Battery booster pack

[Doctordestiny]

Does anyone use one of these things? They're 12V things for boosting a car in cold weather. Are they worth having? What is the advantage if there is usually another vehicle around to boost from?

[burnin_vernon]

If they are the same things that I am thinking of, they are good also for when the power goes out, as you can run lamps, computers, tv, etc, depending on how powerful unit you buy.

[Doctordestiny]

Yes, they are the same things. I've been thinking about a 700A pack. It'd be cool for camping. I hear they only last about three years.

[ken0042]

I have a 6 year old version of this guy:
Canadian Tire Link

The built in inverter died about 2 years ago, so the 120v portion no longer works.

The power pack has been used to boost an '88 Chev truck in the dead of winter, as well as my Grand Am with a completely dead battery. (Dead as in replaced the battery the next day.)

Keep in mind the limitations of the 120v power. You won't be able to run most motors; nor any heating device. But nothing beats being able to put on lights for a late night camping setup or cooking.

The only drawback to mine (and they may have corrected this) is that to charge it using AC power takes a full day; but it can be fully recharged in 90 minutes using 12 volt like a cigarette lighter. (Or as I did when I lost the chargers; a battery charger hooked up to the jumper cables.)