I'm thinking about getting a portable jump starter to take on my 306 Grady with twin 300's when fishing off shore. I go out 40+ miles and although I haven't had a problem, I'd feel better having one just in case. They come in many different amp sizes; I've seen 100 all the way to 1200. Not sure what size would be needed to jump these motors and if anyone has a brand that they have used and like. Any other feedback would be appreciated too.
Portable jump starter?
- Thread starter jaydub
- Start date
I bought the Allstart 556 Marine Battery Jump Starter with AC Inverter. From amazon? works great on the cars to. I dont have Shore power on the Voyager 248 so I use the inverter and other function to run I-pads and other items. Seam to be a good unit for the price. $157.00
http://www.amazon.com/Allstart-556-Batt ... B008FKJH38
http://www.amazon.com/Allstart-556-Batt ... B008FKJH38
I keep one on my boat, even though I have fresh batteries. I've yet to use it off shore but did need it once at the marina. I'd left my batt switches on and dc breakers on for a few weeks, after coming in late one night. (It's a dry stack marina). It started the engines fine but I found that what I needed to do was start one and let it warm up, shut it down, start the other and then restart the warm engine. It's on the boat, so I can't tell you the brand or capacity but it was the biggest one at the Tractor Supply store. There is a unit called "Microstart", that is supposed to be outstanding and even more compact. I'll probably replace mine with one of those. The one I have now will also start our diesel truck. Also charges a celphone and will run a laptop.
You have twins with separate battery systems. If you run the port engine on system 2 and starboard on system 1, you shouldn't have a problem with the batteries unless they are both weak. If they won't hold a charge, they should be replaced. System 1 also runs the house load , so if you drain it with the engine off, you can start port first then switch starboard to system 2 and it should start just fine. IMHO, the starter box is redundant and also needs to be kept charged or it would also not work when you need it.
They stay charged for weeks and we plug it into the cockpit outlet when we overnight. It is redundant until you really need it. In a perfect world where everything always does exactly what it's supposed to, you'd never need any kind of backup. As isolated as you can be out on the water, I like knowing it's there. I may never need it or I might get a fellow boater out of trouble with it. It's staying on my boat.
I was told by an electronics specialist that you should NOT switch battery systems while engines are running. That will create the possibility of blowing diodes in the alternators(s). UNLESS you have the proper battery switch which I believe he said is the Blu-Seas. Check with your local marine electronics shop to be sure.
Slacktime said:
I sort of agree with this and don't have one but there was one time where I wish did. It involved helping another boat on the water with a dead battery. I was returning to my slip around midnight and the guy flagged me over - he had killed his battery running his baitwell all night. First I went back to my slip and got jumper cables out of my car and went back and tried to jump him that way - no joy. To get him going, I ended up taking one of my batteries out and handing over to him. He started the engine with my battery, and then switched the cables over to his battery and he was good to go. It would have been great to have had one of these things to just hand to him. I wonder of the SeaTow boats carry these as part of their standard practice.
Fowl Hooked
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I used to carry a booster pack, one of the big heavy things normally carried in vehicles, never had to use it on the boat but it was a nice addition and would preclude having to wait for Boat US to come out just for a dead battery. I replaced that this year with one of the Micro-Start XP-1 packs, also haven't had to use it but for size and weight I think it'd be hard to beat. Whole thing comes in a zippered case with the battery a little larger than couple decks of playing cards and all sorts of connectors and adapters from jumper cables to about every portable device you can find. From all the reviews and reports it sounds capable of starting up to V-8 engines (but not diesels) multiple times on one charge. I keep the batteries topped off via the onboard charger all the time and still have my Boat US membership but will continue to take this with me when I go out.
Brett
Brett
UNLESS you have the proper battery switch which I believe he said is the Blu-Seas.
It's called a 'make before break' switch, all the usual suspects make one. I don't know if one that isn't is still manufactured ... :wink:
It's called a 'make before break' switch, all the usual suspects make one. I don't know if one that isn't is still manufactured ... :wink:
I have done it the way Slacktime stated with no issues. Of course leaving the dock with healthy batteries. One product we just purchased but have not used is the AGA jump start. Very cool in a small case with adapters for all kinds of stuff like laptops, phones etc. The one we have is rated at 16000 m AH, max current of 600 amps. It will jump a car battery but not sure about cranking a boat motor. A really nice kit in a nice case and light weight but like I said I have not tried it yet. If you would like to look at it on the website aga-powerusa.com. Any of the big ones I have had are o.k if they are deep cycle and you do not let it go dead. We go through them quite often at the shop and they are constantly left dead and don't last. I have had my personal one at home for years with never a problem but always kept with a charged.
I have the same unit Fowl Hooked has (Micro Start XP-1). I've used it dozens of times on boats, cars, trucks, etc. Very small, very light, very strong. No reason not to have it on board.
