[Vwdiesel] Boosters

[Roger Brown]

The one I have is pretty much as you describe on the inside.  I think mine (Harbor Freight 
model), is a 24AH gel cell inside plus charging electronics.  Mine lacks the LEDs but does 
have a big on/off switch that disconnects power from the cables.

Never used mine for jump starting, but do use it to run my camping fridge while camping 
(will power that for about 24 hours) and for inflating my air mattress for camping.

X2 on those solar trickle chargers, I have one on the dash in the VW, seems to do a decent 
job of keeping the battery up when it is not run for a while.


On 12/24/2010 2:06 PM, Val Christian wrote:
> Yep, battery boosters, and in jump start packs.
>
> Farmer Jim down the road, says he gets his 12 cyl combine going with one
> of them.  Debugging a car, he dropped on off for me to play with.
> Interstate 3000.  LEDs on the clamps, long, but not long enough clamps,
> polarity wrong warnings, a go/no-go meter for the onboard battery,
> a roadsize flasher, and so on.
>
> So I tried it.  Yep it boosted things, but I'm not sure that it was any
> different than a battery with jumper cables.  I returned it before I took
> it apart.
>
> So are these things something like a 20 Ah battery, and other than the
> onboard charger, the warning electronics, and the cute little LEDs in the
> jumper clamps, is there any fancy electronics?  Or is it simply a battery,
> with a switch, in parallel with your existing, presumably cranked-out battery?
>
> Anyone know?
>
> Diesel relevancy:  Eventually, your diesel will need a jump.  If the other
> engine has a 130+ Amp alternator, and you have 4 ga or better cables, your
> life is always easier.
>
> ps: Farmer Jim should consider a solar trickle charger for the combines
> parked outside, and a smart charger for the batteries inside.  Actually,
> I think one of the combines already has one...

-- 

   Roger