17.2 AH Jumpstart packs $73

[rat156]

http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/power-station-air-compressor-17-2-ah/

$63 + $10 shipping. They look quite large, but should run quite a lot of gear for a fair amount of time.

Cheers
Stuart

[wulfgar]

3 dc outlets and an air compressor!

What more could a man ask for?

[iceman]

Tempting!

[OICURMT]

$55.95 + shipping. I only see one 12V sockets
http://www.soldsmart.com.au/l3.aspx?goods=BCHAR1

<Late EDIT> If you have a Kmart near by... http://shop.kmart.com.au/product/performer-900-amp-powerstation/119790

[doppler]

Great thing to have but I would seriously think of buying locally, anything with a built in battery is prone to manufacturing faults that you have no control over. I have a supercheap 600 amp jumpstarter but it would not fully recharge again after the first use, so I just swapped it over. The replacement has been great for the past 12 months. I use it with a power invertor to run my 240v telescope motor drive and to charge mobile phones and laptops during power failures or out in the field. Mine was $39 but I will definatley get a bigger one next time.

[rogerg]

Don't people find buying a good quality battery on it's own is better than these cheap things? I see people having to replace these things often, I think because the batteries or something else about them are poor quality so shorten their life. I had one for a short while until it became useless.

[Larryp]

I agree, Roger. I usually buy an 18-20 amp/hour agm deep cycle battery for similar money, but they last for years if properly cared for.

[Astro_Bot]

Yes, I do. Mine cost 4 times as much but then it has 4 times the capacity and it's an AGM deep-cycle battery from a reputable supplier (they have a contract to supply the ADF with the same thing).

[wulfgar]

Well, once the cheap battery is finished. You might find the case can screw apart and you can fit a suitable but better quality battery.

I got a smaller jump starter from dick smith years ago, which oddly came with two DC sockets. When the battery died, I replaced it.

[doppler]

I think it is mainly portability and multifunction that makes these popular. I can sit mine on the back seat of the car and recharge it through the cigarette socket. I think like any battery you have maintain the charge/discharge cycle or they will fail especially through lack of use. Mine has a maintenance charge mode to keep it topped up when it is not being used.

[Larryp]

I built my own battery box with carry handle and 2 fused cigarette lighter sockets,so I wouldn't need the case:)

[rogerg]

Yes, understood. I can see the attractiveness (which is why I once bought one).