Your car’s battery is one of the most important parts of the vehicle. It is easy to forget about it when it is in good operating condition and hard to forget when it is not. A dead battery can leave you sitting out in the cold until a tow truck shows up to give it you a jump.
It may be hours until one reaches you, especially in bitterly cold winter weather. If you do not relish the idea of sitting in an icy vehicle for several hours, it makes good sense to include a portable battery pack in your vehicle’s emergency kit.
In addition to offering an emergency source of starting power, most of these devices come equipped with jumper cables that are compatible with the battery pack’s voltage. What this means for a stranded motorist is never suffering the frustration of not having the right cables when help finally arrives.
These emergency power supplies are available in a number of sizes, ranging from a device almost small enough to fit in your pocket to other weighing up to 16 pounds. No matter which size you choose, there is one that will ride comfortably in your car’s trunk or cargo area until you need it.
The smaller compact ones are designed around lithium battery technology, lighter than lead acid types and just as reliable. With their more advanced design, the lithium units often provide additional features not usually found in the lead acid ones. Many offer built-in USB charging ports, making them ideal for recharging cell phones, smart phones and other small electronic devices. Some even include a flashlight for working in the dark.
While a portable vehicle jump starter is a good addition to your emergency gear, it does require regular testing and maintenance. Many boast that they can hold a charge for a full year or more and provide up to 20 jump starts per charge, but it is definitely a good idea to top off the charge before setting off on a long road trip. Charging one only requires plugging it into an AC outlet for a few hours, and most are equipped with safety devices for the prevention of overcharging and other mishaps.
Start Pac is one of several companies that offer these essential automotive emergency devices. Having one in your car can save time and money on a cold dark night.