Jump starter for trouble

[drhasegawa]

Actually, my Birkin 7 has suffered from drained battery, lately, probably caused by mild current leakage. When I returned from Tokyo home to Hayama retreat after one week, my Birkin's engine did not fire up recently. So I purchased from Amazon, (1) battery kill switch, (2) Jump (kick) starter (USB-charged auxiliary power), (3) fast pulse battery charger. 

Today on December 14, I return to Hayama and tried these devices. Geez, kick starter works (photo-1). These devices are not so expensive. seemingly very effective for our vintage car.

   From the first, I install kill switch on the minus (-) terminal. I will cut the circuit when I go home to Tokyo. By turning black circle handle, circuit is turned kill/alive. Very low-cost countermeasure - (Photo-3, 1.jpg). Then I charge the battery with pulse charger connected with home electric current source (Photo-2, 3.jpg). I will continue this for overnight.

 

  Actually, after my Birkin reach 140,000 km mileage,  several problems are occurring more frequently.  Now, 148,000 km, I am making an effort,,, 

[MV8]

Kick starter = Lithium battery. Careful where you put that to store or charge. Dispose of if ever any physical damage to the case.

[drhasegawa]

MV8 - Thanks for your advice. 

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

If your jump box is (as most are) under 100Whours, you can take it through TSA and use it as backup for all your electronics. I grabbed one out of the trunk of my Miata and brought it with me to Puerto Rico for a family event - great to have in airports and BNBs. Just remember that it has to be in your carry-on; they don't want them in the luggage hold. 

[MV8]

2 hours ago, Timothy Keith-Lucas said:

If your jump box is (as most are) under 100Whours, you can take it through TSA and use it as backup for all your electronics. I grabbed one out of the trunk of my Miata and brought it with me to Puerto Rico for a family event - great to have in airports and BNBs. Just remember that it has to be in your carry-on; they don't want them in the luggage hold. 

It is rate of discharge and not that it would be operating for an hour. I don't know of any jump box that is ok to fly commercial. Watt hours = voltage x amp hours. Amp hours = discharge rating (usually 5C for lithium, 1C or less for lead acid) x available amps.

Battery charger/power supply assemblies can be similar in size but very different from jumpbox in discharge rate.

The specs I've seen are often incomplete or the info provided doesn't add up.

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lithium-batteries

https://www.power-sonic.com/what-is-a-battery-c-rating/

Edited January 1 by MV8

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

I beg to disagree. Quoting from your FAA post " batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery." I'm travelling with a GooLoo automobile jump-off battery, rated as 76 watt hours, at this time. It went through TSA at the Orlando airport.

[MV8]

I'm saying they are likely much more than 100wh. I understand reading and trusting the label on a product. Everyone is putting a lot of faith in unvetted mfg "specs" and those acting reasonably (and with immunity) by reading the same label. Many examples of false advertising out there.

 

If there is an incident based on your lithium jump starter, while specs (listed by Temu, the mfg, etc) may help mitigate a civil penalty, also consider civil for claimed injuries (like toxic smoke inhalation). A same spec model would likely be tested by an independent lab to see if it is within limits. China did not bring it on the plane. Just something to think about. 

Edited January 1 by MV8

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

Amen on sources of error, MV8. The FAA/TSA seems to be thinking that if the battery is not too big and is in your carry-on, cabin staff can put out the fire while the passengers pray, scream, and dig in their bags for fresh underwear. So far, I have not heard of it happening.

[MV8]

I understand. Much isn't covered/reported. What is initially covered is only preliminary. In a couple years a report will come out that may not be newsworthy compared to covering celebrity drama.