What are the benefits of owning a portable jump-starter?
A portable jump-starter could be a real life-saver if you ever get stranded with a dead car battery. While relying on an emergency roadside service provider or the kindness of stagers may well get you by, the quickest and easiest solution is to jump-start your own vehicle with a portable jump-starter. One of these lightweight and powerful units is a handy piece of gear that every vehicle should be equipped with at all times.
Are Lithium Ion jump-starters any good?
Yes, Lithium Ion jump-starters are valued for their compact size, lightweight nature, and the powerful boost of electricity that they provide to your vehicle. They allow drivers to be self-reliant when experiencing a dead or badly drained battery, and they’ll get you back on the road again in mere seconds. While lead-acid jump-starters also exist, Lithium Ion models are favoured today due to their convenient portability.
How long does a jump-start last?
The time required to fully recharge a vehicle’s battery after having a jump-start depends on factors such as the vehicle and battery type, the condition of the alternator, and how badly the battery was drained in the first place. While some mechanics recommend driving around for at least 15 minutes after a jump-start, you may require 30 minutes or more for a badly drained battery if you want to avoid another jump-start. For a failing alternator, replacement is an approaching inevitability.
Is 300 amps enough to start my car?
How many amps are required to start your car depends on a variety of factors. For instance, large commercial vehicles may require up to 1500 or even 2000 amps to start, but most cars require much less voltage. While most consumer vehicles will easily start on 400-600 amps, smaller, compact cars may require as little as 150 amps to start up.
Should I rev my engine when jump-starting a car?
Revving your engine during a jump-start may be a good idea. As your vehicle’s engine turns over faster, so does its alternator, and this generates more electricity. However, always avoid pushing your engine too hard. For instance, never push the pedal all the way to the floor as this places undue stress on the motor.
What should I look for when buying a portable jump-starter?
Among the key considerations of buying a portable jump-starter are the type of jump-starter you’re getting (Lithium Ion or lead-acid), size and portability, and its included safety features. The size and type of your vehicle’s engine (gas or diesel and number of cylinders) is also important. Among the safety features to look for are short circuit and overcharge protection, reverse polarity, and anti-spark technology.
Also of key importance when choosing a portable jump-starter is your battery’s size and voltage. For example, is it 6v, 12v, or even 24v? It’s important to know your vehicle and always do some research when making such a purchase.