Jump start leads and/or air compressor? Advice needed please:-)

ampersand

Car has sulked since Sunday[for no me-blame reason that I can determine] and I have no-one to help with jump start.
I have noticed over some months that the locks can go on and off all by them selves, even when I'm not in the car. I lock and unlock it manually anyway - always have done as the automatic things have never reliably worked, even with new batteries.
That's an aside.

Have decided to buy either Mr T's 600 amp heavy duty leads ref. 214-7988

or this all-in-one: 214-8322 [ altho' power is 400 amp to max. 900]

or this:213-3888, which seems v. cheap, with decent recent reviews.
#
Neither charger includes cable length in specs and I like the useful extra of that 3.6m precised in the jump lead write-up.

By reviews, all the above seem to pass muster.
The car is an ancient[T reg.]Ford Focus estate and the Haynes manual does not give me any particular guidance.

Non-sneery thoughts would be very welcome - merci millefois from A Lady of Bus Pass vintage.

gilbert_and_sullivan

I can see no links there and the reference numbers mean nothing to me, but i assume you are considering jump leads and a jump pack.

Jump packs are great, but you tend to get what you pay for, you are better off with a dedicated semi-pro jump pack only, without all the fancy toys like inflators built in.
Cheaper ones will start petrol engines, but when faced with a Diesel worthy of its name will die.

Clarke stuff is normally pretty good.

ampersand

Many thanks, G&S.
My 'Mr T' mention goes for all item no.s cited. Petrol engine 1500 cc. Couldn't eliminate my name from the links, hence ccp's in post.
I have a Tesco Clubcard+ and factor in the double points gained.

AdrianC

At a guess, "Mr T" is Tesco?

So that's
http://www.tesco.com/direct/jump-starter-air-compressor-12ah/214-8322.prd
and
http://www.tesco.com/direct/jump-leads-600a-36m/214-7988.prd

I wouldn't be without a jump-box, but I tend to do a fair bit of mucking about with cars. If access is restricted (as it invariably is, when the damn things refuse to start), then they're essential. If you've not got another car handy, then they're essential.

Otherwise, I'd lean towards the leads. The battery in the jump-box needs to be kept topped up, which is a PITA if you only use it very infrequently.

But, personally, in your position, I'd put the money towards a new battery.
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/battery-type/063/

Joe_Horner

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I am the very model of a modern Major General
I've information vegetable, animal and mineral.
I know the Kings of England
I can quote the fights historical,
From Marathon to Waterloo
In order categorical..

Sorry, been trying to resist that for ages

Anyway, G&S is just about spot on. Jump packs are great (as long as you keep them charged) and far more convenient than finding some helpful motorist who's willing for you to connect your T reg Ford up to their 2 year old mobile computer which probably has a battery somewhere under all the covers.

As far as the leads (separate or connected to a pack) go, shorter is better because you'll lose a lot of power with longer ones unless you go for really high quality (and expensive) ones. Obviously they need to be long enough to reach your battery (from the pack or from another car) but you really don't want to be able to pplay skipping ropes with the extra in the middle!

ampersand

Joe, I'll see your very model of a modern Major General and Ruddigore you:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=when+the+high+noon&rlz=1C1AFAB_en&oq=when+the+high+noon&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.12825j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=gilbert+and+sullivan+when+the+night+wind+howls
-prob my fave and there's usually a lot of under-breath-not-quite joining in with the Chorus going on at most performances, not least par moi:-)
#
Avoid embarrassment.
Sit well away, I say.

AdrianC - not easy to cart to/on bus. Had new battery last year.

forgotmyname

Just buy a decent battery for the car and get the alternator checked. Jump leads are OK if you have a suitable vehicle to connect them to.

The cheap jump packs have crap batteries. So that units likely to be usless in 12 months.

ampersand

Thankyou fmn - pension is only income, so your advice is appreciated. Point is, car has to go before I can have it checked with my Fen boys, apx. 50 miles round journey.
I'm grateful for all replies, and will unsubscribe now.
Again, thankyou all.

Norman_Castle

"Car has sulked" and you think you need jump start leads or an air compressor?.

If you have re-subscribed, what is your weekly mileage?.

AdrianC

ampersand wrote: »

AdrianC - not easy to cart to/on bus. Had new battery last year.

That link included free delivery...

If the battery's new, then you've either got some kind of draw on the system - quick and relatively easy to find out, with a multimeter - or the alternator's not charging properly. Either way, you're really only addressing the symptom by junp-starting it, whether from a box or another car.

ampersand

Right - inadvertently back again.
Thankyou Adrian - yes, realised that any starting is no more than initial addressing, but at least I would then be mobile to [long trusted] Fen boys for full diagnostic.
NC - always variable, but it's my lifeline in a rural village, although when time allows, I use Bus Pass as much as poss. However, meandering sightseeing-type route doesn't always allow this, Also, I head to France quite often, way down South to old stamping ground, or hang about the North[brocante buying/selling here and there]sometimes with trailer. Also do London vintage market most weeks, another 180-200 mile round trip.