I've just purchased a 2000 watt jump starter for $175 . I have a little 3 cylinder 27hp diesel. It seems to me that these things are a total game changer with regards to the worry of always having a fully charged starter battery and the sometimes elaborate systems to ensure that. I'm feeling quite bulletproof in this regard now. Am I missing something, surely it can't be this easy ?

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sudsy said..
I've just purchased a 2000 watt jump starter for $175 . I have a little 3 cylinder 27hp diesel. It seems to me that these things are a total game changer with regards to the worry of always having a fully charged starter battery and the sometimes elaborate systems to ensure that. I'm feeling quite bulletproof in this regard now. Am I missing something, surely it can't be this easy ?

No. I am a bit the same. We jump started my brothers diesel 4wd with one. Game changer IMO.

Three points to keep in mind,Sudsy.
1. You need to keep these things well charged.
2. They have a use by date, which is really an unknown.
I mean that one day it will be strong and hold a charge and (after a few years) the next day it is dead.
3. It needs to be on the boa . Not in the shed under the bench.

It is amazing that they are so small and light isn't it.

gary

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garymalmgren said..
Three points to keep in mind,Sudsy.
1. You need to keep these things well charged.
2. They have a use by date, which is really an unknown.
I mean that one day it will be strong and hold a charge and (after a few years) the next day it is dead.
3. It needs to be on the boa . Not in the shed under the bench.

It is amazing that they are so small and light isn't it.

gary

Very true. They actually need to be in your kit bag, so when you go to the boat, they're with you. When you get home, if it's been used, you need to charge it. It also pays to charge it again at least once a month, regardless of use. I have one in my car, and it goes on all my motorcycle trips as well.

Once, I had a flat battery in my old Transporter, the alternator wasn't charging fully and I had to get home, so I connected it up and it ran the car for about 30km. Very handy piece of kit.

I don't even have two battery banks - used to but now just one bank, but putting one of these things trickle charging on the boat from the solar seems like a reasonable thing to do. Am I missing something here?

I have a small jump starter for our diesel Colorado. Used it to start the Corolla when it went flat and it fired up beautifully. I only need a motor bike one on my boat because I have a 25hp outboard. I tried a separate starting battery and that was a pain. Two engines far from each other meant I should have three batteries. Lots of cats do, but my boat is simple and light.

Thanks for all replies, seems they are as good as I thought . Obviously keep them charged, and as Gary says they have a lifespan. I reckon it's right up there with Gps and AIS as far as game changing.

You can start an engine with AA batteries or at least charge the battery

That belongs over in funny videos

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woko said..
That belongs over in funny videos

Yep except he's actually a brilliant electrical engineer masquerading as a clown