need4speed Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Have been looking to get 1 of these before Winter approaches and thought I'd start putting some feelers out for opinions.. http://www.flatdoguk.com/xs%2Dpowerpack%2Dmulti%2Dfunction%2Djump%2Dstarter%7E1534 A little concerned about the "Britpart" name associated with it. But then surely Britpart don't manufacture stuff like that themselves? Anyone had any experience, or have found a better one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 There was a post about these earlier this year, will see if I can find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inigo Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Robbie (who seems to know his stuff) over on disco3.co.uk did a comprehensive test on a similar thing (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic122708.html?highlight=jump+pack) and seemed to think it was OK. I previously had a Halfords charger/power pack which never managed to hold charge long enough to be useful. I guess all batteries have a lifespan. Thrown the thing away now and thinking of a replacement. I'd be interested to hear which way you go in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Dont see these or any such like being much cop , for a start you never see AA etc using them , they might do if your battery is only slightly down , if they could store much in them why have we got great big black cubes as batteries in the vehicle . JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Not really. If you watch the video clip of it being tested on Flatdogs website, the FL battery is so flat it doesn't even click the solenoid.. Yet once the power pack is connected it starts easily.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW8IZR Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 For sure the Recovery guys use them, even here in winter at -20 they work a treat..... There are a few caveats First you need to be using them a lot to keep the cells charged. No use leaving it in the truck for a year and then expecting it to work. Second, keep it in the cab so it's not cold when you store / charge it. Third, they are for starting vehicles that work but have a flat battery. No use trying to start an old dog that hardly starts anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris113 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 There is quite a comprehensive review in this month's LRO mag, they seem to rate it highly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 Thanks for that. I tend not to buy the magazines any more but that sounds like it might be worth a read.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Going back to the original question, of course Britpart do not manufacture them, they do not manufacture anything. Everything Britpart sells is made by the cheapest possible supplier - which is why their quality can be a little unpredictable. ...OK, usually predictable. It was me that asked about these earlier in the year, I found it hard to believe that such a small thing could start a car. I remain constantly astonished by technology. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 A couple of the technicians at work had bought these tiny smart jump packs, they seemed like the best thing ever until the first fire. They are banned now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 Did someone leave it switched on with clips uncovered...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I don't have any further details I'm afraid, I shall ask some of the techs Monday if I get chance. Would be good to know what brand they were Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 a friend has one bought via ebay, don't know what make it is but it was easily able to start his 3 litre diesel Trooper which had a virtually flat battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoggyN Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 So what is the advantage over a lead acid battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Compact Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW8IZR Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 These are made up of lots of low voltage cells in series - the (faulty) one I have here in bits is 24 x 1.5v AA sized Li-ion batteries in series. Whilst the cells are unmarked they are most likely 1 or 2 A/H so thats something like 24 to 48 A/H in a pack 3 inches square. A similar capacity SLA battery would be a little bigger than a golf cart battery. The risk is that some on the market have no way of limiting the terminal voltage - if the regulator in this one failed then the terminal volts would be more than 30 volts. This would only be limited by the device its charging. Realistically if the car battery is in good health it will clamp it to about 14v until the cell pack is about flat but should the battery be disconnected or faulty your ecu or your radio may not be happy. This one bought by a friend from e-bay is quite poor quality - I've never heard of a problem with the better ones. Whether the britpart ones are any better than their oil seals is anyone’s guess. (edit) the above mentioned golf cart battery is of course 13.8V and is a safer bet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 The one that was tested in Inigo's link above seemed to be very good quality indeed. Appeared to be made for the Russian market and had very high quality clips and the cable was very flexible down to low temperatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickwilliams Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 These are made up of lots of low voltage cells in series - the (faulty) one I have here in bits is 24 x 1.5v AA sized Li-ion batteries in series. Whilst the cells are unmarked they are most likely 1 or 2 A/H so thats something like 24 to 48 A/H in a pack 3 inches square. A similar capacity SLA battery would be a little bigger than a golf cart battery. Your understanding of the capacity of a series connected stack of cells is incorrect. 10 x 1.5V 2Ah cells connected in series make a 15V 2Ah battery, not a 15V 20Ah battery. Watt hours (current x voltage x time) is a better measurement for capacity when comparing differing battery technologies. Here is the earlier thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 Interestingly you have to really dig to find the capacity of the Noco one on the site http://www.geniuschargers.com/boost/ it states 24Wh = 2000mAh compared to the XS PowerPack of 18000mAh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW8IZR Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 Your understanding of the capacity of a series connected stack of cells is incorrect. 10 x 1.5V 2Ah cells connected in series make a 15V 2Ah battery, not a 15V 20Ah battery. Watt hours (current x voltage x time) is a better measurement for capacity when comparing differing battery technologies. Here is the earlier thread. No my understanding is fine and I've no idea what I was thinking when typing that part of the post. Apologies for the incorrect information - it wasnt meant to mislead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 And as a side note, don't try and take the Xs PowerPack on a plane as it exceeds the 100wh and 160wh limits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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