Battery booster/power station

[Robox]

Just bought one of these ,for back up on the boat,from Makro for 18 pounds.
A bargain for that extra peace of mind

Rob C

[codprawn]

Just remember to keep it charged or they WILL die on you!!! Only lead acid as they all are - even though they are gel type.

Amazing to think that the lead acid battery was invented in the 1860s and there is STILL nothing to replace it!!!

[hard1]

Originally Posted by Robox

Just bought one of these ,for back up on the boat,from Makro for 18 pounds.
A bargain for that extra peace of mind

Rob C

Hi there, from my experience they will not tackle a larger motor - not enough CCA capacity, especially an Optimax. Good for emergency aux power and lighting etc. Snap- On make a suitable piece of kit though, but cost well over £100. Well worth it if you can afford it.

[codprawn]

Snap On must be one of the biggest rip offs around. Their core range of tools are great but all the other stuff is just made by other people with their name on it.

For example a mate of mine bought a micrometer and magnetic stand for a dial guage - stand was £85 and is exactly the same as my unbranded one that cost me £19. Also the micrometer was about 2x the price of my mitutoyo.

Even worse he paid £1100 for a mig welder that is just a rebadged import. Mine cost £350 and is actually a better product.

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Snap On must be one of the biggest rip offs around. Their core range of tools are great but all the other stuff is just made by other people with their name on it.

For example a mate of mine bought a micrometer and magnetic stand for a dial guage - stand was £85 and is exactly the same as my unbranded one that cost me £19. Also the micrometer was about 2x the price of my mitutoyo.

Even worse he paid £1100 for a mig welder that is just a rebadged import. Mine cost £350 and is actually a better product.

With you on that one! You are paying for the name. I had a ratchet that packed up, it was quite old but when the snap-on man came to my mates work I asked him to sort it out because of the life-time guarantee. He said it was a bit so I said it's got a life-time guarantee, I'm still alive so sort it out! He did!

[codprawn]

When I bought a load of sockets etc I ended up buying Halfords proffesional range. Despite the crap name they are actually very good quality - made by Britool and also have a lifetime guarantee!!!

Mechanics I know are very impressed with them and admit they are as good as the snap on stuff. Halford often have great offers on them - buy 2 sets get 1 free etc. I bought the rolling cabinet stand etc at the same time - saved a load of money on the lot.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by hard1

Hi there, from my experience they will not tackle a larger motor - not enough CCA capacity, especially an Optimax. Good for emergency aux power and lighting etc. Snap- On make a suitable piece of kit though, but cost well over £100. Well worth it if you can afford it.

Not all these boosters are the same - easy way to tell is by weight - heavier they are the better!!! My cheapy will easily start my 3.5 V8 but wont turn over a diesel. My mate bought a hefty one from Makro that will start a 3l diesel as well.

[Rogue Wave]

I am with Hard 1 on this it's been my experience that when you need them they aren't tough enough. I was trying to spin a Honda 130 at the time (urgghhh!) which was a 2.2 litre engine


Ive got a mate though, just the one, who says they are so good you can snap an Arc welder between the crocodile clips and build a Landie with em

My view is your money is better spent on a second battery

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

My view is your money is better spent on a second battery

itt gladduns mi fkin hart too heer dis.

TBW. dat noo battiry yew bort forr yorr bastud bote iz fukt. yew beter bi a sekund wan

gArf

[Robox]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

My view is your money is better spent on a second battery

You may well be right ,and i have to admit i have got my doubts, but at 18 pounds i thought it was worth a try .The boat is coming home for the winter soon so i will try it out then , best not to wait to find out its no good when you really need it

Rob C.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I am with Hard 1 on this it's been my experience that when you need them they aren't tough enough. I was trying to spin a Honda 130 at the time (urgghhh!) which was a 2.2 litre engine


Ive got a mate though, just the one, who says they are so good you can snap an Arc welder between the crocodile clips and build a Landie with em

My view is your money is better spent on a second battery

I am sure that if one is capable of starting a Land Cruiser or similar diesel engine then it should manage with an outboard - what C/R are they running for god's sake???

[Rogue Wave]