17.2 AH Jumpstart packs $73

[rat156]

http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/power-...essor-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]

Originally Posted by rat156

http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/power-...essor-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

3 dc outlets and an air compressor!

What more could a man ask for?

[iceman (Mike)]

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/per...station/119790

[doppler (Rick)]

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 (Roger)]

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 (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by rogerg

Don't people find buying a good quality battery on it's own is better than these cheap things?

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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 (Rick)]

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 (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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