The car battery can stop working without warning. If you’re at home or in a populated area, you can probably find another vehicle and use its battery to jump-start yours. However, what if the battery goes dead somewhere without easy access to helpful car owners? While you can call for a tow, it’s better to bust out the portable car jump starter in the back of your car or truck.
The portable car jump starter is a device for jump-starting the engine of a vehicle with a dead battery. It eliminates the requirement for a recovery vehicle with a working car battery, allowing you to jump-start your car or truck even if you’re miles from the nearest inhabited area.
In a standard jump-start procedure, you use jumper cables to connect the terminals of the recovery vehicle’s battery to the dead battery. The donor battery sends enough charge to start the engine. Once the alternator gets going, it generates enough power to drive the recipient vehicle to somewhere you can get it fixed.
Portable jump starters have an internal battery that stores enough power to start an engine multiple timers before needing a recharge. They make driving in remote areas safer.
Most portable car jump starters have two leads on their sides. The positive lead is red, while the negative lead is black. Their distinct colors help distinguish them and serve as a visible reminder of which lead connects to which battery terminal, reducing the risk of accidentally damaging the electrical system.
Unlike jump cables, the portable car jump starter commands a significantly higher price tag. After all, the equipment includes a small, high-capacity battery that can match the output of a larger car battery.
The most common battery types in portable jump starters are lead-acid and lithium-ion. Lead-acid jump starters are budget-friendly and deliver sufficient power for most vehicles.
In comparison, lithium-ion jump starters take up less space and weigh less. They also have greater power storage capacity and better performance, allowing them to jump-start an engine more times than their older lead-acid counterparts.
Most portable car jump starters provide the same charge as car batteries–around 12 volts. The more capable models can jump-start electrical systems with different voltage ratings, such as 6 and 24 volts.
A portable jump starter can have additional features that enable it to do more than just jump-starting your vehicle. Examples include USB chargers to power compatible electronic devices and LED lights for illuminating the work area. Some portable car jump starters have an inverter for 110-volt appliances.
Here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your portable car jump starter:
The portable jump starter has an instruction manual that contains everything you need to know about the device. Always read the manual to learn how to use the jump starter safely and correctly. If you encounter a problem, consult the manual.
The old saying “Practice makes perfect” applies to jump starters, too. After getting familiar with the contents of the instruction manual, set aside some time to try out the portable jump starter. Practicing will give you an idea of what to do when the real thing happens.
Charge your new jump starter immediately until its battery fills up completely. Portable car jump starters carry some charge from the factory, but you might need more power.
You can usually find the portable jump starter’s charging port on the device’s side. Most jump starters use a standard household plug.
You also have to familiarize yourself with the connectors of your portable jump starter. Some starters have permanently attached jump cables. Others have detachable cables that are easy to connect and disconnect to the device.
Attach the portable jump starter’s cables to their respective terminals. The red cable is for the positive post on the battery. Meanwhile, the black cable attaches to the negative post.
Most jump starters have an indicator light or a warning tone to tell you if you’ve connected the cables to the wrong terminals.
You must put the portable jump starter somewhere safe. Keep it away from parts that will begin moving once the engine starts successfully.
If your portable car jump starter has a power switch, hold off on turning it on. Once you’ve made sure the starter is hooked up to the right terminals, you can flip the power switch and turn it on.
With the portable jump starter connected properly, crank the engine over. If the issue was caused by a dead or depleted battery, the jump starter should fire up the engine.
However, if the engine doesn’t start despite the charge provided by the jump starter, you might have a different problem on your hands.
If your jump starter has a power switch, use it to turn off the device once the engine runs smoothly. Otherwise, you can proceed to the next part.
Disconnect the jumper cables from the battery terminals. Be careful to avoid accidental electric shocks.
There’s another use for the portable car jump starter: Charging devices. Some jump starters have USB ports that allow them to charge a compatible device. The ones equipped with an inverter can power small appliances.
If you don’t have a portable car jump starter in the trunk or back, consider getting one as soon as possible. It can get you out of a pinch.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.