Every Man Needs One Of These Car Battery Chargers In His Trunk
If you think about it, it's kind of amazing that millions of cars roam our streets every day, without incident. That's because it takes just one — literally one — tiny thing going wrong to render your dream ride into an expensive, 2,000 lb paper weight. Tires go flat. Oil degrades and needs replacing. Air filters clog. And those are just a few of the things you expect to go wrong. Throw in something like, say, a dead car battery, and you're looking at a terrible, no good day.
Dead batteries are particularly infuriating because in years past, it pretty much required the assistance of someone else. That meant waving down strangers and hoping there was enough room to safely get your vehicles nose-to-nose, and then you looking like a ham-handed dingus trying to apply the jumper cables in the proper order.
Thankfully, we now have portable, self-contained battery chargers that negate the need for another person to be privy to the embarrassing fact that you left the dome light on overnight. These are all compact, affordable and powerful enough to turn over the engine on a semi truck. Tucked into your trunk, they'll effectively replace jumper cables, though you'll still want to keep those around in case you forget to charge the charger (you're not very good with batteries, are you?).
How To Use A Battery Charger
First, understand what these are for, and what they aren't for. If you turn the key to start your engine, and it either struggles (and fails) to turn over or all you hear is a clicking sound, that's an indication that your battery may need a jump. But if you're driving along, and all of a sudden your dash lights flicker out and the car shuts off? Not only is that very scary (especially given the meaning of the word "power" in "power brakes" and "power steering"), but it's also a sign that you have a larger problem. Your alternator may be bad, or your battery may be well and truly dead — that is, beyond saving.
You'll want to follow the manufacturer's instructions on whichever model you go with, but using a portable battery charger is simple, and they all go something like this:
- Making sure the ignition is off, clamp the positive (red) charger cable to the positive (it's either red, marked with a "+," or says "positive") terminal on the battery.
- Clamp the black (negative) charger cable to an unpainted metal part of the engine compartment (usually along the frame). Unless otherwise instructed, do not connect it to the negative battery terminal. Bad things could happen.
- Power on the device, and let it do it's thing for 2-3 minutes.
- Attempt to start the car. If it starts, power off the device, and remove the clamps in reverse order. Let the car run for at least 10-15 minutes so the alternator can fully charge the battery.
Again, your best bet is to follow the manufacturer's instructions. But regardless, all of these chargers are reliable options when you're out of juice. You'll definitely want to make one part of your car emergency kit.
JACO BoostPro Car Battery Jump Starter
What sets the JACO jump starter apart from the rest is its versatility. It's powerful enough to jump up to a 6.5L gas engine, but eventually you start to notice the little things. The LED flashlight, for instance, or the included USB charging ports. On top of all that, it's small enough to fit in your glove box. It's also affordable enough that you'll want to keep one in each vehicle.
$69.99 at Amazon.com
Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp 12V Jump Starter
There are smaller chargers out there, but we like the JNC because it's rugged and has some extra features that put it over the edge. Among the most important is the large voltmeter, which provides a charging status for your battery. That's important, because you want to know sooner than later whether your battery just needs a jump or actually needs to be replaced. It also has a 12-volt DC outlet, meaning it'll charge anything you normally put in your car's cigarette lighter.
$127.10 at Amazon.com
Brightech SPIDER Car Jump Starter And Battery Charger
This one doesn't have quite the power of the others, but that's really only important if it's very cold or your battery is super dead. What it lacks in power, though, it makes up in value and size — this thing is literally smaller than some smartphones. That makes it ideal for taking on the go, as it fits easily into a backpack, messenger bag or purse. Because of its size, it also doubles as a compact portable charger for mobile devices.
$49.99 at Amazon.com
GOOLOO 700A Peak Car Jump Starter
With all the features you need in a portable charger (including an LED light, charge monitor and multiple ports), it's no surprise that the GOOLOO is an Amazon bestseller.
$79.99 at Amazon.com
Clore Automotive Booster PAC ES5000
A little larger than the ultra-compact models, but that's for a good reason: the 43" cables mean you don't need to be right on top of the battery the whole time in order to charge it. That helps mitigate any potential safety issues, but more importantly it's about convenience and your comfort.
$131.58 at Amazon.com
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