Jump leads

Hymer Snobs

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For the past 3 years I've been lugging around a set of heavy duty jump leads both for my peace-of-mind and my inner altruism. However I read today that if did what we did in my mis-spent (but fun) youth with our clapped out minis and escorts ie connect up, max revs on supply vehicle, then turn over receiving vehicle, I risk frying our ECU and we should just use the leads to trickle charge a dead/low battery. Firstly, this sounds sensible but is it true? And secondly, is a small jump starter like this at £39.99 a better solution:

Brand: Taotuo
3.9 out of 5 stars 71Reviews

Car Jump Starter, Portable 20000mAh 12V Power Bank Auto Car Battery Booster Power Pack with LED Flashlight, Quick Charge 3.0 USB Ports for Automotive, Motorcycle, Tractor Red​




  1. Car Jump Starter, Portable 20000mAh 12V Power Bank Auto Car Battery Booster Power Pack with LED Flashlight, Quick Charge 3.0 USB Ports for Automotive, Motorcycle, Tractor Red
?
Many Thanks

Mark
 
I have had one of these for 3 years, started numerous cars and a motorhome with ease.
Fortunately not yet had to use it on my motorhome but use it all the time to charge iPhone, iPad and ecigs and when my leisure battery failed used it to power tv for a few hours.
 
Got similar to these luckily not needed them my self but helped others a few times.

Just to mention before the usual they leads arn't heavy enough etc They are not jump leads just to quickly charge the flat battery
 
For the past 3 years I've been lugging around a set of heavy duty jump leads both for my peace-of-mind and my inner altruism. However I read today that if did what we did in my mis-spent (but fun) youth with our clapped out minis and escorts ie connect up, max revs on supply vehicle, then turn over receiving vehicle, I risk frying our ECU and we should just use the leads to trickle charge a dead/low battery. Firstly, this sounds sensible but is it true? And secondly, is a small jump starter like this at £39.99 a better solution:

Brand: Taotuo
3.9 out of 5 stars 71Reviews

Car Jump Starter, Portable 20000mAh 12V Power Bank Auto Car Battery Booster Power Pack with LED Flashlight, Quick Charge 3.0 USB Ports for Automotive, Motorcycle, Tractor Red​




  1. Car Jump Starter, Portable 20000mAh 12V Power Bank Auto Car Battery Booster Power Pack with LED Flashlight, Quick Charge 3.0 USB Ports for Automotive, Motorcycle, Tractor Red
?
Many Thanks

Mark
Your description of how you used jump leads was flawed. You were supposed to connect them with the charging vehicle idling. Then wait a while for other battery to absorb a charge. Since the adoption of cars using alternators, it’s not often to find a car with a flat battery. I carry a set in Murky, but I think the last time they were used was a few years ago in the Netherlands. A German had flattened his battery and we couldn’t get a vehicle close enough to it, so he borrowed my spare battery too. He did seem embarrassed to be saved by a mad English man.
 
I’ve used jump leads on modern cars with ECU’s with no I’ll effect. Physically, I can’t see how connecting a second battery to a flat battery should have any effect on the ECU.
I suppose there is the risk of connecting it wrongly though if you aren’t familiar with + and - signs………
 
I’ve used jump leads on modern cars with ECU’s with no I’ll effect. Physically, I can’t see how connecting a second battery to a flat battery should have any effect on the ECU.
I suppose there is the risk of connecting it wrongly though if you aren’t familiar with + and - signs………
It does happen though Our local new community buss was parked in our yard one day it wouldn't start so under warranty Vospers where called main dealers. Buss did turn over but never started was eventually trucked away and fault reported was a spiked ECU
 
Would it cause a problem if you were to connect both vehicles with the ign off on the dead one, then let them sit for a while?
 
I suspect the reported issues regarding jump leads/ecus are maybe linked to before the jump leads are connected...
We've had a couple of works vans that 'wiped' the ecu and wouldn't start after being parked whilst I was on holidays...

Main dealer reckoned that it was caused by the current being drawn during starting from a less than fully charged battery (turned over normally a couple of times then very slow)
 
Your description of how you used jump leads was flawed. You were supposed to connect them with the charging vehicle idling. Then wait a while for other battery to absorb a charge. Since the adoption of cars using alternators, it’s not often to find a car with a flat battery. I carry a set in Murky, but I think the last time they were used was a few years ago in the Netherlands. A German had flattened his battery and we couldn’t get a vehicle close enough to it, so he borrowed my spare battery too. He did seem embarrassed to be saved by a mad English man.
I agree our methodology was flawed but we we're ignorant youths and our, probably illegal, vehicles were held together by gaffer tape and hope and probably had no, or rudimentary ECUs. Now, older and wiser, I respect my vehicles a little more...but I do miss those hedonistic days 😁👍
 
The bloke at my local garage told me to avoid using my car for jump starting as it has (switchable) stop start. Apparently it’s possible to upset the ecu from a charging point of view, also the little black oxo cube sized box on the battery terminal can get damaged.
As my underbonnet knowledge (not a euphemism) is limited to motors that predate an ecu, I’ve no idea if any of the advice is true!
 

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