the batteries. i use it mainly to charge up my old bunky that doesn't get driven much.

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