Power Pack or Jump Pack Suggestions

M

MyOldBoat

Recruit
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5
I am looking into buying a jumpstarter pack to put on the boat for the piece of mind of being able to jump the battery just in case.

I know several boats carry these and I am curious to hear what brands and models people are using and their luck with them. I have used one similar to this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-EL2464-200-Watt-Power-Starter/dp/B001TZWE1S

Any suggestions to what you use, or have experience with is greatly appreciated!
 
rwidman

rwidman

Lieutenant
Joined
May 27, 2004
Messages
1,396
Re: Power Pack or Jump Pack Suggestions

Why not just have a dual battery system installed in the boat? It serves the same purpose, but adds a lot more such as extra power to run electronics and lighting.
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Power Pack or Jump Pack Suggestions

I've owned three of these of varying quality and will not own another one. They simply do not last. As suggested, install a dual battery swtich system and have a very versatile system.
 
M

MyOldBoat

Recruit
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5
Re: Power Pack or Jump Pack Suggestions

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will follow your advice and install a dual battery system.

Ideally, I would like to buy the BEP VSR battery switch that charges the primary battery and ounce it reaches full charge it charges the secondary battery. Here is the switch I am looking at: http://www.bepmarine.com/home-mainmenu-8/product-273/714-100a-single-engine-two-battery-banks

My question on this is, is this overkill and can I do something more basic? Maybe I am just being cheap and not wanting to pay over a $100 just on the switch alone. Is this the type of system you are running? Is this what you recommend?

Thanks again!
 
J

jhebert

Ensign
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
903
Re: Power Pack or Jump Pack Suggestions

"Power pack" is a bad name to use for a battery intended for giving jump-starts. In marine jargon a "power pack" is an electronic ignition module in OMC engines.
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Power Pack or Jump Pack Suggestions

How you implement a dual battery system depends on how you feel about a dual battery switch and if you understand what happens when you have the switch set to OFF, BAT 1, BAT 2 or BOTH. If that is unclear or you feel uncomfortable, then you need a VSR or similar system which is automatic. The most versatile system is the dual battery switch. The most automatic is a VSR. The cheapest is a dual battery switch with the VSR being more expensive.
 
B

brad614

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
158
Re: Power Pack or Jump Pack Suggestions

I run a nationwide emergency roadside service, and we do approximately 1000 automotive jumpstarts PER WEEK! Obviously, we have tested and gone through almost every jump pack there is on the market, and now only buy one. It is a "Solar ES5000". They also make an ES2500 which has slightly less CCA, but I would highly recommend these units. They are a bit pricey (up to $150) but you get what you pay for. I have one in my personal truck. It sat for over a year without being charged, and then fired my completely dead Ford F-350 with a 460 cid gas engine without a problem.
 
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