jump leads

[castaway]

Working in the assumption that you dont get something for nothing I was wondering how these things actually work... Am I just wasting my money having one onboard to help start my Perkins 4108 if the kids leave the lights on all night...is it really just a bike battery with a charger built in?? Cant see that doing much... regds Nick

[ccscott49]

Funny, I thought the fag lighter buit was for charging them and they had bigger leads for the actual starting bit. I wouldn't bother, theres no way one would start my donks! A recoil/spring starter is on the shopping list for me, especially the new composite construction ones, to stow away in a locker, well worth the money, if you are stupid enough to flatten all your batteries!

[Forbsie]

I'm sure that with the progress of gsm technology, my boat will soon text me on my mobile to let me know that the batteries are low.

...hang on, have I just given away a multi-million pound idea?

[castaway]

I was thinking about these recoil/wind up starters also. They did a little review in PBO or ST last month. Sounded good if you can mount it AS WELL as yr regular starter. Now about copper plating....Regds Nick

[ccscott49]

Don't want to mount it, then I would have to buy two! Takes me about 15 minutes to pull one starter off the starboardf engine, thats all I need, 1 engine, then I can charge batteries and start tuther!
Mind you, I would have to have a fairly major disaster on my hands, I have three battery banks (with solenoid interswitching), three alternators, two smart chargers, 4kw generator with separate battery, running two mains chargers! Still wierder things have happened at sea!!

[andyball]

some have jump leads, but yes some have only the cig.lighter plug .....and agreed,it's funny.