Jump Pack cable melted.

[Coach James]

My Grand Prix has been sitting for over two years without being driven. I needed to move it tonight to have some drive way work done.

I knew the battery was dead so I tried my jump pack on it. It is the one here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF0OSFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Hooked it up and it took maybe 5 tries but started the car. I got out and unhooked it and saw that the negative cable had melted from the connection to the battery pack. Also, the black thing in the middle of the red "cable" was hot as blazes as was part of the battery pack.

The car ran fine and no problems driving it aside from me getting stung 8 or 9 times by the wasps that had nests between the door and center pillar.

Any suggestions for a decent jump pack?

Coach

 

[LXCam]

Sounds to me like that's a damn good jump pack. I'd suggest replacing the leads with conductors a couple sizes larger and count your blessings you found one that actually works.

 

[Coach James]

Yep, I was surprised it was able to start the car as it did. I was just concerned about the connection melting.

I was also pleasantly surprised at how well the car ran after sitting for so long.

Coach

 

[ducksface]

I'm always surprised when they don't melt.
I am amazed at what they do.
All use just about the same cables(if you're speaking of the ultra small packs.) I'm going to say, based on my experience, the overheat came from hitting it so many times without a time out. Mine will start a v10 Chrysler. First bump, no, second bump, better, third starts. Same with 8.1 gm.
I think five was excessive.

If you want a big pack I like the 5 in one hf yellow, or. Previously yellow, unit.

 

[readhead]

Read the directions. Everyone I have seen says not to leave the battery connected for more than a few seconds. If you sat there and cranked until it started you are lucky it didn't blow up.

 

[Coach James]

I did read the directions. It contained nothing about keeping it hooked up for only a few seconds.

1. Charge the jump pack.
2. Connect the red cable then the black.
3. Start the car
4. Once car starts, disconnect jump pack within 30s. (I did this).
5. Leave the engine running.

As soon as it started, I got out and disconnected the pack.

I'm not criticizing the item as it started a long dead vehicle. I just looking for opinions on what other jump packs are good.

Coach

 

[ducksface]

I have 4 different brands, six of them in total. Each vehicle has its own. On sale, point of sale, gifts, no rhyme or reason.
The pirating is pretty complete in this product cycle and they are all just about the same.

But:
The Hammacher schlemmer one has a lifetime, no ********, warranty. You could have mailed yours back to them prepaid by them.

 

[rnscustom]

Probably should have tried a couple times then left it on to charge the battery a little , also when you jump a car you should only let it crank a few times then let the starter rest a second . That unit is probably toast unless you can get it apart to reconnect . Also if it's lithium ion batterys be careful , most battery builders won't work on them .

 

[mfewtrail]

Most of those lithium jump starters should say to wait 30-60 seconds between jump start attempts to let the pack/cables cool. Some of them may or may not ask you to disconnect the leads during that wait time also.

 

[AA/FC]

Not really suprised the cable melted, they are very undersized for the application. There is a reason why normal battery cables and jumper cables are large in diameter....

 

[Carquest]

You may already know, but for most brands you can buy a replacement cable set. I've had customers melt several sets with no apparent harm to the jump box. Usually I see the fuse link on the positive side melted.

 

[theoldwizard1]

There are SO MANY CHEAP jump packs out there, I have not bought anything !

Personally, the idea of lithium cobalt oxide battery accidentally bursting into flames because of poor construction, I don't think I would ever leave one in a car or my garage !

Lithium iron phosphate batteries ARE SO MUCH SAFER ! The only jump pack that uses this technology is the one from HF. Of course, that does not mean the leads are any good !

 

[Dingleburry]

Mjlorton does a good review of a bunch of them.
I believe the best one was the lead acid battery one.
But if your dead set in Li-on he tests a bunch of those too.

 

[wagzilla]

If the car will not crank I will not use a ultra small packs, its just too much power, I will use a full size jump pack 800 cca and even better trickle charge the battery or replace it.

I have used my ultra small packs to jump start many cars and trucks and my jump pack it now about 5 years old

good luck
James

 

[anndel]

My Grand Prix has been sitting for over two years without being driven. I needed to move it tonight to have some drive way work done.

I knew the battery was dead so I tried my jump pack on it. It is the one here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF0OSFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Hooked it up and it took maybe 5 tries but started the car. I got out and unhooked it and saw that the negative cable had melted from the connection to the battery pack. Also, the black thing in the middle of the red "cable" was hot as blazes as was part of the battery pack.

The car ran fine and no problems driving it aside from me getting stung 8 or 9 times by the wasps that had nests between the door and center pillar.

Any suggestions for a decent jump pack?

Coach

How big/heavy are you looking for? If weight and size aren't an issue then of course the Clore JNC660. For smaller sizes I have the NOCO GB70 and GB40 in my vehicles.

 

[rnscustom]

That jnc660 is what I have , kids all have one too , best out there for the money , bought 3 on flash sale amazon for $79 each .

 

[JohnDeere1]

Damn dude you must have cranked on it too long should have used starter fluid. That ***** to hear just buy a pair of jumper cables and cut and splice them together.

 

[mbshop]

That's a jump pack ? Dang, I thought you were talking about the big packs. Surprised that would start much of anything.

 

[WhiffySpark]

That's a jump pack ? Dang, I thought you were talking about the big packs. Surprised that would start much of anything.

My anti gravity would start dead cummins

 

[laser3kw]

The Hammacher schlemmer one has a lifetime, no ********, warranty. You could have mailed yours back to them prepaid by them.

life time warranty = product dies - life over - warranty done

 

[Tallpilot]

Hopefully you can get some new leads. I would be impressed with the jump pack. You beat the **** out of it and it still did its job. Why didn't the car get driven for 2 years?

 

[Showkey]

If the vehicle battery is completely dead........connect pack, let it "charge" the dead battery before attempting to crank.

Extreme High current draw on the small pack can damage it, swelling and fire can be the end result.

Case swelling is the first sign of damaged cells.

 

[ducksface]

life time warranty = product dies - life over - warranty done

Nothing can be as fulfilling as being absolutely wrong and placing such high regard on yourself.
It has to be a shortcoming of my own that keeps me from understanding the purpose of your post.
Please explain.

 

[VintageOkieDriver]

I will have to try the jump pack I just got in on my lawn ornament to see if I have the same problem. Thank you for the info.

 

[laser3kw]

Nothing can be as fulfilling as being absolutely wrong and placing such high regard on yourself.

self examination?

It has to be a shortcoming of my own that keeps me from understanding the purpose of your post.

there Ya go

 

[AA/FC]

Coach James, does your cable set look like these? If so, I know where there is an entire large plastic storage tote full of these for sale. I could send you a pair...

Or anyone else for that matter. If anyone wants, or needs a spare set of cables for your mini jump pack, and your cables look like these, let me know and I could send out a spare set. (Cost of cables, plus shipping)

Send PM if interested...