How to Choose Portable Emergency Jump Starters

cmfalcon · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-09, 02:24 PM

I am tired of having to ask for help in jumping my 04 Escalade. It apparently has some type of short that drains the battery very quickly if engine is not running and radio is on or lights or door open etc.. Just checking into portable jump starters and was wondering which type and how big (starting amps) it needs to be to start a dead lade.

caddydaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-09, 03:02 PM

A short, or a very weak battery? I'd have the battery tested first!

luxurylife33 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-09, 03:38 PM

I'd have the problem checked out first. Start with the battery, bring it to any auto parts store, they check it for free.

I have a black and decker VEC012CBD "start-it" 450 amps.... works fine on all the cars i've ever tried it on. charges quickly too (about 6 hours for a full charge, compared to most which are 12-16 hours). You can charge about 10 dead batteries with this monster, I use it in my shop everyday. Got it at Walmart for $75, and comes with a 2 year warranty. Try and get a name brand one, the ones you get at pep boys for $30-40 will not last very long (been there, done that).

cmfalcon · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-09, 04:29 PM

Thanks - I have had the battery tested and had the truck at a friends shop who pretty much tore it apart. I think he even had a Caddy tech run some tests but couldn't figure it out. It's fine as long as I drive it frequently but has died on several occasions even then with the radio on, back hatch open for a short period of time or interior lights on.

Saw those today at WalMart. Does the Black and Decker start a very dead truck and can you charge it in the car while driving?

Thanks again

luxurylife33 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-09, 05:11 PM

Yes, it will start a dead truck. I even started a Lexus RX330 with no battery in it. To charge it in the car you will have to buy a 12v charging cable separately or rig one up. All you get is a 110v charger, but I mended a 12v plug and dc plug to make the car charger version. Or you can simply mend to 12v plugs together and stick one in the 12v socket of the charger and the other end in the cars 12v socket.

ZaC851 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-09, 07:02 PM

I think its your battery

I just replaced my battery about 6 months ago, but for the year and a half prior to that...if I played the radio more than 5 minutes, or left a door open for just as long..my battery would kill in under 5 minutes. I had the battery checked as well as the alternator...checked out as fine...it did this for a year and a half that I had the truck. Finally I replaced the battery...now I play the radio 30-45 minutes while I wash it all the time. No issues..