Battery Powered Jump system usage

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Dec 15, 2011 | 04:00 PM

Zorfox

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Joined: Sep 2010

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Battery Powered Jump system usage

I've owned a few of those battery powered "jump boxes" over the years. I've always attached them and started the vehicle. I've never waited for the battery to charge like when using another vehicle. Today I jumped in my truck and nothing. I connected the booster and low and behold the radio starts playing (dead battery problem diagnosed lol). Long story short after attaching the "jump box" it wouldn't crank, the booster was 1/3 charged, so I plugged it into AC and left it attached to the truck. After about ten minutes I remembered I left the key on so I went to turn it off. I tried it and the engine rolled over like it was fully charged. This unit takes a LONG time to charge so 10 minutes is nothing (it was still barley charged). Have I been lucky all these years? Are you suppose to leave it attached for a few minutes before starting? The manual says to start it right away. I know this isn't Ford specific but feel kinda stupid if I've been using them wrong for years.

Dec 15, 2011 | 09:00 PM

blkF250HD

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Joined: Apr 2011

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From: Hartland, WI

Depends on which kind you have. I have a DSR ProSeries 2200 that I primarily use at work, and It's never failed to start a car. Granted, it was $200, but its designed for heavy daily use.

Dec 15, 2011 | 10:00 PM

CJM8515

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Joined: Jun 2010

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From: Freehold

^ have a similar unit, jump and carry 660 that I use at work. We never let them charge on a car, it will boost anything short of a heavily drained diesel truck. You might have added enough power due to charging the booster and it might have also charged the battery since it was hooked up.

Dec 15, 2011 | 11:32 PM

kevin206

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Joined: May 2010

Posts: 307

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From: McMinnville, TN

I just tried hooking it up for 10 minutes or so like you mentioned. It didn't help. It's a go or no-go for me. I have had weak batteries that needed the boost and I would boost, leave the booster hooked up, then drive to work or wherever before I unhooked it. I charged the battery and booster! That can't be safe.