Emergency battery booster packs (Good/Bad?)

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Henry_b said:
Ah you';; be leaving it at a car park.. :eek: Well a good jump starter it is then :D
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With all these high tech. motors developing flat batteries in a matter of days it would be a good idea if power points were provided, either for a hire fee or added to the holiday package. When we are all driving 'milk floats' :( car park power will be a given anyway.
 
I've got a digger and a dumper on my smallholding that get used occasionally. Both have diesel engines that are in the region of four and a half
litres. I got one of those Noco Genius boosters and was well impressed. It spins the JCB's engine over very rapidly. When I were a lad boosters were big metal trolleys full of car batteries, so I was pleasantly surprised.
 
LiPo booster packs are ok, providing they are made by a reputable manufacturer. However the total amount of energy stored in those tiny LiPo pouch packs is small, especially when compared to a similar price Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) booster packs. The lower total capacity of LiPo booster pack means lower cranking times. While this is ok for a vehicle that starts quickly, but has a discharged battery, it's not much help if the vehicle is stubborn to start.

SLA packs can also be left on charge until needed. This is something that can't be done with a LiPo, or it's capacity is greatly reduced. LiPos can also burst into flame, if they're damaged or overheated.

I've had a few SLA booster packs over the years, and for the price, they're impossible to beat.
 
Having just bought the Mrs. her own 4WD car (Mini All4) she really wanted, I determined that "feck-it! - Why not treat myself too?"
I bought the NOCO GB40 Boost pack to stick in the back of the Rangie.
 
You have to keep 'em topped up wivs juice ... three months and they're knacked again ...

Like any re-chargeable ... only so many bites at the cherry ... about 1000 I think, it's say all that on the bunff ... read and compare ...

I have one we keep for jumping ours and friends, had it five years, it has done great work ... and it pumps up tyres ... :)
 
norseman said:
With all these high tech. motors developing flat batteries in a matter of days it would be a good idea if power points were provided, either for a hire fee or added to the holiday package. When we are all driving 'milk floats' :( car park power will be a given anyway.
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Them solar top-up chargers are good during the summer ...
 
DanClarke said:
Having just bought the Mrs. her own 4WD car (Mini All4) she really wanted, I determined that "feck-it! - Why not treat myself too?"
I bought the NOCO GB40 Boost pack to stick in the back of the Rangie.
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I was looking at the this or the GB70....
after today messing about after 3 different motor's with dead battery's ive had enough messing about I need to get something.
 
DanClarke said:
Nope. I did charge it up from its delivered 25% charged state to the 100% though.
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100% of naff all is still naff all.

The problem with LiPo cells is how they're used and stored. They like to be discharged to a storage charge when not being used. This makes them less likely to explode in storage, and stops the cells from dropping in capacity.

LiPo cells are good, but not in a booster pack.
 
Nodge68 said:
100% of naff all is still naff all.

The problem with LiPo cells is how they're used and stored. They like to be discharged to a storage charge when not being used. This makes them less likely to explode in storage, and stops the cells from dropping in capacity.

LiPo cells are good, but not in a booster pack.
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Interesting.... so for a booster what would you recommend??
 
kevstar said:
Interesting.... so for a booster what would you recommend??
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Those that contain SLA batteries. The lead acid battery is a perfect power source for this use. It can supply huge current when needed, which is perfect for starting cars. They can also left on charge, keeping them at 100% capacity until needed. They can be kept in a hot car, without the fear of them exploding, and also don't explode if the leads are accidentally shorted, although the leads are likely to melt.

I'm a big fan of LiPo batteries, but the technology just isn't suitable for use as a starting booster pack.
 
Nodge68 said:
Those that contain SLA batteries. The lead acid battery is a perfect power source for this use. It can supply huge current when needed, which is perfect for starting cars. They can also left on charge, keeping them at 100% capacity until needed. They can be kept in a hot car, without the fear of them exploding, and also don't explode if the leads are accidentally shorted, although the leads are likely to melt.

I'm a big fan of LiPo batteries, but the technology just isn't suitable for use as a starting booster pack.
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Thanking you sir, ive been looking at the LiPo boosters don't think il bother with them il stick with SLA types ;)
 
kevstar said:
Thanking you sir, ive been looking at the LiPo boosters don't think il bother with them il stick with SLA types ;)
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I hear what you say and have no quantitative data to disprove it. However, there are lots of positive reports for the units saving peoples bacon without exploding or catching fire.
Including folks on this site that have rescued tractors and other heavy plant with them. They can't be all bad.
 
DanClarke said:
I hear what you say and have no quantitative data to disprove it. However, there are lots of positive reports for the units saving peoples bacon without exploding or catching fire.
Including folks on this site that have rescued tractors and other heavy plant with them. They can't be all bad.
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Yes I agree they cant be all that bad & I haven't heard of anyone having any issues but Id rather have something
that's tried & tested, rather than being a lab rat an being the 1% out of the hundred that it goes tit up plus id rather
not waste nearly 200 quid. I want it to work when I need it to work, the charging discharging & keeping it at certain
temps ect seams a faff.. I cant be arsed with faffing about..
 
DanClarke said:
They can't be all bad.
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They're all compromised. If LiPo batteries were suitable for starting cars, then car manufacturers would be using them, but they don't.
DanClarke said:
However, there are lots of positive reports for the units saving peoples bacon without exploding or catching fire.
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I don't doubt it. But was a SLA booster pack also tried at the same time? If not, then a direct comparison can't be made.
The daughter's car had a completely flat battery today, so needed a boost from my SLA booster pack. It started just fine, after an extended period of cranking, which is why I would use that type of booster pack. LiPo booster packs aren't designed for extended cranking, and don't have the capacity to facilitate it.
 
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