LiPo Jump Start Pack

[Mike B]

Has anyone got any real verdicts on LiPo Jump Start Packs?

I started looking at one to keep on the boat's Suzuki DF90A (for when I accidentally leave the nav lights on!) which I imagine most would be up to the job.

But then started thinking it could also double up in the car and campervan (2.5 Diesel Pathfinder and 2.4 Diesel Transit) but imagine that may be too bigger ask, although plenty state they are up to it.

Has anyone actual tried one on anything that big or bigger?

Cheers

Mike

[Phil M]

I have this one.

I've not used it to start anything but it recons up to 3l diesel and the Scuba magazine review was very favorable. I may let the tractor go flat at some point and test it. The battery is shagged anyway so won't make things worse. I use mine far more than I expected for charging the phone on the go and the torch isn't too bad either. My handheld radio is charged from a usb plug so it's good for that too if the engine dies and won't jump start and the main battery goes flat.

Phil M

[jyasaki]

Lithium Polymer batteries are getting a pretty ugly reputation here for fire risk. Not exactly ideal to carry on a boat.

I'd go with a Lithium Ion pack if possible.

jky

[Mike B]

Thanks Phil, would be interested to hear how it copes with starting the tractor when you get round to it.


JKY, Fair point on the LiPo vs Li ion. I use plenty of LiPo with remote control hele / quad copters and never had a problem, but I do treat them well.

Bouncing around in a boat may be a risk.

I think a lot of the issues I have seen with them is when they are in cheap Chinese kit with substandard / unprotected chargers. Which may also be the case with some of the jump start packs.


Anyone else tried one???

Cheers
Mike

[whisper]

I bought a small yellow one from the range. I've only used it for camping to charge the phone but these things are getting a good rep.

There is a ribber on the south coast who owns a tool shop and he was doing a special on them for boat owners.


www.customrib.co.uk

[whisper]

Originally Posted by whisper

I bought a small yellow one from the range. I've only used it for camping to charge the phone but these things are getting a good rep.

There is a ribber on the south coast who owns a tool shop and he was doing a special on them for boat owners.



www.customrib.co.uk

www.customrib.co.uk

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Mike B

JKY, Fair point on the LiPo vs Li ion. I use plenty of LiPo with remote control hele / quad copters and never had a problem, but I do treat them well.

Don't the instructions on those LiPo packs for RC say to charge outside? Don't the suppliers sell Nomex bags to charge them in? (I know in the US they do. Or at least did.)

There have been several house fires that have been attributed to LiPo batteries on those hoverboard thingies. The videos of LiPo packs being holed and erupting into flames is a little disconcerting, as well.

I'll give you that a lot of stuff is cheaper Chinese cut rate merchandise, but it seems to me that LiPo is a little too unstable for safety gear (especially when we're talking fire on a boat...)

jky

[ShinyShoe]

AFAIK the lipo house fires on hover boards were all charging faults on 'fake' imports

[Xk59D]

I own about 40 lipos with my hobby of flying big planes, helis. You need to treat them with as much respect as petrol round a fire. Mine are stored in army ammo boxes and always stored at 3.7v per cell. More or less than that for a few weeks will likely damage them(they puff up close to exploding or they lose their power) I wouldnt buy one for anything not weight depenant or without balance charging, no need to take the risk. Lithium phospate is safer in a can cell rather than lipo foil and alot more user friendly for joe bloggs.

I.e you need to make sure you never discharge to less than 20% capacity with lipo or 90% of the time it will puff or never recover.

The batts in powertools tends to be a123 or lithium phosphate. You can absolutely abuse those and they keep ticking. Yes they are heavier but for a jump pack who cares.

[Phil M]

If it puts people's mins at rest, the one i linked to its li-ion, not li-po so less likely to kill me!

Phil M

[Mike B]

Thanks all

[C-NUMB]

Wonder, would this type of battery pack be sufficient to run a 12v electric trailer winch, one lift ?

[cptsideways]

Well mine exploded & caught fire whilst on charge in the garage, luckily I was in the garage at the time otherwise I would'nt have a garage. Big big bang!!!

[Phil M]

Originally Posted by cptsideways

Well mine exploded & caught fire whilst on charge in the garage, luckily I was in the garage at the time otherwise I would'nt have a garage. Big big bang!!!

What make/type was it? Might help others avoid a similar situation if it is a dodgy design.

Phil M