How to choose a jump starters for a car
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1. Purpose of starting boosters
Jump starters are designed to start a car in emergency situations when the standard battery is unable to provide the necessary starting power. Many car enthusiasts still use stationary starting and charging devices for these purposes, which are essentially garage options and require 220V power supply. They are quite large and heavy, so it will be difficult to carry such equipment manually.
Modern boosters act as a mobile power bank with an optimal capacity, which is enough to start the engine. They are compact and lightweight, fit in a backpack, and some even in a pocket.
Such equipment is especially popular in winter at sub-zero temperatures, when the battery capacity drops sharply. A discharged battery is not uncommon when driving exclusively in the city, since the engine starts often, and the travel time is short, so the generator does not have time to restore the charge. If the service life of the standard battery is coming to an end, its capacity can significantly decrease, and when trying to start the engine, a quick discharge occurs. It is in such situations that a starting booster will become the best assistant for a motorist.
2. Compatibility of booster voltage and vehicle system
Almost all jump starters provide an output voltage of 12V, which is the standard for the vast majority of cars, crossovers, minibuses and even small trucks. A six-volt system is found only in motorcycles, but using a starting device in this case is impractical, since a moped or motorcycle can be easily started "by pushing". A voltage of 24V is relevant for buses, trucks, tractors and other heavy equipment, but to start their engines you will need a very powerful booster, the cost of which can be unreasonably high. Therefore, there are very few such models on the market. Some manufacturers offer combined options with the ability to switch the operating voltage, which is convenient for owners of their own fleet.
In general, when choosing, you need to pay attention to this parameter to ensure compatibility with your car.
3. Search filter of starting power for different types of cars and engines
In simple terms, starting power is the energy that the engine needs to start. This parameter is individual for each car, measured in amperes (A). It can be found on car batteries, but there it significantly exceeds the nominal value required by the engine.
When choosing a booster, the starting power is of the utmost importance, as it will determine the efficiency of the equipment in emergency situations. The amount of energy required to start the motor may vary, the main criteria are:
- Engine type;
- Engine capacity;
- Ambient temperature.
Average starting power values for gasoline engines:
- Up to 1.5 l: 250A;
- 1.5 – 2 l: 300A;
- 2 – 4 l: 400A;
- Over 4 l: 600A.
A diesel engine requires much more energy to start, due to its operating principle and design features. In such systems, fuel is ignited by compression, so more effort is needed to turn the shaft.
Average starting power values for diesel engines:
- Up to 1.5 l: 400A;
- 1.5 – 2 l: 600A;
- 2 – 4 l: 800A;
- Over 4 l: 1000A.
Thus, the recommended minimum for passenger cars will be a starting device with a power of 400A. This option will suit most motorists. For cars with an engine capacity of over 2 liters, consider boosters up to 600A. If the budget allows, you can buy a universal model of 800 - 1000 W, which guarantees the start of not only standard sedans, but also a confident start of the engine of a minibus and small trucks with a volume of 4 liters.
4. Built-in battery capacity
The capacity of the built-in battery is also very important when choosing and displays the number of attempts to start the engine before it is completely discharged. It is worth noting that the energy consumption during such procedures is quite large, so you should not save and buy starting equipment with an indicator below 6000 mAh. It is also important to consider that at negative temperatures, the efficiency of the built-in battery will be reduced, so it is better to take it with a reserve. The total number of attempts depends on the starting power, so one rule applies here - the larger the car, the more capacity is needed.
Boosters can be conditionally divided into 3 categories:
- The most popular solution is a capacity of 10,000 - 14,000 mAh. This volume is enough for at least 5 - 6 attempts to start (provided the starter works for no more than 5 seconds) an average passenger car even at -15⁰C. You can start a 2-liter crossover about 5 times, and engines with a larger volume (from 3 liters) can use up all the booster energy in 2 - 3 attempts.
- Capacious models of 15,000 - 20,000 mAh will be relevant if the car has problems with starting the engine. They will ensure a confident start of the system regardless of weather conditions, will provide a good reserve of attempts in case of malfunctions for any engine.
- The best jump starters with a battery of over 20,000 mAh guarantee complete freedom of action on the road. Their energy is enough for 15 or more starts of a car with an engine capacity of about 2 liters.
5. Useful functions
Starter boosters are versatile equipment due to a number of additional functions. Let's look at the most useful and popular ones:
- Charging gadgets. Many jump starters allow you to use your own battery to charge smartphones, tablets, wearable electronics, and even laptops. A kind of advanced power bank. For this, there are DC, USB A, or USB C connectors. Some manufacturers offer fast and wireless charging.
- Built-in flashlight. Present in many starting and charging devices. Facilitates equipment connection and repairs in the dark, provides backup lighting during camping. The use of an LED spotlight allows for high brightness with minimal battery consumption.
- Cigarette lighter socket. It is a separate output socket with a voltage of 12 V, into which the complete adapter for the cigarette lighter is connected. The function allows using the booster to power automotive equipment (refrigerator, recorder) during a trip or outdoor recreation.
- Built-in compressor. Rarely encountered due to the complexity of technical implementation and high cost, not to mention the dimensions and weight. The compressor's efficiency may not be sufficient to create pressure in the car's tires above 2.3 atm, but it will definitely cope with an inflatable mattress, bicycle and motorcycle wheels.
- Charging from the cigarette lighter. In this case, we are talking about an input connector that will allow you to connect the booster to the car's cigarette lighter using the appropriate cable to restore the battery charge after use during trips.
6. How to use the booster correctly
To use the starting booster, no special skills or tools are required. It is enough to open the hood and connect the supplied crocodile clips to the car terminals, taking into account the polarity (red to positive, black to negative). This can be done even in the complete absence of a standard battery.
Next, it remains to activate the booster using the corresponding button on the body and start the engine. The procedure for turning on the jump starter may differ depending on the model. In some cases, it is activated automatically when the contact wires are connected.
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