Battery Booster Packs - Emergency starting battery???

[DiyGuy]

OK, so I need some input about these things. In the last month, my boat ran down BOTH batteries (left a relay switch on), and a just installed audio power amp in my truck (with leaking voltage somewhere) ran it down completely in 4 days while out of town. (that was fun- stuck in the airport parking lot at 2AM)

I've seen these hand held emergency battery pack starters, and tried one by a generous person trying to help that had one -it didn't work!

On one side are the expensive ones that state Cold Crank Amps, and others (cheaper) that proclaim zillions of amps, but don't state CCA's?

So, How much, what kind, and opinions are welcome here. Looking for something that WILL work on a completely dead battery to hook up, turn on and crank it up without spending a fortune for one - like around $50-$75 tops.

Anyone care to chime in?

[Luke]

I bought mine from costco, think it is still on their site. It has power for 5* jumps a light and an air compressor that takes days. I never go out without it as we have only one battery right now.

I have to admit I use it a hell of a lot. My little 510 couldn't hold a charge so I always kept it in the trunk. Used it I think 9 times once before charging it. Could have used more if I needed it but I was home for the day.

It was around $120, maybe cheaper. Definitley well worth it. My brother uses it a lot for his BMW which had a problem.

*Depending how much draw the start takes.

[dba4life]

I bought mine from Pep Boys. Have used many times - Including the last time out when I ran down both batteries. I spend about $60 on it two years ago.

[Goochy]

$58.00 and it works everytime. Put it in the boat all summer and your truck all winter. Its great to let others boaters use it, NO more booster cables

[whiteVLX]

Diy

I've been around lots of leaky amps, so my solution is to add a high current relay into the power lead. I use a switch to turn on my amps, the switch also powers the control side of the amp relay. So unless the switch is turned on there's no way the amp can draw any current. Pretty low tech solution, but it works and I've never had any problems with it.

Forgot to add, the relay cost me $5

[DiyGuy]

What brand names have you used (on the ones that DO work) - The $58 one appeals to me....

Does it say - Amps/CCA on it anywhere? Was at Wally World and saw two. One for around $70 that only said 2/5/10/40 amp. (no CCA shown). The other, only $39 said, MAX 900 AMP - again no CCA..

Do the cheap ones work for boat or car as long as they have #2 wire to the clamps?

A famous quote - anyone can make a mistake....only a fool makes the same mistake twice. - therefore am looking for something that assures the latter won't become the case.

[eldorett]

I bought one of those things about 2 years ago from Wal-Mart for around $60. Ever since the day I brought it home, I've barely needed it. My battery used to die constantly and now it never does (knock on wood). I got the idea to get one because I used to borrow the neighbor's practically daily. On the rare occasion that I've needed it since, its been great and almost immediately done the trick (unless there was more to the problem than just not enough juice). One word of warning, though. Mine has an alarm that tells you if the pack is hooked up backwards and it got wet once and the alarm wouldn't shut off until we drained the thing completely (took the better part of a week...my roomates loved me that week, for sure). Make sure you store it in a cool dry place and try to avoid splashing anywhere near it (sounds like common sense but somehow mine still got wet).

[Erik]

as one of the roomates who had to endure the
biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing I did not in fact enjoy it. Especially since the thing went off invariably when Dan was not home.

If you get one of those things dont even let it get damp! Let alone wet...