How to Use a Portable Jump Starter or Jump Box to Jump a Car?
Is your car battery completely dead or too weak to start the vehicle's engine? This is where you need to jump the car. A simple way to jump-start your vehicle is to use jumper cables. However, you can also start your car without these cables. Do you know how?
Well, a portable jump starter helps you jump a car. You might be wondering, “How to use a jump starter and how long it takes to charge the battery fully.” Right? Considering the engine type, a jump starter can provide 400-600 amperes to start the vehicle within a minute.
In today's discussion, we will see a complete guide to starting the vehicle with a portable jump starter, fixing common issues while jump-starting, and much more. Let's get into further details.
Step-by-Step Guide for Using a Portable Jump Starter
If you are wondering how to use a jump box or jump starter to start a car, you will be glad to know that the process is straightforward. All you need to do is follow a few safety measures. Then, connect the jump box to the car's battery terminals and turn it on to start your vehicle.
Using a jump starter is one of the safest ways to start a car. The reason behind this fact is that it has 13V. This voltage level is low enough to protect your vehicle from overloads. Here's how you can use a jump box to start your car.
Step 1: Follow the Safety Precautions
First, read the manufacturer's instructions to understand how a portable jump starter works. Don't forget to remove jewelry items while using a jump box or when you get closer to the open car hood. Using nitrile gloves and safety glasses are recommended. You can use leather work gloves and sunglasses if you don't have these safety tools.
Identify the positive and negative cables. The positive clamp is mostly denoted by the “+” sign and is usually red. In contrast, the negative clamp is denoted by the symbol “-.” It is mostly marked with a black shade. In case you are unable to differentiate the positive and negative clamps, reading through the manufacturer's instructions can help you find them instantly.
Step 2: Connect the Jump Box to Your Dead/Too Weak Battery
Now that you're familiar with the necessary safety measures, it's time to connect the jump starter to the battery terminals. Attach the red clamp of the jump box to the positive terminal (+) of your battery. It is mostly a red-colored terminal. Once done, connect the black clamp of the jump starter to the battery's negative terminal (-), which is mostly black.
Once you connect both clamps to the battery terminals, an indicator light will show that the jump box is ready to start your car. Can't you see an indication light after connecting the clamps to the battery terminals? Try turning on the jump box again. If it doesn't work, read the instructions manual again for your specific problem.
Is your portable jump starter sitting safely? Is it away from all moving parts? Perfect! These are the things you should be careful about, as they ensure that the jump box will not fall when the car shakes and starts.
Step 3: Start Your Car
Once you connect everything carefully, wait a minute before igniting the engine. If the jump box can't start the car on the first attempt, don't try again, as it may damage your vehicle's starter or the jump box. So, what should you do in that case? Is this what you have in mind at the moment? Right?
Well, disconnect the jump box from the battery, and check its power level. If the jump starter is completely depleted or warm, don't connect it again until you recharge it. If you see that the jump box is cold, there may be an issue with connecting it to the battery terminals. Check whether both positive and negative clamps are free from corrosion. If the clamps are clean, look for other connection issues hindering the jump-starting process.
If there's no connection issue and the jump starter is fully charged, starting your car will take less than a minute.
Step 4: Remove the Jump Box
When disconnecting the jump starter, you have to follow a reverse process. Remove the negative clamp first and then move toward the positive clamp. To ensure greater safety, two clamps should not touch the battery. If either of the two clamps touches the car's battery, it'll generate a spark that can potentially damage sensitive electronics and the onboard computer of your vehicle.
Recharge your jump box after each use. Charge it at home, if possible. Alternatively, you can go to a nearby shop and get it charged there. Also, keep it away from hot outdoor environments and store it indoors. Higher temperatures can damage the lithium-ion battery cells commonly used in jump starters.
Followed the Above Steps Carefully? What Next?
So, you are now happy because your car's engine is running. Perfect! However, the job has not been done yet. Starting your car with a jump start is a temporary fix. The next thing you should do is visit a nearby store or mechanic for a battery test.
This test performs a detailed electrical and charging system analysis to determine whether you need to replace the battery or a simple auto repair is required. If you need to buy a new battery for your car, look no further than exploring a vast battery collection at Renogy.
Troubleshooting Common Problems When Using Your Jump Box
Though a jump box helps you get out of temporary trouble, it's not a long-term solution. However, you should be familiar with troubleshooting common issues using a portable jump starter. Let's look at queries that may pop up while using this device.
- Is the jump box on? You can see the indicator lights to confirm whether or not it is on. This indication confirms that you have established a successful connection with the battery.
- Is the jump starter charged? If it is charged, it'll start your car on the first attempt. If not, you won't be able to jump the vehicle until you charge your jump box.
- Do the cables slip off? Make sure there is a strong connection between the cables and battery terminals. To do this, always place the jump box at a safe location in the engine compartment.
- Are the clamps corroded? If they are, the jump box will not start the vehicle properly. It also happens if the polarity is wrong or when the connections between the jump starter and battery are not secure.
- Is your jump starter broken? Jump starters usually come with lithium-ion batteries connected to a BMS. These devices aren't sensitive to software issues, but a connection with an overload circuit doesn't allow them to function properly.
- Is your car battery completely dead? Keep an eye on the jump box's signal to understand the issue. Sometimes, it's the battery itself that creates the problem.
- Is your jump box too cold? A jump box takes the temperature of its own batteries. When it becomes too hot or too cold, the circuit is cut off immediately to protect battery cells. Extreme temperatures can damage these cells in no time. Therefore, it is advisable to keep these devices at room temperature.
Portable Jump Starters vs. Battery Chargers
Jump starters and battery chargers have distinct functions. A portable jump box pushes power to the starter, whereas a battery charger pushes power into the vehicle's battery.
Simply put, a jump starter helps you run the engine in a pinch and may leave you stranded any time. In contrast, a battery charger enables you to charge the battery fully to ensure the maximized performance.
Both devices have limitations, too. A jump box can bypass the dead battery and start the car, but it can't charge your battery. On the other hand, a battery charger charges your battery, but it can't deliver enough power to start the engine.
Will a Portable Jump Starter Start a Completely Dead Battery?
If your car battery can't hold a charge at all, a portable jump starter won't be able to establish a connection to the starter. On the other hand, if your battery is dead but can hold a charge, a jump box will help you start the engine in less than a minute, as discussed earlier.
You can't see how dead your battery is; therefore, using a jump starter is necessary to get out of trouble. When you turn on your car's electronics and notice that the dashboard lights fade in less than a minute, it is an indication that the car battery is too dead.
In case your portable jump box can't start the engine, don't go for the second try. Instead, you should disconnect it and put it on charge. Then, after 30 minutes, you can try again. If you still can't start the car because the battery is too dead, replace it with a newer one. Read our guide on how to choose a perfect battery for your car.
FAQs
Can you connect the jump starter directly to the battery?
Yes, you can connect the jump box directly to your car's battery. Ensure you follow the correct polarity.
Why won't my car start with a portable jump starter?
There can be multiple reasons behind your car not starting with a portable jump starter, including but not limited to a faulty jump box, corroded or loose connections, and a faulty or too dead battery.
Can you charge a car battery with a portable jump starter?
No, it can't help you charge the battery. However, it provides a burst of power to start the engine.
How long does it take to charge a portable jump starter?
It can take 2-4 hours to charge your portable jump starter.
Final Thoughts
So, you are searching for how to use a portable jump starter to jump-start your vehicle. Right? Well, the process is super simple. All you need to do is follow the safety instructions, connect the jump box to the battery terminals, start the engine, and remove the clamps carefully.
If the portable jump box can't start your car, disconnect it and put it on charge. After half an hour, you can reconnect the jump starter to the battery to start your vehicle. If it is still unable to do the job, it is time to replace your car battery.
