Thread: Battery Jump Starter

Have used an ALDI lithium jump starter twice on a TDV6 2.7l. First time was to get home, second time was the following morning even after having had battery connected to a 240v charger overnight. Worked very well both times. It was December in Melbourne, so not a cold/hard start. Car battery was most likely just old and tired as opposed to actually stuffed.

The lithium ones are a huge advance over the old lead acid ones, particularly as they're about 100 times smaller - the one I bought from Costco is the size of a large mobile phone power bank and easily fits in the smaller D4 glovebox where it stays plugged in until needed. I've used it a couple of times to start the D4 when the old battery gave up the ghost. It also has a Qi charger, which is handy when my phone needs charging but I don't have the right cord with me.

Edit:

Brands? Mine are both a brand called "Type S" and appear to be pretty good. I suspect most brands are just re-branding items from the same factory.

Originally Posted by Arapiles

The lithium ones are a huge advance over the old lead acid ones, particularly as they're about 100 times smaller - the one I bought from Costco is the size of a large mobile phone power bank and easily fits in the smaller D4 glovebox where it stays plugged in until needed. I've used it a couple of times to start the D4 when the old battery gave up the ghost. It also has a Qi charger, which is handy when my phone needs charging but I don't have the right cord with me.

Edit:

Brands? Mine are both a brand called "Type S" and appear to be pretty good. I suspect most brands are just re-branding items from the same factory.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

I've seen solutions that look like a car battery wrapped in plastic and I've seen a few very slim line bits of kit that look good, which sound something like you purchased.

Cheers,

Kev.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

I've seen solutions that look like a car battery wrapped in plastic and I've seen a few very slim line bits of kit that look good, which sound something like you purchased.

Cheers,

Kev.

This is the sort of thing:

https://www.costco.com.au/Automotive...-12V/p/1433895

A bit bigger than a mobile phone battery pack.

Not sure why anyone would buy the old style ones.

Originally Posted by Arapiles

Not sure why anyone would buy the old style ones.

Reliability and capacity mainly.

The "old style ones" run around 12-18AH, so you can effectively use them as a mobile power source. The lead acid units are also far more robust for "when you really need it", whereas the lithium polymer units can and do "release the smoke". If you're carrying it for convenience the Lithium units are fine, but if you are carrying it for a "hail Mary" then you might want to look at something a bit more robust. Horses for courses.

For every couple of "I've carried it in the car for years and it's worked every time", there's a "The third time I hooked it up it went up in smoke". I've seen "lots" returned under warranty, or been presented with one reeking of magic smoke with a "do you think you can fix it?"

The lead acid units are a battery and jump cables. No electronics.

Check this YouTube channel out.



Which Car Jump Starter Is Best? Let's find out! NOCO GB40 vs Duracell vs Audew - YouTube