jump starting packs

[jumpy]

Winter and batteries....

1) check battery voltage - if it's less that 12.6v then it's not at 100% charge.
2) charging system check - if it's not charging at around 14v (+-0.5v) then it's new alternator time.
3) if 1 & 2 are ok and you still have problems, you may need to check the starter motor.

Short journeys with lights/heater etc on all the time or infrequent use of the vehicle will always cause problems with winter starting.

I have a charger/booster and a 30m cable reel for sorting the car outside the house. plus a handy 10mm and 13mm spanner to remove battery.
Charger/booster is great - charge battery on site (connecting negative to engine earth strap, not the battery negative terminal - depending on electrical system). 15 minute charge then switch to 'start' on the booster for a quick 120amp kick start and immediately start the engine. Works every time - obviously this is not good if you're in the middle of nowhere, but it works very well for me.

 

[Dave M]

For everyone else a decent battery and perhaps a charger in the garage is more than sufficient?

Unless your garage is not near your house

Got to be said though it's pointless keeping it in the car - needs to be kept warm at home and topped up every month (not sure it's wise to leave plugged in all the time).

The only time I've needed to use mine for a jump (it's normally used to charge phones camping or running an energy saving bulb in a power cut) it wouldn't turn because I'd not charged the damned thing in months. I just got a taxi and bought a new battery from Halfords but if I wasn't in a rush I could have plugged the power pack in to charge, had a day of xbox, then started the car the next day.

Horses for courses as they say.