May 31st, 2009

Having a dead car or truck battery is not only a nuisance, it can leave you stranded in dangerous situations, like an empty parking lot on a cold snowy night. In situations similar to these, having a portable jumpstarter is not just a good idea, it is a must have safety tool. Simply hook the jump starter to the vehicle’s battery, start it up, and drive away.

There are various power ratings available for portable jump starters. They start at about 200 cold cranking amps and go up to over 3,000 amps with the average being around 400 amps. The smaller boosters are perfect for small automobiles with 4 or 6 cylinder engines. In order to start V8 engines you would need more power. Most jump starters perform in 12 volt-mode but some can perform at 24 volts as well to boost diesel engines.

Basic jump starters come equipped with heavy duty cables and clamps to hook to your car’s battery and a power meter to show the charge level. Better jump starters have safety features such as sound alerts and reverse polarity detectors to prevent hooking them to the battery backwards as well as vehicle alternator voltage checks.

Jump starters can come with optional features such as built-in work lights to provide light during dark times, power outlets to provide power for small electronics and accessories, and DC charging cords to recharge them from your vehicle. Some jump starters even come with built-in air compressors for inflating tires, sports equipment, and more.

The low-end jump starters start out about $50 to $90. Black & Decker makes several of these models. The more features you add and the more amps you need, the price goes up. The high-end portable jump starters range from about $200 to over $400. Clore Automotive sells units this size. Even the higher priced models are well worth the investment when compared to the danger and uncertainty of a roadside emergency.

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