Portable Jump Starter for 12v source? (1 Viewer)

[woytovich]

Does anyone have any experience using one of those portable jump starters and a 12v power source while camping? I am particularly interested in running a few LOW amp LED lights for just a short time at night... while getting settled for bed for example... maybe 30 minutes max each might. Trips are never more than 5 nights.

Let's assume a draw OF 24 WATTS or so max (that's a LOT of LED light)...

(amps=24/12)

...so that is 2 amps x .5 hrs x 5 nights = 5 amp hours.... do I have that ABOUT right?

Mark

 

[nethergate]

I think it should be fine, i have one that is now crap and is no good for jump starting, but i take it camping anyway, i take my car battery off and run the stereo off it and it usually lasts about 2 days. So im sure a good one would power a few camp lights no worries

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Does anyone have any experience using one of those portable jump starters and a 12v power source while camping? I am particularly interested in running a few LOW amp LED lights for just a short time at night... while getting settled for bed for example... maybe 30 minutes max each might. Trips are never more than 5 nights.

Let's assume a draw OF 24 WATTS or so max (that's a LOT of LED light)...

(amps=24/12)

...so that is 2 amps x .5 hrs x 5 nights = 5 amp hours.... do I have that ABOUT right?

Mark

The batteries that come in jump boxes normally are 18-24 AH

 

[Rockets2000]

I have a Die Hard 1150 that I take with me. It has 12VDC, 120VAC, tire inflator, and usb port. This thing rocks and has paid for itself may times over!

 

[e9999]

I have a big HF one that works great. It can start my engine many times in a row. Will easily handle a bunch of lights for a while. See thread here someplace.

 

[Sangster]

why not use a regular LED lantern for the 30 mins needed to get ready for bed? If that's all it's used for, one set of batteries should last for 5 nights if only used for 30 mins each night.

 

[woytovich]

That's exactly what I did last time out - and in reality it is not 30 minutes but more like 5 - it worked fine.

The larger source will be nice as a convenience to have some hard mounted lighting... it can get crowded and cluttered in the little trailer pretty quickly and permanent lighting would eliminate a bit of that. Plus it is always there... no leaving the lantern out somewhere and having to find it later...

 

[cartercd]

Odyssey PC680 is small, can easily be used to start your truck, holds a charge for months without discharging, long servive life, and has 17ah. If you already own a set of jumper cables and a small inverter, then this is all you need.

 

[woytovich]

Certainly a more powerful solution ut at $145 for the battery... plus you still need a charger and a way to store and mount it safely. Then when you want to use it to jump start you have to transport to safely and deal with the cables...
I like the convenience of a jump pack and am fine with the lower ah.
Hech... if I need to recharge it I can just plug it in at any gas station or diner outlet for a few minutes... try that with a car battery and separate charger.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have a big HF one that works great. It can start my engine many times in a row. Will easily handle a bunch of lights for a while. See thread here someplace.

The HF unit uses a lead acid battery would much rather have a AGM battery if used inside.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have my eye on the Duracell power pack 600 with a monster 28AH 280cca battery. Anyone with experience with this unit?

 

[gsdog2]

I have this one I picked up from Sam's Club....$49.99......has 12v port and USB port (for charging cell phones and such.). Has a little air compressor in the back too. Very handy.

 

[woytovich]

Hi bro! is Duracell power a good one to use? will you suggest this to others? I really can't decide which jump starters to have.

What is your intended use? As a jump starter or as 12v power source? Is it for critical use or casual use?

From what i understand the cheap ones are... Cheap. If it HAS to work then look for a good one. These typically are expensive and do not have extras like compressors and usb ports. If you are using it for 12v power then an AGM battery is important so it can be discharged and recharged more reliably...

Or so i have come to believe after a bunch of research.

Mark

 

[e9999]

I am very happy with my HF one. 1200A peak. Have had it for years, going very strong.

I also would not bother with an air compressor built-in. Doubt those air compressors are very effective on tires. Air mattresses maybe.
USB port wise, you can find a $3 cig lighter USB port attachment that will work everywhere. I would get a portable pack that does have a 12V female port though.

 

[gsdog2]

Well I spent a small fortune on a dual battery system in my 80, so I probably wont using it for jump starting; and another small fortune in a CO2 bottle system, so using the little air compressor is out, BUT....just about everything electronic nowadays is USB. So if you like to retreat to your tent and use tablet or phone it is awesome. I use it to power a portable DVD player in the tent sometimes. Depending where we camp and I use a cot or a tent / air mattress set up, taking the unit into the tent to fill up the mattress using my Coleman 12v air blower is priceless. it's a lot easier to fill a mattress up inside a tent then dragging it to and from the rig. I recharge Streamlights with it at my side rather than at the rig. This one, for the price is very well built. I've had it 2 years now and taken it on over 20 outings, never had an issue. My wife is now using it to charge her cell phone at the couch (Picture) since the phones cord is short and a wall outlet is not within reach. I'm sure the Duracell one is kool also.