Clarkes Jumpstart problem

If it's died, the symptom is that it goes from flat to fully charged in far too short a time (often less than a minute), and then it goes flat as soon as you try taking any significant current from it.

I have a CPC one bought many years ago, which seems to be much higher quality than the ones you can buy today. When its battery died just recently, I bought a new (deep discharge type) battery for it, even though that cost more than buying a new cheap jumpstarter.

You should be able to open the case; what's inside will be a motorcyle-style sealed lead-acid (or gel) battery. Replacing the battery should be a doddle.

/If it's died, the symptom is that it goes from flat to fully charged /in far too short a time (often less than a minute), and then it goes /flat as soon as you try taking any significant current from it.

It goes from flat to flat in 0.5 sec - in other words, it won't charge at all.

/You should be able to open the case; what's inside will be a motorcyle-style /sealed lead-acid (or gel) battery. Replacing the battery should be a /doddle.

I'm still not sure if it's:- a dead cell, a dead charger, a fault with the contact.

Well open it up and have a poke around with a multimeter,

We havent got IP x-ray vision unfortunately, so can't diagnose it further.

Stick the multimeter on the battery contacts while its trying to charge. That should tell us a fair bit

NT

/If it's died, the symptom is that it goes from flat to fully charged /in far too short a time (often less than a minute), and then it goes /flat as soon as you try taking any significant current from it.

Update: Yesterday I phoned their Tech Support. It seems that these old Jumpstart/Batteries, don't like periods of long inactivity. I hadn't used mine for 6 months. There are 2 methods of revitalising the 910 (and other models):-

Method 1. Switch on the light, then start charging. This tricks the JS and stops the relay stopping the charge. Obviously, it's very slow due to the drain from the light.

Method 2. Best method. Don't switch on the light, but simply connect a battery charger to the Jumpstarter's leads - red on red and black on black. Dunno why I didn't try this myself? Anyhoo the JS has been saved from the infill site.

If it's lead acid, it's not going to be worried about a few months of not being used. Unless left discharged.

Does this mean youve diagnosed the fault, and its the battery?

NT

/If it's lead acid, it's not going to be worried about a few months of not /being used. Unless left discharged.

Firstly I don't regard 6 months as "a few months".

When I used the battery 6 months ago, the indicator showed that it didn't need charging.

After 6 months, the indicator did show that it needed charging.

Although the lamp appeared weak, the battery was not fully discharged.

After connecting the Clarkes charger, the charging light extinguished after a few seconds.

/Does this mean youve diagnosed the fault, and its the battery? / / /NT

All I'm trying to do is help anyone who has similar problems with a Jump-start type battery.

The Tech Support guy at Clarkes 0208 9887400 was aware that I'm not technically minded and suggested 2 ways of revitalising the JS battery. I tried method 2 and it worked.

I think it's clear from my post, that it was Clarkes TS who diagnosed the fault. If it's critical to this thread, perhaps someone familiar with electronics, could contact Clarkes,

Ok then. 6 months or more. Lead acid in good condition have the slowest rate of self discharge of any rechargeable types.

Right.

Right.

Then it has one or more failed cells. Lead acid batteries ain't the same as other types of rechargeables, and once showing problems cycling them won't help.

Electronics is my thing, and from the details you've given I cant see how to determine whether the fault is with the battery or charger. So I'm not seeing how they could know its the battery. Lets hope they guessed right.

NT

"Oh, here's another one with standard fault #2"

When you've had enough calls you'll be able to take a pretty good guess!

Andy

I don't see why anyone would bother. SLA battery, ignored for months on end, goes flat; if it's left like that, it's fubarred. You'll be lucky if it recovers properly - if it does, consider it a bonus, but don't expect any great life from it.

/I don't see why anyone would bother. /SLA battery, ignored for months on end, goes flat; if it's left like /that, it's fubarred. /You'll be lucky if it recovers properly - if it does, consider it a /bonus, but don't expect any great life from it.

You could be right about longevity, after all, it's a battery that's 5 years old. The car's new, so it's unlikely to be used as a Jumper again, but dead andy for tyre checks.