jump starter / inverter combo

[decodancer]

I've been looking on Amazon for a portable power pack that will jump my van, charge my laptop and maybe run a fan if needed. I won't be doing much boondocking other than a night at Wally World or Flying J's now and then. Don't really want to set up a battery at this time, maybe down the road I will. My jumper cables got burned up in the truck fire so I thought one of these might cover all bases. Does anybody have any recommendations?

 

[Lucky mike]

I had one of these when I started out in my van....
http://www.impactbattery.com/energizer-400-jumpstart-combo-84031.html
wasnt top shelf but it did the job for my needs

That being said.....any thing with a motor will deplete a battery fast , so I would suggest you stop at radio shack and pick up a 12v muffin(computer)fan if it is for sleeping purposes...also keep in mind you can only recharge the battery in one of these so many times before you throw it away and buy another......adding a marine battery to your van is an easy task and cost about the same with more uses and a longer life....

 

[GrayWhale]

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html

They can be had for $35-40 with a coupon, regularly. Wouldn't be bad to even have 2 of them. They all need to be recharged ASAP after a jumpstart because that drains it heavily. 12v fan, probably not so bad.

 

[VanFan]

Decodancer,

We do not have a house battery and use one of these for our very minimal needs. The inverter is not very efficient, and will only run our 110 fan on low for a few hours. An oscillating 12 volt fan can be run a lot longer (sorry I can't be more specific). We have used the built in air compressor to top off tire pressure. It can also be used at the picnic table to power a fan and keep insects away, or taken to the shower shelter to power a 12 volt shower pump. (We use it to power interior vehicle lights and radio with our starter battery disconnected, but depending on your vehicle, that may be a bad idea.)

I kind of like 'em, but Lucky Mike is right--a second battery would provide a lot more power for the money and last longer, too. As GrayWhale said, you really need to keep it topped off. My first one died about 3-4 years of use and one hot summer when it was totally neglected.

If you decide to get one, be doubly sure that it has a port and cord that you can plug in to a 12 volt socket to recharge while driving. Many models do not include this.

Vickie

 

[decodancer]

I checked out the Centec and it does sound like what I want at a good price. I've been known to leave my lights on and there's not always someone to give me a jump. I may never use the inverter but I'd like to know I have the option if I can't make it to a campground. Thanks guys

 

[SoulRaven]

I checked out the Centec and it does sound like what I want at a good price. I've been known to leave my lights on and there's not always someone to give me a jump. I may never use the inverter but I'd like to know I have the option if I can't make it to a campground. Thanks guys

Greetings!

Get yourself one of the "Battery Saver" or "Battery Brain" type devices that will cut your battery off before it gets too low to start your vehicle.

Most of the battery exchange type places I've seen sell them and will install them for free. They've saved me many times.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[SternWake]

You really pay for the packaging with a jumper pack. The usually contain 12 or 18 amp hour batteries , agm.

the battery itself can be purchased for much less,

 

[Zil]

Using one of those jumper packs if your vehicle does not start right up, the pack goes too dead to crank again.

 

[decodancer]

Ok guys, you've convinced me to buy a deep cycle and inverter instead. Just curious, is there any way to start the van using my house battery?

 

[Lucky mike]

jumper cables

 

[WheelEstate USA]

jumper cables

What??? No hand crank???

 

[SoulRaven]

Ok guys, you've convinced me to buy a deep cycle and inverter instead. Just curious, is there any way to start the van using my house battery?

Greetings!

Why an inverter? If you run everything off 12v it is much more efficient...

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[Lucky mike]

a 400 watt inverter is cheap money and gets you basic 110 when you need it......other than that several 12 outlets and an led string for lighting and you are gold!!

 

[GrayWhale]

You should still buy that $37-40 power pack from Harbor Freight. It works great and can be lugged around to power 12v stuff outside of the van. I use it to power my electric carjacks (2), take off lug nuts with a 12v impact wrench, run a fan, etc.

It would be a pain to disconnect the big house battery and carry it to the engine bay every time you need a jumpstart and then bring it back inside to reconnect everything. If you have it wired permanently, then that's good.

This $40 pack has 2 SLA batteries inside. They cost about $50 for 2 of these replacement SLA's but w/o the powerpack shell, light, gauge, socket, etc.; shipped off of eBay so I have no idea how HB does it. And comes with an A/C plug for recharge and the ciggy connector to charge while driving. My first pack lasted over 7 years of pretty heavy use.

 

[surfer]

Any experiences with these type of power packs?
http://www.evine.com/Offer/Default.aspx?OfferCode=453-552

 

[SternWake]

The lithium jumper packs are good for quick high bursts of power, like to start an engine.

Many people equate this engine cranking ability with a large energy storage capacity, but this is not true, with lithium.

One of these jumper packs can power a laptop, about as long as the original laptop battery pack can.

There are dozens of these lithium jumper packs on the market now anywhere from 40 to 149$

I kind of want one for a portable 12v power source, but a 22$ AGM has more capacity, if a little less CCA.