Battery starter pack

Saigon

Member
Messages
778
Based on experience not reviews, can anyone recommend a good battery starter pack, I have read so many conflicting reviews to date for packs ranging from £100 to £250. I would need it for starting a 5L V12 in emergencies while it’s away from home, due to battery drain.
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
I bought this from Halfords last year and is a very well built solid unit, used a few times on fairly high amperage flat batteries and never failed me, from jumping plant machinery to small trucks , I wanted to buy something from a high street outlet just in case it was naff, the gb70 is ample output but I think there is a larger gb150 as well

 

Saigon

Member
Messages
778
I would recommend this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAVPower-J..._89:RAVPower&rnid=1632651031&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I have an older model, a 600amp version and it got me out of a pickle 6 times on the classic car drive it day with my V8 Stag, when the car battery failed. Amazing piece of kit.
Thanks, definitely worth considering. But you can see what I meant about very conflicting reviews. Except for the guy who reviewed it but had not even used it, and the guy who liked the packaging. Is your older model the same make, all I know is that peak Amps is important along with the cranking Amps, seems to be what you pay for.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Yes RAVPower, in fact I have two, one in the Stag, and one in the Maser.
I'm sure other brands work well too, but have actually had to use them and they work.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
I've got an old Ravpower 18000mah jobbie I've had a few years. Really good and works well. Got it on an Amazon special deal at something like 68 quid I think at the time which is silly cheap.

It is getting a bit outdated compared to newer stuff now. Just treated myself to a new Noco GB150 which is excellent. Much more poke and much longer battery life also much better jump leads and setup. With a Halfords trade discount and an additional 10% AA Member discount it worked out to something like 100 quid+vat.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
I lied.....I wanted a GB150 but Halfords don't do them so I got the GB70. Web price is 170 with trade price 136. Then 10% AA off makes it 122.40 Inc vat.
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
I lied.....I wanted a GB150 but Halfords don't do them so I got the GB70. Web price is 170 with trade price 136. Then 10% AA off makes it 122.40 Inc vat.

bugger, I paid full price at 170, bloody good deal at £122, they really are good pieces of kit, I have seen other makes but they always look and feel so flimsy and delicate
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
RAVpower for me to, I have two and both are awesome started a perect dead Qp IV and and a dead 3.0D RR
 
Messages
6,001
First time use of Rav Power today
Let me explain
Went to the car this morning and flat battery. It has not had much use lately.
Put Lidl Battery Charger on it and it would not select 12V option
Put Aldi charger on and it showed error.
Put a meter across and showed 4V which is too low for the battery chargers to do their stuff apparently
With trepidation I put the Rav Power on it and the QPV started more or less straight away, phew
Usual dashboard lights
Put the Aldi charger on and it showed 11V
Still on charge and appears to be working normally.
Questions
I was not expecting the voltage to be 4V is this normal? Last time of use was a few days ago and only short runs and while the charger is on it registers 11V
Why did the Lidl and Aldi chargers not do the job?
The battery was new 4 years ago. Will it be ok once re charged?
We have had a lot of heavy (very) rain lately a possible short circuit for the battery to drain so quickly so low a voltage.
There may be more Q if I cannot get all the electrics to work properly again
Thank you
 

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,445
It may take at least two days for the battery to recharge via the Aldi jobbo if it can be recovered, so be patient

Eb
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
A voltage of only 4V does not sound very good, see what happens after it has been recharged.
Amazing things the jump packs though for their size.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
As ably demonstrated at the top of Buttertubs!
Indeed, 6 times in total during the day.
Battery test when back home indicated the battery couldn't deliver any significant current under load, so new battery now fitted :)
Just so surprised how a battery can suddenly fail, after two successful starts first thing in the morning.
Jump pack now essential carry in all cars!
 

Strad

Member
Messages
245
If your budget is up to £250, then for a bit less we bought a SIP Rescue Pac 3000 to jump Mrs B’s old smoker of a horsebox.
Think we paid just over £200 and is great bit of kit with 12v/24v options and two cigarette outlets which charge the whole family’s mobiles for a week’s camping (not doing that again....).
It was recommended by the truck garage and we are really pleased with it but it is heavy to carry around. It may be overkill for what you need but at least it won’t leave you wanting.
Good luck,
Mark.
 
Messages
6,001
Battery almost fully charged
Car started fine
Did reset procedure to clear alarms went well but 3 left
Go to dealer
Electrical system failure
Airbags failure
Can I reset these? So far little success.
 
Messages
6,001
Got rid of all warnings after disconnecting battery (-ive terminal) waiting 30 mins and reconnecting then going through the start up procedure again.
Still pouring down here so may take it out for a shake down tomorrow