Jump leads

mikey72

vikingaero wrote: »

Good car positive to Dead car positive.

Good car negative to Dead car metal earthing point on engine.

Whether you start the good car is neither here nor there. Just wait 60 seconds after connection to start the dead car.

It is after you've cranked the good battery to death as well.
Always have the good car running.

vikingaero

If the good car battery is in good health then there won't be a problem.

I've mainly given up on jump starting cars and bought a couple of those portable battery packs from Aldi/Maplins. The problem I find with jumping cars is that they are parked where it's hard to jump start them - on a main road in a parking bay with no free space or bonnet first into a parking space.

mikey72

vikingaero wrote: »

If the good car battery is in good health then there won't be a problem.

I've mainly given up on jump starting cars and bought a couple of those portable battery packs from Aldi/Maplins. The problem I find with jumping cars is that they are parked where it's hard to jump start them - on a main road in a parking bay with no free space or bonnet first into a parking space.

You do it your way, I'll keep the alternator running on the good car, then at least I can drive home even if the other car doesn't start.

vikingaero

mikey72 wrote: »

You do it your way, I'll keep the alternator running on the good car, then at least I can drive home even if the other car doesn't start.

But as I said, I mainly use these battery packs. :D

hubert_cumberdale

i many jumps can you get off those battery packs i always mean to get one but then i forget to buy one.

is it one jumper per charge and is it best to flatten them before recharging

vikingaero

It varies depending on how much help each battery needs. With these battery packs you connect them, leave them to transfer their electrickery magic for a minute or two and then start the car. I reckon you could start 3-4 cars before the pack power is too low - I've certainly started 3 cars without recharging (because I left it in the car and was too lazy to do so).

Flying-High_2

The Battery pack I'm using in work at the moment will do around 25 starts at 12V or around 10 24V starts before it gives up its a GysPack IRC.... One I have at home... Cheapy no name thing is dead after 4 12v starts.

mchale

hubert_cumberdale wrote: »

i many jumps can you get off those battery packs i always mean to get one but then i forget to buy one.

is it one jumper per charge and is it best to flatten them before recharging

I wouldn't waste your money buy a good set of "jump" leads not booster leads and you'll be able to jump anything

vikingaero

mchale wrote: »

I wouldn't waste your money buy a good set of "jump" leads not booster leads and you'll be able to jump anything

Unless it is parked front on against a wall on a slope with cars on either side...

Hammyman

hubert_cumberdale wrote: »

i would always put the negitive on first

NEVER EVER PUT THE NEGATIVE WIRE ON FIRST. If you do then as soon as the positive jump lead touches any part of either vehicle then you can create a short. By putting the positive on first, you can accidentally touch any part of the other vehicle and nothing will happen.

The earth lead must always be the first thing taken off and the last thing connected.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND ONE MOST PEOPLE FORGET

Use decent jump leads. If the diameter of the cable is less than 15mm - 10mm at a real push, you might as well use a wet cloth to jump start the car. Those crappy little things barely thicker than a mains cable you can buy in pound shops can't carry sufficient current to crank a car and all they'll do is sit there melting.