Portable emergency jump starter

[Helzie]

Hi

Can anyone recommend a portable jump starter for using in an emergency when the engine battery won't start the van? Preferably one that is a compact size!

Thanks.

Helen

 

[caledonia]

Lidl and Aldi have them on offer from time to time.

 

[jagmanx]

Or Amazon
Or Halfords to check size and weight

 

[TeamRienza]

Make sure you do some research on the suitability of a jump start to your Motorhome and possible ramifications. I believe some car models advise charging the battery rather than jumping, especially from a donor vehicle.

Davy

 

[Helzie]

Thanks. I was hoping someone could recommend a particular brand.

 

[oppy]

We have Aldi's version of this one

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Buy Vehicle Battery Chargers & Jump Starters and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items

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It certainly has enough umph to start our ancient Ducato based van into action, never tried the compressor side though. It also fits easily just half under the heater in the cab and goes with us everywhere and when it has been used I top up the charge via our inverter whilst travelling. I hope that this is of use.

 

[trevskoda]

Link your batteries up with a relay and switch, use heavy battery cable.

 

[witzend]

Can anyone recommend a portable jump starter for using in an emergency when the engine battery won't start the van? Preferably one that is a compact size!
Helen

I carry one of these to transfer power from leisure to engine battery in an emergency (Read the instructions)

12v Easy Jump Start Car Engine Starter Jumping Leads 12 Volt Power Socket for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 12v Easy Jump Start Car Engine Starter Jumping Leads 12 Volt Power Socket at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

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[Obanboy666]

Had one of these for 3 years, started numerous petrol cars and a couple of diesel motorhomes when out and about on my travels. I also use it to charge my iPad, iPhone, ecigs etc then charge it back up when on the move.
Not cheap but has been 100% reliable. Comes in a zipped heavy duty case with numerous cables etc to charge most phones and tablets.

Antigravity Batteries - Micro-Start XP10

Pocket sized Lithium-Ion 600 Peak Amp Jump Starter & Portable Power Supply, Jump starts petrol,Diesel Cars,Trucks,Motorcycles,Boats etc.

www.antigravitybatteries-uk.co.uk

 

[trevskoda]

All those work if batterie is down a we bit, but if almost no dash lights then you have no mission, i had to go start a jeep and they had one of those small battery jumpers, 5 mins on jump leads with my engine running and all batteries linked had them away.

 

[Tezza33]

Had one of these for 3 years, started numerous petrol cars and a couple of diesel motorhomes when out and about on my travels. I also use it to charge my iPad, iPhone, ecigs etc then charge it back up when on the move.
Not cheap but has been 100% reliable. Comes in a zipped heavy duty case with numerous cables etc to charge most phones and tablets.

Antigravity Batteries - Micro-Start XP10

Pocket sized Lithium-Ion 600 Peak Amp Jump Starter & Portable Power Supply, Jump starts petrol,Diesel Cars,Trucks,Motorcycles,Boats etc.

www.antigravitybatteries-uk.co.uk

I carry one of those in the car because I was having problems with the battery going flat because I was not using it, it will start the Panda when it is completely flat, (no lights on the dash) but I doubt it would start the van in the same situation, worth carrying though

 

[jagmanx]

I carry one of these to transfer power from leisure to engine battery in an emergency (Read the instructions)

12v Easy Jump Start Car Engine Starter Jumping Leads 12 Volt Power Socket for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 12v Easy Jump Start Car Engine Starter Jumping Leads 12 Volt Power Socket at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

In many ways this is the best solution. Or @trevskoda idea (Essentially the same !)
Very unlikely that both EB and LB (Often x2) would both be drained.
An external unit needs to be kept charged...I used to have a maplin one
Although it seems they will charge off of 12V I suggest that this is not enough if the EB is really low.
To charge then fully EHU or an inverter necessary...They also take up space and iMO jut add to the other clutter.
Many of us have breakdown insurance..even the lightweight breakdown vans will have a good unit to ensure starting.
I do however understand and agree with the concept of having your own solution !

 

[mfw]

Got 1 of these had it about 4 years now

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[Helzie]

Thanks everyone who took the time to reply with a couple of different solutions.

We've decided to get the NOCO GB50 1500 Amp UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter from Halfords as we want something simple, safe and compact. I wanted something where I didn't have to worry about connecting up the wrong things being a numpty when it comes to electrics. And we need something that can be used if we are in the middle of nowhere with no other vehicles about.

Let's hope we never need to use it!

 

[wildebus]

I have a lithium Jump Starter pack and find it works really well.
Initially used it on my LT with a knackered battery (and it was REALLY knackered, but I wanted to wait until spring to replace). Got a Video below of how it starts the 2.8L diesel engine with this battery

You could use the various battery to battery trickle leads to transfer some energy to a flat battery, but if you get in, find you have a flat battery, you may not want to wait the time that would take and a jump pack is a lot quicker.
Also handy compared to a Starter-Leisure connection as youy can use it on multiple vehicles (used mine on the car when it had a flat battery for some unknown reason, and also to start someones van in Durrige Bay at a Wild Camping meet a few years ago).

I used to have a couple of the Ring Power Packs like in mfw's post but found they were a ) heavy and awkward compared to the Lithium packs and b ) If you didn't keep it charged regularly it would die prematurely and be useless and if you left it plugged in to charge it would damage the battery due to the very basic charger built into it.
Old fashioned dated technology, long superceeded by the newer options.

 

[REC]

Too late as you already sorted it. We got a RoyPow similar to this but comes in case with all leads, charger etc neatly inside. Been very useful as has emergency light, usb chargers as well as jumpstart.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/IP66-Jump-Starter-Power-bank/dp/B01J1DUR90

 

[argoose]

I use a Noco genius boost.
Bought on the back of reviews.Link