Portable Jump Starter: How To Jump Start Your Car Using A Portable Jump Starter

Car battery problems are the worst, especially if they happen when you’re in a rush to get somewhere or on a desert road. However, you can eliminate the risk of getting stranded on the side of the road waiting for help by getting a portable jump starter.

 Read on to learn what it is and how to use a portable jump starter to jump-start a car battery.

Common signs of a dead or low-powered battery

Cars run on batteries with 12 V or more, and if the voltage drops, you could be facing a dead or low-powered battery. There are a couple of signs that could indicate that. 

Car Won’t Start

Despite you having already cranked the ignition key, your car fails to start. Instead, all you get are some whining and ticking sounds. Such a scenario is a clear indication that you have a dead battery.

If you notice this, do not try countless times to start your car. Continuously trying could only further damage your car battery.

Other Electrical Problems

Despite your car starting and running just fine, it doesn’t rule out the possibility that it has a dead or low-powered battery. 

If some electrical systems like the radio, headlights, or air conditioner suddenly stop functioning, it could be a sign that there’s a problem with your battery.

Smell

If you notice a foul smell, it’s likely sulfur leaking from your car’s battery which poses a big threat. 

A leaky battery is a sign you have a dead battery, or your battery is nearing the final days of its functionality.

 Leaky batteries aren’t something you want to ignore, and you should tend to them immediately. The best action would be to replace your battery with a new one. 

Flashing Check Engine Light

Caption: Flashing Check Engine Light

How to deal with a dead or low-powered battery?

If you’re experiencing any issues with your car battery, it’s a good idea to check the voltage. 

And if you find that the voltage is just a little bit lower than it should be, then the problem should be easy to fix.

To fix a dead battery that still has a substantial amount of voltage, all you need to do is drive around for a while, which gives your alternator enough time to recharge your battery. 

However, to go as smoothly as possible, it’s best to avoid using any features (radio, air conditioner, etc) that could drain more power.

A quick 30 min drive should be enough to recharge your battery voltage to a functional level. If this fails to fix the problem, then the problem could be deeper than a simple voltage drop. 

Furthermore, if you notice your battery’s voltage is significantly lower than it should be, or your car still doesn’t start after such driving, you likely have a completely dead battery.

 In order to fix this problem, all you have to do is jump-start your battery.

Understanding Portable Jump Starters

Jump starters are basically portable battery reserves designed to jump-start a vehicle without the need of another power source. 

A jump starter has specialized cables connected to a 12 V direct current output. 

The jumper cables are connected to the battery terminals and directly draw power from the jump starter battery. 

Unlike battery chargers that charge the battery, jump starters kickstart the battery without having to charge it by sending a quick burst of power. 

Once your car turns on, the alternator then begins charging your battery. 

In any scenario where your car battery dies, a jump starter tool is the perfect to have that will help get you back on the road. 

You don’t have to worry about how you’ll carry the device, as it has a small and lightweight design allowing you to easily store it in your trunk, under the seat, or inside your glovebox. 

A jump starter is a multifunctional device, and you can use it in a number of ways. 

For instance, you can use it to charge electronics since it has USB ports, or you can utilize its strong LED flashlights to give you some extra light while you’re driving at night. 

How To Use a Power Bank/Portable Jump Starter

It’s important that you’re careful and follow the correct steps to avoid damaging your car or causing any injuries.

Preparation

  • Go through the section in your car’s and jump starter’s manuals regarding jump start.
  • Switch the ignition key to off and then set the vehicle to park.
  • Set standard transmissions to Neutral and automatic transmissions to Park.
  • Put on safety gloves and glasses when handling the jump starter.
  • Find your battery. You can refer to the car’s manual if you are unsure where it is.
  • Ensure that the black and red clamps of the jumper cables don’t make any contact.
  • To expose the battery posts, you might have to remove some plastic covering. If you’re unsure how to do this, refer to your car’s manual.
  • Identify the battery’s negative (-) and positive (+) terminals.
  • Gently clean off any grime or dirt from the battery posts if necessary.
  • Before making any connections ensure the jump starter is off.
  • Also, ensure your car is off before making any connections. 

Step by Step Instructions

  • First, connect the red (positive) clamp to your battery’s positive terminal.
  • Then, proceed to connect the black (negative) clamp to an unpainted metal component of your engine block far from fuel lines, the carburetor, or the battery itself.
  • Once your jumper cables are in place, proceed to turn on your jump starter.
  • Finish by attempting to turn on your car.

Your car starting is a sigh of relief. However, if it fails to start immediately, don’t crank the ignition for over five seconds. Allow some time to pass before attempting again. If it still fails, it could be an indication that you should get a new battery. 

Final Steps

  • Turn off your jump starter.
  • In reverse order, disconnect the jumper cables ( first remove the negative cable, then the positive). Remember to ensure that they don’t make any contact.
  • Store your jump starter.
  • Once you get home, ensure to recharge your jump starter.

Conclusion

If you have a dead car battery at the side of the road, your only options are towing your car to the mechanic or requesting roadside assistance. 

However, most likely, all roads will lead down the same road, which is having to buy a new battery replacement. 

However, with a jump starter, whenever your car fails to start, you simply jump start to get you to your next stop. 

For all your new battery cable needs, feel free to contact Cloom Tech.