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Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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DeepBlueSky
New User
Feb 22, 2014, 12:16 PM
Post #1 of 7
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Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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Hi,
I have a 300 amp jumpstarter (model: VEC010BD from Black and Decker), which doesn't quite have enough juice to jumpstart the 2003 Mercedes Benz ML 350 I'm attempting to start. The car starts to turn over but just doesn't quite get a full turnover to start the car when the jump start is attempted. So I'm wondering if it's safe and feasible to hook the VEC010BD up to the battery as if I was going to jump it and then plug the VEC010BD into an outlet via extension cord to charge the battery. I know a car battery charger would be ideal but one is unavailable and not easily obtained where I'm located.
The car has been sitting outside for awhile due to being away from home, hence the near empty battery.
Thank you in advance for your help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 22, 2014, 4:28 PM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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It sounds like you just need a new battery. Plugging your jump box into house current isn't going to give it any more power. If it's not starting with the boost, the battery is probably junk.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2014, 5:56 AM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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? If reading this properly YES that would work. I take it you would leave jumper box attached to the car while home charging the box - right?
It would take forever, perhaps a 48hrs or more but by the time jumper box reads fully charged (most do) then both should be and you should know if the box will automatically quit by itself or not OR give it a time limit and stop doing such. Can't imagine it not being automatic but don't know all types.
BEWARE: Doing this should have built in protection for the charging of the box. It may charge and shut down now and then or permanently?
Know that rating of 300 AMPs for the jumper box is the very best at optimal temps for the first try right after it was fully charged. If colder or other battery is way too low it simply isn't enough. That's a low AMP booster IMO and experience. You really need an honest 500+ which will claim over 1,000 on some. Huge bucks now for a real good one.
Still better to use a direct real battery charger on a slower setting for the best charge AND now you do have to wonder the condition of the car's battery totally. Then you want to test that battery not just that it hold voltage but has the AMP power in range needed for the car.
Other: When you notice just enough AMPs as you did for a slow engine turn but not close to a normal crank speed you are wildly burning the starter motor in that vehicle. Odd as it may seem, under powering electric motors overheats them! Don't allow it or keep trying.
I am doing this stuff as I type and all the time. Have 12V batteries for assorted reasons and devices absolutely perfect for power outages.
The concise word is YES that will likely work if understanding what you meant,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2014, 6:17 AM
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Re: Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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All that will do is burn out the charger in the box.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2014, 6:49 AM
Post #5 of 7
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Re: Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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No telling what it is designed like. I find B+D not so special for 12V stuff vs say Shumacher or some others.
Essentially the dinky wall outlet charger is or should just be detecting the box being low and would with just the first try or use of it then most all say charge it to full again ready for another use. If and repeat I said "if" things are all in order that dinky little charger should just think it charging the box while the box is charging another - both hooked up it's just charging a higher amp box to that charger.
Hope is it's design is to shut down with auto or manual reset and don't know. Some things will just blink red light indicating it's wrong or a failure and is doing nothing.
Should have said I'd rather see this done with the car's battery disconnected from the vehicle. My own tricks are just battery to another for assorted reasons and can hook them all up at the risk on one going bad taking all down so takes knowing that all are in proper shape.
THIS CAR IF LEFT LIKE THAT SHOULD BE ON A MAINTAINER when long term storage or non use is expected.
What happens with a car when power isn't right is another whole issue. So far I was just mentioning battery to battery and things that charge them.
Off the topic but part of the scoop is you can charge jumper boxes thru the clamps or many have the cig lighter type power port and can charge thru those also.
My own "road" call box is charging in a trunk off the vehicle's charging system while running the vehicle. After a run it reads fully charged again. Not new to me, the features and fail-safes of assorted things can be all different so unless known only do stuff so long or risk burning out charger or a battery. Assorted risks in any of this,
Tom
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2014, 10:41 AM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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Fully charged 300 amp booster shouldn't have any problem getting the engine to crank. I agree with Hammer to just stick another battery in it. Battery is probably sulfated beyond resurrection.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2014, 11:31 AM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: Can I use a jump starter to charge a battery?
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Trouble DS is that the "300" is @ say 75F when it was new. At 32F might only have 100AMPS and low battery would suck that out before starter could get any. Mine is old, 1,000 AMP and won't start a seriously dead vehicle if battery is attached. Lotta misleading on those jumper boxes as to what the really can do and horrible if kept in the cold,
Tom
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