Jump Starters: Things You Should Know About Them

A jump starter is a simple, yet innovative gadget that can be a lifesaver for today’s commuter. Do you think you know all about jump starters? Think again! A jump starter is also called a battery booster. And a battery booster can be an emergency charger. But a jump starter and an emergency charger are different from one another. Are you confused now? Well, don’t be because here’s the difference.
To jump start means to connect the battery of a vehicle to start the engine of another motor vehicle which has a weak battery using booster cable. But it is the duty of the alternator (the vehicle’s charging system) to re-charge the battery after it has been jump started. Just like regular car batteries, though they are smaller, jump starters use rechargeable 12 volt lead-acid batteries. They usually weigh between 20-30 pounds so you can easily carry them as you travel.

Why use a jump starter? Below are some of its applications:

• It’s the season finale of your favorite TV show, and when you switched the TV on, you blew a fuse and the lights went out.
• You went camping with your friends but you forgot to charge the rechargeable camping lantern, so you all ended up bumping into each other because it was so dark.
• You were so excited to go boating and fishing, but when you tried to start the boat’s engine, it didn’t start. Fishing off the pier just wasn’t that much fun.
• You’re happy to finally go home after a tiring work day, and when you turned the key in the ignition, the battery was dead.
• After a severe storm, you want to know what’s happening outside your immediate area, but you can’t turn the radio on because of the power outage.

You may find the situations above to be unlikely to occur, but this is the reality of life! You just never know when these emergencies will happen to you. That’s when you’ll need (and really appreciate!) a jump starter. They can start your car, operate lights, refrigerators, TV’s, small electronics and household appliances just when you need them most. Jump starters also offer a variety of features you can choose from, including:
• All jump starters can recharge weak batteries but not completely discharged batteries. This is the most important feature you should look for in a jump starter.
• Some brands have a polarity reversal alarm which allows the user to know if the connections of the jumper cables are wrong. This is vital if you want to avoid serious injury.
• They can be charged through an AC household receptacle and through the car’s DC connector. -the car’s DC connector is a part of a vehicle wherein electrical power for portable accessories used in or near an automobile is supplied.
• They can be conveniently left plugged in without causing the battery to be damaged because of its over-charge protection feature.
• Through the remaining charge indicator, the user can tell when to charge it.

Those are the jump starter’s standard features. However, there are other features that can be bought separately. These are helpful tools, but then of course it depends on your usage and budget.

• 5 volt USB socket
• 120 volt AC inverter
• Flashlight
-Excellent for emergency use and outdoor activities
• Radio
-Effective item for disaster preparedness
• Air compressor (tire inflator) -Great tool for frequent travelers

Jump starters are like emergency toolkits where you can add in all the items that can be most useful to you. Whether you are just enjoying a family travel outing or group camping trip; in the middle of a simple power outage or an unavoidable situation; or even after a fierce disaster, being prepared is always advisable.