[Shop-talk] Battery Starter/Charger

[Jim Stone]

I used to do work for one of the largest AAA clubs in the country and periodically rode along with their service vehicles to spend time with their drivers and better understand both the drivers’ and the customers’ needs.  The drivers all seemed to carry this Clore charger in their trucks: https://www.cloreautomotive.com/sku.php?id=262 <https://www.cloreautomotive.com/sku.php?id=262>. That is the one I bought (as I recall, they were an Amazon Cyber Monday special) and it has served me well for the past 5 years or so.  I keep that one in my truck.  I also have a Li-ion charger (another Cyber Monday special) that I keep in my Alpine.  I am sure it isn’t near up to the quality of the Close Li-ion chargers, but it will do the trick for that car when needed, although just barely.  I don’t think it would make a dent in an F-150 with a totally dead battery, or even a one with a weak battery.  It also isn’t instant, even in the Alpine.  You have to attach it to the battery and then wait until an LED indicates sufficient charge.  Maybe a better one would be different (and Clore's 700 amp charger does say it will handle a V8 https://www.cloreautomotive.com/sku.php?id=558 <https://www.cloreautomotive.com/sku.php?id=558>), but for heavy duty use, I strongly recommend the big Clore.

Now, that said, during the same AAA ride-alongs I was also shocked to discover that this was the jack they carried in the trucks: https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-62160.html <https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-62160.html>. So, take my testimonial with a grain of salt.  :)

Jim

> On Sep 6, 2018, at 10:39 AM, Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Begs the question--that I posed, sort of, in a previous reply--can these 'candy-bar sized' jump starters REALLY jump start a totally dead battery on a larger car or truck?  The bulky one, with air compressor, lights and USB ports that I have jumped a not-totally-flat Tercel, but wouldn't jump my Mustang (it probably has nickel-metal-hydride batteries based on its size and cost, about $80).
> I'll bet most on this list buy batteries with the most CCA they can get.  Some, like AGM, boast CCAs approaching 1,000, and I think a typical, medium-sized sedan needs about 300CCA or more for cold starting.  My understanding of battery technology isn't great, but AFAIK Li-Ion batteries are designed to supply more-or-less constant current over time; that's why they are used in electric cars (sort of a modern 'deep cycle' battery, like those used in trolling motors).   To start a cold car with a totally flat battery you need quite a bit of juice; even the wheeled chargers I've been looking at only claim about 200A of start capability; enough to get a somewhat discharged battery over-the-top.  Has anyone with a small, Li-Ion jumper actually started a cold F150 with a totally dead battery?
> At any rate, I have a '55 T-Bird and an old Ford tractor that are both 6V (there's a reason why most cars went 12V many moons ago, and may go to 24V in the future).  What I mostly need is something that will charge up a flat 6V or 12V battery as quickly as possible, and maybe help crank these vehicles with a weak battery.
> 
> Bob
> 
> On 9/6/2018 7:23 AM, Peter Murray wrote:
>> How much capacity do you need? Most modern "jump start" kits with lithium batteries can be carried by my 5-year-old, so it may not need to be wheeled!
>> 
>> -Peter
>> 
>> On Thu, Sep 6, 2018 at 3:22 AM Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net <mailto:bspidell at comcast.net>> wrote:
>> Listers,
>> 
>> I'm in need of one; one of the larger, (usually) wheeled type (I already 
>> have 'trickle' chargers).  It has to start/charge both 6V and 12V 
>> engines.  The prevailing brand appears to be Schumacher, does anybody 
>> have opinions on that brand or know of any better?  I'm thinking in the 
>> $200 range, but will go higher if there's a 'must have.'
>> 
>> TIA,
>> Bob
>> 
> 
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