Recommend a decent portable car battery starter

[Accy cyclist]

Bloody sick of this freezing weather. I dread the thought of attempting to fire up my diesel car in these temperatures. Yes i wait till the glow plug red light goes out before turning the ignition key and so far so good,but i'd feel better if i had some back up if the battery goes flat in trying to turn the engine on. I can't take my battery out to charge it with a battery charger as i just cannot carry a car battery from the car to my flat (about 50 yards) these days and i can't park the car outside then wire the battery up to a charger in my flat,as there are double yellows outside,so a few hours parked up on them is a big risk. I've found this on fleabay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-Portable-Car-Jump-Starter-Air-Compressor-Battery-Start-Booster-Charger-Leads/131666306315?epid=13035195509&_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item1ea7ec650b:g:B1UAAOSwbl9f8xyH&amdata=enc:AQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%2Fn%2BzU5L90Z278x5ickkBUIiHwYv5YgVss0WaiENzxmcRVClYQuvl8lA5eJZknzt5zHvj%2Fe1q3Lab0rU0OgTYofJgVxjvXXj%2FHDMgrNtor01Qhv
What do you reckon...good or not so good?🤔

 

[Deleted member 26715]

If you have concerns just put a new battery on the car, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YUASA-SM...616536&hash=item2cd93aa673:g:ATEAAOSwSBddcNV- or even better https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yuasa-YB...124039&hash=item2f5075d751:g:s-oAAOSwGLVf0Kx6

 

[Accy cyclist]

If you have concerns just put a new battery on the car, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YUASA-SM...616536&hash=item2cd93aa673:g:ATEAAOSwSBddcNV- or even better https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yuasa-YB...124039&hash=item2f5075d751:g:s-oAAOSwGLVf0Kx6

The one that's on is only a year old. I just do not trust diesels in icy weather!

 

[Deleted member 26715]

The one that's on is only a year old. I just do not trust diesels in icy weather!

How old is it? when were the glowplugs last changed?

 

[Accy cyclist]

How old is it? when were the glowplugs last changed?

do you mean how old is the car? As for the glow plugs,i don't know.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

That’s not what I’d call portable when you can get kit that’s smaller than a paperback book that’ll do the job.

Search for “Arteck 2000a Peak Portable Car Jump Starter up to 9.0l Gas or 8.0l Diesel Engine” and you’ll get a lot of power in a very small package, less powerful ones are available if that’s overkill for your engine. I got mine on Amazon for £60 but a search on there shows nothing now. Try ebay or similar.

 

[Accy cyclist]

That’s not what I’d call portable when you can get kit that’s smaller than a paperback book that’ll do the job.

Search for “Arteck 2000a Peak Portable Car Jump Starter up to 9.0l Gas or 8.0l Diesel Engine” and you’ll get a lot of power in a very small package, less powerful ones are available if that’s overkill for your engine. I got mine on Amazon for £60 but a search on there shows nothing now. Try ebay or similar.

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I presume you charge those things up in a household socket?
I turn the ignition and it's like a power surge sometimes! The clock loses it's time and the red fuel warning light comes on. If it doesn't fire up first attempt,that's it,the battery is then flat!

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I presume you charge those things up in a household socket?
I turn the ignition and it's like a power surge sometimes! The clock loses it's time and the red fuel warning light comes on. If it doesn't fire up first attempt,that's it,the battery is then flat!

Your battery is foobar'd if that is the case, but that's not what you said in your first post, but if it's only 12 month old take it back, even the worst cheapest batteries have 12 months warranty

 

[dodgy]

Buying a battery charger to recharge a poorly conditioned battery is a bit like selling your TV to afford a video recorder.

 

[Sharky]

If really worried, join one of the AARACGREENFLAG services with homestart. They'll get you going.

 

[fossyant]

I assume the car is getting little use ? Sounds like a duff battery.

 

[MntnMan62]

We have one of these in both of our cars. I've used them on several occassions and it's saved my butt as well as some of my neighbors. Every few months I top off the charge so I know there is enough charge to get me going.

https://www.costco.com/type-s-12v-j...ah-portable-power-bank.product.100681300.html

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I presume you charge those things up in a household socket

Yes, and you can use it to power all manner of things via its USB ports.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

A second car to jumpstart the first?

 

[johnnyb47]

Batteries on modern cars usually behave differently as they did on old cars. Years ago a failing battery would give you some kind of notice or hint it was coming to the end of it's life. It would just turn the starter motor slower and slower before giving up.
Modern cars, with all there electronic gadgetry tend to stop a failing battery at a bat of an eye. One day they battery will appear fine but if its borderline and the voltage drops below a certain level the cars engine management system will stop it dead in its tracks to protect the delicate electronics.
I use volt meter that's constantly plugged into the cigarette lighter to monitor the battery. It's small and neat and gives you a general idea of if everything is fine..