In the world of jump starting, there are several steps that, if adhered to, will keep your jump starter in good operating condition and support a long service life. Keeping these tips in mind could significantly extend the life of your jump starter. They also apply to virtually any brand of jump starter you own.
5 Tips for A Long Jump Starter Life
KEEP CHARGED!
Keep your jump starter charged and avoid letting the unit sit in a highly discharged state for any length of time. Remember, jump starter batteries have no memory issues and cannot be harmed by frequent charges, even when only slightly discharged.
RESPECT THE CYCLE
Every jump starter is subject to a duty cycle in which the vehicle can be cranked only so long before a period of rest is needed. For almost all jump starters, the recommended duty cycle is 6 seconds of cranking followed by 3 minutes of rest.
MIND THE TEMPS
Whenever possible, store your jump starter in a moderate temperature environment between 50°F and 70°F. Like vehicle batteries, exposure to extreme temperatures is detrimental to
jump starter batteries, both in the short term and long term.
DISCONNECT IT!
When you have completed a successful jump start, it is important to disconnect the jump starter from the now running vehicle as quickly as possible. Typical vehicle alternator output is much higher than the recommended recharge rate for a jump starter battery.
CLEAN THE CLAMPS
A battery in poor condition may have battery acid on the posts, so wiping down the clamps after jump starting a vehicle is good practice to keep the clamps from becoming corroded. A mixture of baking soda and water matched with a wire brush is effective on clamps that have high amounts of acid contact.
By Jim Ohara
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