It can happen to anyone—you stop your vehicle to go into a store or leave it parked overnight. When you return, you turn your key, but nothing happens. The engine may be turning over, but your vehicle just will not start. The culprit? Most likely, your battery is dead.
Most people keep jumper cables in their car for this exact reason, but need to find another vehicle to provide a jump and kick-start the battery. If you’re out in a desolate area or there’s just nobody around, you might be stuck for quite a while unless you call for commercial roadside assistance in Flagstaff, AZ.
A popular item on the automotive market is the portable jump starter, a device that holds a charge big enough to give your car the jump start it needs to run again. Recent technology has made these devices more affordable and easy to use for all vehicle owners. Some skeptics question the validity of these jump starters, claiming they don’t actually work. In reality, yes, jump starters are capable of giving your vehicle the boost it needs, as long as you choose the right one.
The basis of portable jump starters
In essence, a portable jump starter is a battery in a sealed box attached to two jumper cables. These jumper cables get attached to your car battery in the same way you’d attach them to another car: match the red and black cables to the battery terminals.
Once attached, the jump starter emits a large amount of power to your car quickly, allowing you to start the vehicle and recharge the battery. The jump starters are typically rechargeable, but you might only get one or two reliable uses out of one before you need to charge it again.
Portable jump starter models vary widely. Some models are of the traditional large battery-in-a-box variety, while others are much smaller and use lithium-ion batteries within a handheld case, much like a smartphone.
Selecting the right model
The most important part of purchasing a portable jump starter is figuring out which model will work for your vehicle. Certain vehicles will require more power than others. If you fail to do your research, your jump starter may be useless, leaving you to call for commercial roadside assistance in Flagstaff, AZ instead. Many people who claim portable jump starters do not work simply did not select the right model and power level to get their battery running.
You’ll need to take into account your vehicle’s age and its engine size to determine the amount of power required of your jump starter. Compact, newer vehicles will require less power, while older or larger vehicles will require much more.
Be sure to do your research prior to purchasing a portable jump starter. Many models come with fancy accessories and other tools like air compressors, flashlights and charging ports, so identify what your needs are and find a model that will work for you.
Is your vehicle dead, but you don’t have a portable jump starter to get you up and running? No problem! Call Maclin Truck & Trailer for commercial roadside assistance in Flagstaff, AZ. We provide roadside repair and maintenance to commercial trucks, trailers and RVs. We can also tow your vehicle back to our shop for larger repairs. Call us today!