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Author Topic:   Miniature Jump Start Battery

Jefecinco posted 11-16-2014 07:20 PM ET (US)
Several months ago my old jump start battery would not take a charge so I began looking for a replacement. Over the years I've become enamored with AGM batteries so I sought a jump starter with AGM power. They are expensive and heavy as you would imagine.
While surfing on The Whole Truth web site I saw that several participants were touting a tiny jump starter. I don't recall the price but it was affordable and I bought one. It's a little larger than a smart phone. It's marketed by "Micro-Start Antigravity Batteries" It comes in s soft sided case about 9 X 7 inches and an inch thick. I think Lowes is now selling something similar.
To the point, I got to use it last week to jump start my 135 HP Verado. I was somewhat surprised but very delighted that it performed as advertised.
I'm pleased to have it and to not have all the bulk and weight of a regular jump start battery.
I'm trying to hold out for a sale on the Diehard Platinum Marine batteries.
Butch
kwik_wurk posted 11-16-2014 11:25 PM ET (US)
Nice product recommendation...
...For a great AGM starter battery I have always gone with Optima's, blue tops (which is considered a deep cycle)...I have gone through a lot of batteries in trying alternatives, and these by far have outperformed everything else (cheap lead acids, Odyssey AGM's, brand name lead acids, you name it) -- I have used them for Cummins 6BTA5.9's, an Onan gen, stern-thruster (3 in parallel), on the Montauk, and as house batteries on a bigger boat (that was expensive, but worth the charge they hold)...
Jefecinco posted 11-17-2014 09:34 AM ET (US)
I used Optimas in my Dauntless 16 and was pleased with them. I sold the Dauntless after ten years of ownership and the Optimas were going strong. I'm not sure when I installed the optimas but I believe I had used them for about eight years so it would have been around 2001 when I installed them.
I believe Optimas are now manufactured in China. I've recently read some negative reviews on them as well so I'm inclined to go with the DieHards from Sears. Based on your recommendation I'll do some more research before deciding.
Thanks,
Butch
Hoosier posted 11-18-2014 06:50 PM ET (US)
FWIW: I was at Walmart today and they have a Whistler brand AntiGavity clone for $59.95 that has the same specs as the bottom end AG: 200 amps, 400 peak. It comes with a cute carrying case and accessories for charging USB devices and your laptop and phones.
Jefecinco posted 11-18-2014 07:28 PM ET (US)
David,
IMO that's a great buy. I think I'll get one for Jane's car and my truck. Then I can get rid of the jumper cables and all the bulk involved.
Thanks for the tip.
Butch
Hoosier posted 11-19-2014 02:17 PM ET (US)
After thinking about it overnight, and doing some homework online, I decided to get one, and ended up getting two. I also found out that not all Walmarts have them. The unit has some impressive specs:
SPECIFICATIONS
SIZE: 130mm x 78mm x 24mm (5.1” x 3.0” x 0.9”)
WEIGHT: <1 lb. with silicone cover
BATTERY CAPACITY: 33300 mWh
OUTPUT: 5V=2.1A; 12V=HIGH CURRENT*
INPUT: 12V < 2A
FULL CHARGING TIME: 3-4 hours
*STARTING CURRENT: 200A
*PEAK CURRENT: 400A
OPERATING/STORAGE TEMP: -20oC to 60oC / (-4oF to 140oF) LIFETIME: >1000 Cycles
This FAQ really got my attention:
Q: How many times can a fully charged JUMP&GO start the vehicle?
A: 10-20 times depending on vehicle
It's too bad the SOS light doesn't have the required USCG approval legend. I'm so sick of having to carry flares....
Hoosier posted 11-25-2014 04:01 PM ET (US)
Field test report: my wife's Suburban was stone cold dead this morning.This little Jump and Go started it right up. The auto guy at Walmart said that the battery was too dead to test even after being driven 5 miles to get to the store...
Jefecinco posted 11-25-2014 05:50 PM ET (US)
David,
That's excellent. Less than a week later and you got to prove the value of your purchase.
Your portfolio must be doing very well given your forecasting ability.
Butch
Hoosier posted 11-25-2014 06:48 PM ET (US)
Yeah, and I bought a new $1K snowblower because I think it's going to be really white here this winter....and so far my nightmares are looking to be correct. Yeasterday we had 60 mph gusts and broke our all time 24 hour rainfall record, by a lot... if it'd been snow, it'd been measured in feet.
jimh posted 11-25-2014 09:54 PM ET (US)
I have the overwhelming feeling that David got that snow-blower at Menard's. Am I correct?
Hoosier posted 11-25-2014 10:21 PM ET (US)
Nope. Lowe's, a Troy-Bilt 3 Stage at 15% off during the Veteran's Day Sale...
Jefecinco posted 11-28-2014 09:46 AM ET (US)
None of the nine Walmarts in our area stock the "Jump and Go" power pack. If buying two a two-pack is available at a slight savings.
Buying on-line with in-store delivery shows an availability date of 5 December if ordered today, 28 November.
It must be a regional thing.
Butch

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Author	Topic: Miniature Jump Start Battery
Jefecinco	posted 11-16-2014 07:20 PM ET (US) Several months ago my old jump start battery would not take a charge so I began looking for a replacement. Over the years I've become enamored with AGM batteries so I sought a jump starter with AGM power. They are expensive and heavy as you would imagine. While surfing on The Whole Truth web site I saw that several participants were touting a tiny jump starter. I don't recall the price but it was affordable and I bought one. It's a little larger than a smart phone. It's marketed by "Micro-Start Antigravity Batteries" It comes in s soft sided case about 9 X 7 inches and an inch thick. I think Lowes is now selling something similar. To the point, I got to use it last week to jump start my 135 HP Verado. I was somewhat surprised but very delighted that it performed as advertised. I'm pleased to have it and to not have all the bulk and weight of a regular jump start battery. I'm trying to hold out for a sale on the Diehard Platinum Marine batteries. Butch
kwik_wurk	posted 11-16-2014 11:25 PM ET (US) Nice product recommendation... ...For a great AGM starter battery I have always gone with Optima's, blue tops (which is considered a deep cycle)...I have gone through a lot of batteries in trying alternatives, and these by far have outperformed everything else (cheap lead acids, Odyssey AGM's, brand name lead acids, you name it) -- I have used them for Cummins 6BTA5.9's, an Onan gen, stern-thruster (3 in parallel), on the Montauk, and as house batteries on a bigger boat (that was expensive, but worth the charge they hold)...
Jefecinco	posted 11-17-2014 09:34 AM ET (US) I used Optimas in my Dauntless 16 and was pleased with them. I sold the Dauntless after ten years of ownership and the Optimas were going strong. I'm not sure when I installed the optimas but I believe I had used them for about eight years so it would have been around 2001 when I installed them. I believe Optimas are now manufactured in China. I've recently read some negative reviews on them as well so I'm inclined to go with the DieHards from Sears. Based on your recommendation I'll do some more research before deciding. Thanks, Butch
Hoosier	posted 11-18-2014 06:50 PM ET (US) FWIW: I was at Walmart today and they have a Whistler brand AntiGavity clone for $59.95 that has the same specs as the bottom end AG: 200 amps, 400 peak. It comes with a cute carrying case and accessories for charging USB devices and your laptop and phones.
Jefecinco	posted 11-18-2014 07:28 PM ET (US) David, IMO that's a great buy. I think I'll get one for Jane's car and my truck. Then I can get rid of the jumper cables and all the bulk involved. Thanks for the tip. Butch
Hoosier	posted 11-19-2014 02:17 PM ET (US) After thinking about it overnight, and doing some homework online, I decided to get one, and ended up getting two. I also found out that not all Walmarts have them. The unit has some impressive specs: SPECIFICATIONS SIZE: 130mm x 78mm x 24mm (5.1” x 3.0” x 0.9”) WEIGHT: <1 lb. with silicone cover BATTERY CAPACITY: 33300 mWh OUTPUT: 5V=2.1A; 12V=HIGH CURRENT* INPUT: 12V < 2A FULL CHARGING TIME: 3-4 hours STARTING CURRENT: 200A PEAK CURRENT: 400A OPERATING/STORAGE TEMP: -20oC to 60oC / (-4oF to 140oF) LIFETIME: >1000 Cycles This FAQ really got my attention: Q: How many times can a fully charged JUMP&GO start the vehicle? A: 10-20 times depending on vehicle It's too bad the SOS light doesn't have the required USCG approval legend. I'm so sick of having to carry flares....
Hoosier	posted 11-25-2014 04:01 PM ET (US) Field test report: my wife's Suburban was stone cold dead this morning.This little Jump and Go started it right up. The auto guy at Walmart said that the battery was too dead to test even after being driven 5 miles to get to the store...
Jefecinco	posted 11-25-2014 05:50 PM ET (US) David, That's excellent. Less than a week later and you got to prove the value of your purchase. Your portfolio must be doing very well given your forecasting ability. Butch
Hoosier	posted 11-25-2014 06:48 PM ET (US) Yeah, and I bought a new $1K snowblower because I think it's going to be really white here this winter....and so far my nightmares are looking to be correct. Yeasterday we had 60 mph gusts and broke our all time 24 hour rainfall record, by a lot... if it'd been snow, it'd been measured in feet.
jimh	posted 11-25-2014 09:54 PM ET (US) I have the overwhelming feeling that David got that snow-blower at Menard's. Am I correct?
Hoosier	posted 11-25-2014 10:21 PM ET (US) Nope. Lowe's, a Troy-Bilt 3 Stage at 15% off during the Veteran's Day Sale...
Jefecinco	posted 11-28-2014 09:46 AM ET (US) None of the nine Walmarts in our area stock the "Jump and Go" power pack. If buying two a two-pack is available at a slight savings. Buying on-line with in-store delivery shows an availability date of 5 December if ordered today, 28 November. It must be a regional thing. Butch