Magicfloat

The portable battery thingie to start a boat/car when battery is dead.I've owned several different ones, none have been worth much and die quickly. Who makes a good one?

wetpleasure

I have bought a couple myself. If you want a good one spend the money and get one with a lot of amps. check the boost amps and continues amps.

US1 Fountain

iTrader: (1)

I have the Century 1000. Paid only $49 from Sams a couple yrs ago. Has never failed yet. A buddy hauled his boat with a 350 to Kentucky last yr only to find out his battery was junk/dead/ kaput!. He used my jumper box the 1st day with numerous starts, and start it did, every time.

JaayTeee

The wife got me a VECTOR POWER CITY,
for christmas a couple of years ago.

It has came to the rescue a few times
for me, (due to an over active stereo)
and my friends.

This thing even has a removeable light,
inflator/ deflator, inverter for AC powered
items, and 2 12V outlets

I have seen these in the "junk mailer"
catalogs us boater get, but don't have
one handy for any more details.

jt

mcollinstn

SECRET to making them last:

Do NOT leave plugged onto the charger all the time. Charge only until the "fully charged" light shows a full charge, then unplug it. Leave it off the charger for up to a month or 6 weeks before recharging it.

I have seen them with both "NiCAD" batteries and with sealed "lead acid" batteries. Both are susceptible to overcharging. If a lead acid dies, then it needs the cell replaced. If a NiCAD acts lame, then it can many times be brought back by deeply discharging it and recharging it for several (5) cycles.

I've seen the Powr World all in one unit and it is cool.

I have a cheap Sams unit 400 amps with light and compressor. No gripes yet.

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

I asked this question a few months back, and got a few responses. I ended up buying one from Sears. They had two, a large and a small. I went for the big one, and it does fine for me. I limped the batteries in the Sonic through the last month or so with it. I think it was about $80 bucks with a 5 year warranty. it is black, and not at all chinsy. It is solid, with a triangular shape, so it will not fall over like the skinny yellow ones, and the cords wrap around the feet and clip back onto the plastic case. It also has a cigarette lighter outlet on it.

jafo

Spend the extra money and get a good one- I have a Mac with 2000 CCA, and the charger is built into the pack. Also has a cig lighter plug. I believe it cost around $160?
Avoid those with lots of accessories, like inverters for AC use.

I've had mine 4 years, with lots of use, and it will start anything, including a diesel. I carry it with me on the boat too.
Jim