Owen Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I need to buy a portable battery charger/starter, what sort of AMP ratings do I look for. Highest I've seen is 50amps, is that enough to crank a performance engine? I'm looking more for a starter than a charger, and I wanna be able to plug it into the socket on my wall in the garage. I'd rather buy this at the local Pepboys, etc on the way home tonight instead of mailorder. Thanks, Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAW Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I think I bought a 75amp starter/charger at Wal-Mart about 6 mos ago. DAW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I have one of those that has a 55 amp starting circuit plus regular charging settings. The only problem with those small units is the starting setting is only good for about 10 seconds of cranking, then it will thermally trip. That is just the way they are designed. If you want to spend mega bucks, get one that the auto lots use that you have to lug around on a dolly. Otherwise, buy a long set of jumpers or an extra battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 21, 2002 Author Share Posted June 21, 2002 DAW, does yours trip out like Dave's? And Dave, how many times can you use it to attempt to start? Will the unit shut down after a while, making me wait til it cools before I can use it again? Thanks, Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 You can hit the starter several (maybe 5) times before it will trip. It's all thermal. Once it does trip, you have to wait till it cools down. They are intended to give enough juice to start a car with a dead battery, that otherwise runs fine. It is not intended to be a 12 volt power supply that can replace a battery for trouble shooting a car that won't start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Hey Owen, I was just out shopping and saw that Harbor Freight has a 200 amp charger/starter for $150. It is one of those kind that is on wheels. Sams Club has a 110 amp compact unit for $45. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 21, 2002 Author Share Posted June 21, 2002 Cool, I stay away from HF tools (and craftsman) as much as possible if they have any moving parts in them Gonna stop by Pepboys on the way home and see what they got. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy 77zt Posted June 22, 2002 Share Posted June 22, 2002 check your starter amp draw-starter might be worn or the armature might dragging internally.newer model cars have permanent magnet starters that are smaller.lighter,have less current draw.both chevy and ford use the new type starters now and they bolt in place of old style heavy starter.if battery is in back the battery cables need to be thicker gauge because of wire loss.i usually run a ground cable to one of the starter bolts .no such thing as too many grounds.any of those starter/battery chrgers will kick off if used to start a balky car.at the dealership where i work we use batterys on carts.with the newer starters and a fully charged battery car should start easy.also make check ign timing-i have cracked starters with a motor kick back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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