Aug 06: Battery boosters
As a portable power source, or to jump-start dead motorhome batteries, booster packs are unbeatable | |
OVERVIEW AND DETAILED WRITE-UP FOR EACH PRODUCT, MAY BE FOUND IN THE AUGUST 06 ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE. |
Sealey RS1.V3
Claimed output 300 amps
Price £99.95A
Tel 01284 757500
Web www.sealey.co.uk
Comments Put to the test, this unit cranked our smaller engines more enthusiast-
ically than all but the two Megaboosts (below and overleaf) and the Jump Start 4000 (right). There's no compressor built in, or even a light. The jump leads are permanently live, and we thought too short (60cm) to be practical. We liked the integral storage compartments (big enough to house all leads and adapters) and the coated steel clamps.
Verdict Too basic. Not enough power to justify the price.
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Mega Boost MB700
Claimed output 700 amps
Price £233.83
Tel 01604 588300
Web www.serenco.co.uk
Comments This unit is more powerful than the MB510. In our tests it was hard to tell whether this, or the Jump Start 4000 (above, right) spun our big test engine quicker – both work well with most petrol engines and medium-sized diesels. The unit is well made, with plenty of features: a key-operated isolator, and a buzzer warns of wrongful lead connection, and the 12V lead is double male-ended. But the 1.5m long jump leads fitted to the MB510 have shrunk to 80cm on this model.
Verdict Superb build quality, but no real advantage over the Jump Start 4000.
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Clarke Jump Start 910
Claimed output 400 amps
Price £46.94
Tel 01992 565300
Web www.clarkeinternational.com
Comments In many ways, this booster is similar to the Draper 75112 and the claimed power output is identical. You get leads of a decent decent length, good quality clamps, and a 12V socket and light. At the back, there's a tyre compressor with an accurate gauge. We also like the large storage compartment which holds the compressor's hose and adapters. The only downside to this unit is its permanently live jump leads.
Verdict Practically speaking, a budget priced cousin of our 'Editor's Choice'.
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Draper 75111
Claimed output 400 amps
Price £48.95
Tel 02380 266355
Web www.draper.co.uk
Comments The 75111 is basically our 'Editor's Choice' (overleaf) minus the tyre compressor. You get an isolator, which makes connecting the jump leads more risk free, plus leads of a decent length and good quality clamps, a 12V cigarette lighter socket and a light. According to Draper's literature, this is every bit as powerful as its more expensive brother (the 75112) and our tests backed this up. While there's not quite the 'oomph' to crank large diesels over enthusiastically, small diesels and large petrol engines seem
fair game.
Verdict The one to have if you already own a decent tyre compressor.
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Mega Boost MB510
Claimed output 510 amps
Price £175.08
Tel 01604 588300
Web www.serenco.co.uk
Comments The high price means we're now entering the realm of professional boosters, so there are
no niceties such as tyre compressors, or even a light. Instead, we get ultra-thick, supple, 1.5m-long jump leads and various safety features.
A buzzer warns of wrongful lead connection and there's a big key-operated isolator to ensure safe connection. The double male-ended 12V charge lead also allows you to maintain your motorhome's power during battery swapping. In our cranking tests, this was definitely more enthusiastic than most – apart from Clarke's monster Jump Start 4000.
Verdict A serious booster unit with serious starting power.
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SIP Rescue Pac
Claimed output 400 amps
Price £79
Tel 01509 500300
Web www.sip-group.com
Comments This is one of the best looking products on test and it's great if you love lights – lots of them. There are flashing red warning beacons, a couple of fluorescent tubes at the rear, and even a light that pulls out from the front. The unit's well designed, with enough storage space on board for the integral tyre compressor's hose and adapters, plus the mains charger and double male-ended 12V lead. Starting power seems the same as the Draper models and Clarke's Jump Start 910. But, as with the Hamilton unit, rather short jump leads and the lack of
an isolator, spoil the show.
Verdict Well designed, but too expensive considering its starting output.
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Hamilton Classic Jump'n'Start
Claimed output 900 amps
Price £49.95
Tel 0870 204 8080
Web www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk
Comments Hamilton's claimed 900A output for this unit must relate to peak, rather than average, output, as we found it to be roughly on a par with the Draper units and Clarke's Jump Start 910. In other ways, this unit is a mixed bag. There are many nice touches, such as the three 12V cigarette lighter sockets. We also liked the rear storage compartment, which is big enough to house all chargers, and the integral compressor's hose and adapters. However, the jump leads are less than 50cm long too short fo rour liking, and the plastic covered clamps don't inspire much confidence.
Verdict A great all rounder if only the jump leads were longer.
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Draper 75112
Claimed output 400 amps
Price £58.50
Tel 02380 266355
Web www.draper.co.uk
Comments Given that this booster looks to be a close cousin of similar units from countless budget brands, cynics might suggest that the higher price is simply a case of paying for a well-known name. But they'd be wrong. The first advantage, over budget units, is the isolator switch, which kills power to everything, including the jump leads. This allows you to connect the unit up without dangerous, and potentially damaging, sparking. The leads themselves are a generous 1m long, and there's an integral tyre compressor, too. Starting power is adequate for most petrol engines, and small diesel units.
Verdict Generally well designed all-rounder, with a tyre compressor.
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