Portable Jump Starter - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Johnny Footstool · 02-14-2011, 04:18 PM

I'd like to buy a portable jump starter. I don't need a top-of-the-line, cold-weather model, just something that can start a mid-sized sedan. Any recomendations?

SunDeck · 02-14-2011, 05:16 PM

I parked my Subaru on a hill for two years in college.

Johnny Footstool · 02-14-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunDeck

I parked my Subaru on a hill for two years in college.

Kansas is flat.

PedroBourbon · 02-14-2011, 06:04 PM

I don't remember the brand, but I purchased one at Wal-mart a few years ago for around $50 that lasted a long time. Had an air pump too. Have to remember to charge it at least every month or two. It was quite handy.

Reds4Life · 02-14-2011, 06:09 PM

I got one at Sams for $70 a few years ago, works well. Saved me twice.

Reds Nd2 · 02-15-2011, 07:57 PM

If you can depend on the kindness of strangers, a cheap set of jumper cables will run you less than $10.00

Cuban_Missile · 02-15-2011, 08:20 PM

Cables or a new battery will be about just as cheap.

SunDeck · 02-15-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Footstool

Kansas is flat.

I was concerned about that. You'll have to move, obviously.

The Operator · 02-16-2011, 12:19 AM

Hitchhiking is always an option.

Johnny Footstool · 02-16-2011, 12:47 AM

My car (2005 Nissan Maxima) tends to drain batteries pretty quickly and unexpectedly. Rather than invest in a new battery every 2 years, I bought a trickle charger to help maintain my current battery. But I need a contingency plan for those sudden drains, like if I forget and roll down the power windows without actually starting the car.

I have jumper cables that work just fine. But my wife leaves before me in the mornings, and rather than bug a neighbor, it would be much faster for me to just use the jump starter. A portable jump starter also comes in handy when you're stuck in a crowded parking lot and don't want to have to wait for one of the drivers of the surrounding cars. Plus I've got a preschooler and a toddler, so waiting around with them in the car is a dicey proposition.

Johnny Footstool · 02-16-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunDeck

I was concerned about that. You'll have to move, obviously.

Or invest in a sail...

Johnny Footstool · 02-16-2011, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Operator

Hitchhiking is always an option.

Isn't there an old saying about how no one rides for free?

The Operator · 02-16-2011, 02:15 AM

I didn't say it was a *good* option.

Have you had your car in to have the electrical system looked at? The occasional dead battery happens to everyone but it's really not something that you should be experiencing on a repeat basis, IMO.

Do you generally buy good batteries with really high amounts of cranking current available? Sometimes that can be the difference between a hard start and a click when you turn the key.

But even without that, something as simple as using your automatic windows without the car's alternator turning should not be leading to a dead battery. I'm no expert on automotive systems, but that just sounds extreme to me.

Johnny Footstool · 02-16-2011, 11:46 AM

Yes, I had my electrical system checked back in October. No ongoing issues there. But a jumper box and a trickle charger should keep me from getting stuck unless/until a major electrical issue becomes apparent.

Hoosier Red · 02-16-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Footstool

Yes, I had my electrical system checked back in October. No ongoing issues there. But a jumper box and a trickle charger should keep me from getting stuck unless/until a major electrical issue becomes apparent.

http://www.shopwiki.com/_Wagan-2017-...7132326&s=3885

Don't know if this would solve your problem but it looks pretty cool.
My mom tends to forget to close her car door, so we got a regular charger for her and I think it cost about $50.

02-14-2011, 04:18 PM	#1
Johnny Footstool Churlish Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 13,670	Portable Jump Starter I'd like to buy a portable jump starter. I don't need a top-of-the-line, cold-weather model, just something that can start a mid-sized sedan. Any recomendations? __________________ "I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

02-14-2011, 05:16 PM	#2
SunDeck First Time Caller Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 5,229	Re: Portable Jump Starter I parked my Subaru on a hill for two years in college. __________________ Dusty Baker, second shooter. --Confirmed on Redszone.

02-14-2011, 06:04 PM	#4
PedroBourbon Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: georgetown, KY Posts: 454	Re: Portable Jump Starter I don't remember the brand, but I purchased one at Wal-mart a few years ago for around $50 that lasted a long time. Had an air pump too. Have to remember to charge it at least every month or two. It was quite handy. __________________ "Trying is the first step towards failure." Homer Simpson "I wasn't looking too good but I was feeling real well." Keith Richards

02-14-2011, 06:09 PM	#5
Reds4Life Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 3,918	Re: Portable Jump Starter I got one at Sams for $70 a few years ago, works well. Saved me twice. __________________ Pessimists are well informed optimists

02-15-2011, 07:57 PM	#6
Reds Nd2 Little Reds BandWagon Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,244	Re: Portable Jump Starter If you can depend on the kindness of strangers, a cheap set of jumper cables will run you less than $10.00 __________________ "...You just have a wider lens than one game." --Former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, on why he didn't fly Josh Hamilton to Colorado for one game. "...its money well-spent. Don't screw around with your freedom." --Roy Tucker, on why you need to lawyer up when you find yourself swimming with sharks.

02-15-2011, 08:20 PM	#7
Cuban_Missile Legends Never Die Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: West Chester and Toledo, OH Posts: 204	Re: Portable Jump Starter Cables or a new battery will be about just as cheap. __________________ "Baseball is a simple game. If you have good players and if you keep them in the right frame of mind then the manager is a success."- Sparky Anderson If anyone could make me a real signature that would be awesome I am not great with photoshop.

02-16-2011, 12:47 AM	#10
Johnny Footstool Churlish Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 13,670	Re: Portable Jump Starter My car (2005 Nissan Maxima) tends to drain batteries pretty quickly and unexpectedly. Rather than invest in a new battery every 2 years, I bought a trickle charger to help maintain my current battery. But I need a contingency plan for those sudden drains, like if I forget and roll down the power windows without actually starting the car. I have jumper cables that work just fine. But my wife leaves before me in the mornings, and rather than bug a neighbor, it would be much faster for me to just use the jump starter. A portable jump starter also comes in handy when you're stuck in a crowded parking lot and don't want to have to wait for one of the drivers of the surrounding cars. Plus I've got a preschooler and a toddler, so waiting around with them in the car is a dicey proposition. __________________ "I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

02-16-2011, 11:46 AM	#14
Johnny Footstool Churlish Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 13,670	Re: Portable Jump Starter Yes, I had my electrical system checked back in October. No ongoing issues there. But a jumper box and a trickle charger should keep me from getting stuck unless/until a major electrical issue becomes apparent. __________________ "I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

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