Jump-srart devices are only as good as the battery that powers them; and usually they're not all that good. But a small lithium-battery-powered jump-starter from Antigravity Batteries (Antigravity Batteries- The lightest, smallest and most powerful Lithium-Ion (http://www.antigravitybatteries.com)) has been surprising reviwers with its ability to start some pretty big engines... even on its own.
With a price tag of about $135 at Amazon and a bunch of rave reviews (including one from the weird electrical guru at JP Magazine) Ithought I'd try one. It just arrived and, frankly, it's so small that I can hardly believe all those reviews. But they can't all be wrong.
The Micro-Start XP-1 comes with a plethora (in its true meaning) of connectors to let you charge up all your tablets and cellphones as well as laptops, notebooks and - for all I know - lawnmowers and Priuses...
And it has a built-in flashlight.
I'm not sure if it will do much for a U320 but my little Cummins 5.9 isn't all that much bigger than a V8 so I figured, "what the heck".
We'll see....
Craig
Hey, David killed Goliath. But maybe Goliath was having a bad day.
Pierce
The reviews on Amazon are pretty impressive. The guy on JP Magazine (a Jeep enthusiast outfit) said that he would have started up more dead Jeeps at a big rally but there weren't any more. Several people have reportedly started numerous vehicles sequentially (without recharging the micro-start).
Of course, the next vehicle of mine with a dead battery will be the one without this little doo-dad in it, right?
Craig
I was amazed when I had a flat on our U300 and the driver came out with a small, battery impact wrench. About the size of a typical 1/2" air impact. Pulled the tire off like a 1" air impact. He changed batteries to torque the spare. He said truckers are usually surprised also. Fairly expensive from Snap-On ($600) and a little cheaper from Milwaukee.
Pierce
These things are awesome. I've had one for about 6 months now. You can jumpstart 12 completely dead vehicles before recharging. I keep one in our vehicle at all times. They do work!!!
Just ordered one from my parts supplier comes in a nice case as well. Tried a demo one on severial vehicles, it worked great. However we tried it on a Mack semi tractor no go, but hay it has 3 group 31s in to turn it over!
LOL... well there has to be a limit somewhere. My little old U225 has a 5.9 Cummins and I've had two pickups with almost the identical engine and both of them used regular car-type batteries. The '93 had only one battery and the '94 has two batteries. But they're nothing special. I'm thinking that this little device should be able to start the 5.9 in my coach.
But the thing seems pretty handy for other uses, too. And it holds its charge well plus can be charged off DC when under way or AC from inverter or shore power. I'm not sure I see a downside for the $135 cost.
Well... there's the money, of course. :P
Craig
Can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with this "200 Amp" jump start wonder box considering the low current 10 ga cables and the light duty spring clips. At 200 amp loading, the lite cables & spring clips would get REAL HOT quick. :o
It must be a brilliant flashlight.
More snake oil ;D More ocean front in Kansas :P
Dave M
I hesitate to post on this, just runs up posts for no real contribution. But here goes.
You folks know I have learned so much from many of you. Dave M is one that helps bring clarity in straight forward analysis and I rely on him. So, I gotta wondering...since he called it to mind....it is hard for me to even charge batteries with light cables and clips. And I am not sure 200 amps even if gotten through system that could crank my M11?
And yet some of you have tried this thing, seem to endorse from actual use. I thought maybe good idea to get one, even at that high cost. But now? as Dave would say........."just saying" or maybe for me, "just asking". Think it practical for our M11? (i do not want to buy that ocean front in Kansas!)
mike
When I bought mine from Cornwell Tool guy, he specifically said they told him at Parts Seminar, that the chargers were not designed to start ANY Diesel engines. I bought mine for personal vehicles and for the charging capacity for laptops, phones, etc. I would think the amp draw to start a diesel would burn these up.
I'd try it on my u225 but only because the 5.9 Cummins is not much different thzn a v8 and several reviews and one auto magazine reviewer mentioned starting numerous v8 engines. Bug it's mistly as an extra charger for electronics systems. Sometimes it pays off having an "entry level" coach.
Crsig
I have the "powerall" version, basically the same one. Left my slidein camper connected to the truck all night, and brought the truck batteries down to 'click click' stage. Sure enough the little charger put out enough to get that duramax started.
Of course, the truck batteries [2] were not completely flat.
All in all, not a bad investment.
I don't think you are going to start an M11 with it, but adding it to exhausted batteries might just give it enough help. I have one and have not tried it yet. My wife who (looking over shoulder) forgets chargers for her electronics can now at least stay in touch.
Keith