Jump Starter pack

[John]

Having left the lights on in the 11a the battery was flat this morning
This got me thinking again of the cold dark night and mornings about to start
If I was to buy a jump starter pack to start a TDI/TD5 and petrol engines, that could hold its charge unused for a few months in a cold car, what would be the best buy/make to look at

and on another thought, modern cars have a warning buzer when you get out with the lights left on but on sereies Land Rovers with no built in door switch, any ideas (not wishing to fit a door switch to my 3 series)

(could I wire a buzer to come on with the ignition off but headlamps on? but how,is there a kit)

[Alchad]

NOCO are supposed to be one of the best, got quite a lot to choose from power wise if you check Amazon, I've got this which supposedly starts  6.5L petrol and 3.0 diesel, and I have used it to start my tractor before now.



https://amzn.eu/d/4MExISn

[diffwhine]

NOCO Boost GB40 or GB60 - all day any day!
The big ones might be a bit of overkill, but if you are starting a 2.25 diesel with the original starter motor maybe the bigger the better.

[Maarten88]

Another vote for NOCO, very powerful and small to carry around.

[Carlos Fandango]

Noco definitely I jump started my 2.4 tdci with it last week from an absolutely flat battery.

[John]

NOCO Boost GB40 or GB60 - all day any day!
The big ones might be a bit of overkill, but if you are starting a 2.25 diesel with the original starter motor maybe the bigger the better.

but for a 200TDI or TD5 the GB40 would be OK?
and how many months from a full charge would it do this before a top up charge being needed if not used?

[diffwhine]

I just went out and checked mine and its a GB70, not a GB60. I don't think a GB60 exists. I used it a lot when working with the Grenadier prototypes (3l petrol or diesel 6 cylinder engines). On one day I started 9 vehicles from a displayed 8 or so volts in the batteries on the dash displays without a problem with one charge. I can't say how long they stay charged for, but this one is probably 3 years old now and I last charged it about 2 months ago. Its still showing as fully charged.

For a TD5 or Tdi, I'd probably err on the side of caution and go for the GB70, but for occasional use, I'm sure a GB40 would be fine as it delivers a 1000Amp boost if needed - more than enough!

[Richard]

I bought a second hand Schumacher DSR109. I connect the leads to the battery, wait for the thing to charge the ultracapacitators from the emptyish battery (not below 8 V), max 2 minutes, start the engine and disconnect again. Works on diesels up to 2.5, so my 300 TDi. Here's a video. And you don't have to worry about discharging in cold weather. You charge it up in 2 minutes every time you need it. There are better and newer ones, but this one was cheap 😎

Richard

[Scotty]

Hi, I've got a Noco GB40 and although I've never had to use it personally I have assisted neighbours and it has been faultless, even starting a neighbours LWB Nissan Patrol not sure what engine it has but it span it up no problem, reference charging I just charge mine once a year and it lives in the boot of my car    Paul

[John]

That sounds good and a recharge once a year is great, I did fear the need to remember it ever month as time seems to go so fast,
Thank You

[Wittsend]

Don't laugh ... I have a Britpart Power Pack and very good it is 

It's been used a few times to get me started.
Lives under the seat in my Eurobox.





Obviously there are several choices out there. I can't recommend one brand over another.
They make good Christmas presents, I bought a few for the family a couple of years back as I got fed up with phone calls - "dad can you come out and start my car ?" They also double up as a way to charge your phone up.


Now would be a good reminder to get them out and charge them up ready for winter duty.

[Alchad]

Re the NOCO's - one thing for new users who like me probably don't read the instructions too carefully. If you've got a very flat battery to charge the NOCO might initially refuse to play ball and you will need to use manual override.

https://youtu.be/YhyFCP8c7ME?si=xeaudw_uMPNGFIzA

[Craig T]

I was told by someone last week about the Lidl jump start pack.
Very small, can be charged in the car and was able to jump start a TD5 Discovery from flat.

https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/ultimate-speed-portable-jump-starter-with-power-bank/p10007894

Craig.

[Wittsend]

The "real" solution to the original question posed here is to fit a battery isolation switch.

This could either be a "red key" device in the cab (an handy security deterrent) or a clamp on the battery.

Very useful if the vehicle is only used occasionally.

Easy to fit and not that expensive.

[w3526602]

Hi Alan,

Slightly OT, or maybe not ....

I see that you needed, and have, a ring terminal on the end of the cable with the "isolator" clamp.

I always change my battery cables immediately (or  ASAP) to ring terminals. That means they will fit to both round or flat battery posts, and will accommodate batteries with either post configeration. (some batteries have the posts on the opposite ends).

You may need to buy new battery clamps, but they will look pretty, and be cheaper than buying a long cable with a clamp soldered on.

I never throw old battery cables away, I store them in an old oil drum.

Er ... do battery cables grow old and tired? Somebody once told me they do. I think it is unlikely, but ....

602

I never thr