Getting stranded in a dark parking lot or on the side of the road, a common trope in horror movies, can be terrifying . Roadside assistance and cell service are not always available. If you want to avoid being the subject of a scary story, some basic preparation is necessary.
In addition to knowing how to change a tire and having emergency supplies in your vehicle, it’s a good idea to shop for and know how to use a portable jump starter (also known as a emergency jump starter or jump box ). With a charged jump starter in the trunk, you never have to worry about being stranded with a dead battery.
Typically, when you start a vehicle, you’ll need to connect the dead battery to a working electrical outlet. battery from a separate vehicle. But it can be scary and risky to depend on the charity of a stranger to jump your car. First of all, not many people will stop; Second, they may have ulterior motives.
However, with a portable jump start kit, you can get your car running again without relying on help from a stranger. To wrap up National Preparedness Month, let’s discuss how to use a jump starter.
Things to look for in a jump starter >
In addition to jumping a dead battery, portable jump starters also come with USB connections to charge all your devices, which is important for emergencies and keeping the kids entertained. Some are even equipped with built-in air compressors to fill tires that are low on air.
Here are some additional features to look out for:
- Spokes
- Emergency lighting
- 12 volt outlets/receptacles
- USB chargers
- Air compressors
- Inverters
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Today’s jump starters function as compact charging stations for batteries, phones, laptops and anything else that requires charging. Please note that this will drain battery power. Remember to periodically charge your jump starter.
Did your battery die?
There are many signs of a weak battery: dim lights, problems with electrical components , battery warning light, but if the engine won’t start at all, the battery is probably dead. This often happens when the headlights or the ignition switch are left on while the car is not running.
The telltale sign that you have a dead battery is if the car makes a clicking noise when you turn the ignition on. . , but it won’t start.
To make sure the battery is the culprit, check the headlights. If the headlights are dim or don’t come on at all, the battery is probably dead. Bright headlights usually mean the problem is something else.
If your radio, lights, windows, and other electrical components are working perfectly, then the problem is usually with the starter motor, not the battery.
Dead batteries still have some charge. If the dash lights don’t blink or come on, your problem could be with the ignition switch.
It’s pretty easy to tell if you have a dead alternator or dead battery. Try starting the car with jump leads and if the car fails again soon after, it’s probably the alternator.
Battery chargers vs. portable jump starters
It’s important Learn the difference between battery chargers and jump starters. Vehicle battery chargers typically plug into a household outlet (110-120 volts AC) to recharge a battery. They usually take several hours to two days to fully charge.
Although your vehicle’s alternator has the function of charging the battery, sometimes an additional battery charger is necessary. This may be important if you use your vehicle sporadically or only during certain times of the year. While they’re fairly useless in the event of a breakdown on the road, they can charge your battery when you get home, saving you money and hassle down the road.
Unlike a charger, jump starters Portable drum kits (also known as drum boosters, emergency boosters, battery jumpers, and jump boxes) can be used anywhere. They do not need to be plugged into a power outlet. They also do not recharge the battery, but instead provide the necessary amperage to crank the engine and start the vehicle. Once the engine is running, the alternator will charge the battery and power the electrical system.
We recommend having a portable jump starter so you can get to your destination safely, but a plug-in type at home. to fully recharge it. If you’re only going to have one, get a portable drive; however, a plug-in unit in the home can be useful and cost-effective.
Using a Jump Starter
First, make sure your jump starter is fully charged.
Auto starters rely on a battery as a power source. Therefore, they must be recharged periodically. Always recharge your jump starter/battery booster pack after each use and at least once every 6 months. These jump start batteries will lose their charge faster if left in the car during hot and cold weather. We recommend charging your battery booster packs before going on a long trip.
Usually an indicator light on the jump starter tells you when a recharge is needed. Simply insert the power adapter into an electrical outlet and charge the battery until the light indicates a full charge. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for specific information, including the meaning of the colors of the indicator lights (usually red/orange to charge and green to complete the charge).
What you need to use a jump starter:
- Protective clothing
- Eye protection
- Owner’s manual
- Battery
- Portable Jump Starter (also known as Jump Box)
- Jumper cables (usually permanently attached to the jump starter)
WARNING: Starting a car can be very dangerous. If you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing, call roadside assistance or towing. And always read your owner’s manual first!
The steps for starting a car with a jump starter are very similar to those for using traditional jump cables and a jump starter. Second Car:
- Always read your owner’s manual! In the highly unlikely event that your vehicle is positively grounded (very rare) , the jumpstart instructions will be different. Also, some manufacturers do not allow jump starts.
- Wear protective clothing and eye protection.
- Turn off the car and remove the keys from the ignition.
- Remove jewelry and never put your face near the battery.
- Make sure the vehicle is not near flammable liquids or gases, including anything on your hands.
- Keep charger as far from battery as cable lengths allow.
- Refer to owner’s manual for battery charger voltage. Make sure it matches the output voltage of the jump starter. This is normally a 12 volt supply.
- Identify the positive (look for the “P”, “POS” or “+” symbol) and negative (look for the “N”, “NEG ,” or the “-” symbol) on your car battery. Remove any excessive corrosion before connecting the cables.
- Identify the positive and negative clamps/clips on the jump starter. The charger clamp positive is red and the charger clamp negative is black.
- Make sure the starter is “off” before attempting to connect the jumper clamps to the vehicle’s battery.
- Do not allow the positive and negative clamps to come into contact with each other.
- With both the car and the jump starter are turned off, connect the jumper cables to the corresponding terminals.
- First connect the red clamp to the positive terminal of the battery.
- Then, connect Attach the black clamp to a clean, unpainted, non-moving metal part. Choose an area on the car chassis or engine block, away from the battery, carburetor, and fuel lines. Never use fuel lines, engine rocker covers, or the intake manifold as grounding points!
- Make sure the clamps are attached securely so they won’t come loose.
- Once the jump leads are securely in place, you can start the jump starter.
- You can now try to start the car.
- Do not start the engine for more than 5 seconds. If the car does not start after the first try, please wait about 2-3 minutes to try again. You may need a new battery if the car won’t start after 4-5 tries.
- If you have to readjust the jumper clamps, turn off the car and the jump starter first . Only then should you try to improve the connection.
- After the engine starts, turn the jump starter off.
- Next, remove the negative (black) clamp followed by the positive (red) clamp. ) clamp. Now safely stow the jump starter.
- You can remove those embarrassing goggles now.
- After removing the clamps, allow the vehicle to idle for several minutes before take off. . You can now return home safely.
- When you return home, it is important to recharge your jump starter as soon as possible. Most portable jump starters plug directly into an AC outlet. Recharge the unit for at least 3 hours. Some units will require 12-24 hours for a full charge.
- It is also a good idea to have your vehicle’s battery checked by a local battery center to see if a new battery is needed and how long it will last . it will probably last.
Again, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use.
How to charge a vehicle with a plug-in battery charger:
- Always read your owner’s manual and manufacturer’s instructions first!
- Turn off the car.
- Make sure the battery charger is turned off and unplugged.
- Connect the red clamp to the positive terminal.
- Connect the black clamp to grounded metal, the car chassis or engine block.
- Once both clamps are connected, plug the charger into an electrical outlet.
- Turn on the vehicle battery charger plug-in.
- The battery will begin to charge. Leave the charger on overnight.
- In the morning, turn off the charger.
- Start the car to see if it works.
- If the car still won’t comes on, the battery may need to be replaced.
When charging the battery, make sure it is not at too high a rate. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use. If the battery overheats, stop charging it until it has had time to cool down. Overheating the battery can be dangerous and damaging.
Be very careful and make sure the jumper cables are connected in the correct areas! There is a risk of electrocution and battery explosion. Red = positive. Black = negative.
Related Resources:
- The Proper Way to Jump Start a Vehicle
- Annual Maintenance Car Resolutions
- Gift Ideas for Car Lovers
- 17 Things to Have in the Car
If you have any questions, don’t Feel free to talk to one of our auto experts at Auto Simple:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277
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