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Equipment Enigmas – Your Questions Answered

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QandA_article-image_620x385It has been some time since we last scanned the (e)mailbag and our Facebook wall to address the most commonly asked questions that we receive. Questions come from customers with various levels of expertise and from a multitude of countries around the globe. In the spirit of “for every one question asked, there are hundreds who have the same question,” we figured we were overdue for a new round of answers.

“I bought my jump starter a few months ago. It has worked great and I’ve used it to jumpJNC660a 8 vehicles since purchase. The CHARGE COMPLETE light still lights every time I plug it in. I can’t believe it is still fully charged. Should I be concerned?”

This is a common question, the latest instance of which was related to a JNC660 purchase in December. First an explanation. Our jump starter batteries are very powerful and, in many cases, are relatively unaffected by a normal starting cycle on an otherwise healthy vehicle. In addition, once the vehicle starts, the jump starter will receive charging current from the vehicle’s alternator until disconnected. So, it isn’t unusual for the jump starter to remain mostly charged even after several uses. That said, regularly charging your jump starter is still beneficial, even if its state of charge is high, especially if the jump starter in question has automatic charging, which eliminates the risk of overcharging. We recommend recharging your jump starter every 90 days.

“In your manuals and articles, you say that the ideal storage temperature for your jump starters is 70˚F. I live in a very cold area where it can get to -20˚F overnight [very hot area where it is over 100˚F each day]. Does this mean your product will not work?”

This has been a very common question over recent months due to the extreme cold experienced by much of North America this winter. We realize it is not realistic to keep your jump starter in a 70˚ environment throughout the year. Long term exposure to very hot or very cold temperature will affect your jump starter’s longevity just like your car’s battery. A few simple steps can help to mitigate the impact, though. Charge your jump starter more often during periods of extreme weather if it is not stored indoors. Also, try to stabilize the unit’s temperature prior to charging – if you bring it in to charge, let it sit for an hour and then charge it. When it is going to be extremely cold overnight (-15˚ to -30˚) bring the jump starter inside rather than leaving it in your trunk. These steps will really help you get a longer life from your jump starter.

ES5000-Underhood_small“Do I really need to connect the negative (black) clamp to the chassis or engine ground when jump starting? I have always connected to the negative battery post in the past and it has worked out OK.”

While it is often easier and faster to connect your leads to the two battery terminals, without a doubt you should connect the negative lead to the vehicle’s chassis or an engine ground. The most important reason for this is that batteries are dangerous, particularly if they expelled any hydrogen due to excessive cranking or other causes. If you connect the positive lead to the ungrounded battery post and then the negative lead to the chassis away from the battery, if a spark should occur, it is much less likely to contact hydrogen gas. There is a reason that UL standards require us to write our manuals citing this connection sequence – because it is a best practice.

“I have an older Jump-N-Carry jump starter that needs to be repaired. I have my original Service Coupon. Do I need to also provide a copy of my purchase receipt?”

The Service Coupon that comes with some Jump-N-Carry models is for a one-time, fixed-fee service after the product is out of warranty eligibility. Use of the coupon involves a unit anywhere from 13 months to 10+ years in age from date of original purchase. As such, we aren’t too concerned with how old the unit is. If you no longer have your purchase receipt, it’s OK. We’ll honor the coupon, as long as it is the original coupon that accompanied the jump starter. No copies are accepted.

“I purchased a PRO-LOGIX battery charger recently and used it many times to charge my batteries. On a battery I tried to charge, where the battery was at almost zero Volts, I couldn’t get the charger to start charging. Is there a problem with the charger?”PL2520

This is a normal condition, but there is a workaround. On almost all smart chargers, including PRO-LOGIX chargers, a minimum voltage must be present in the battery to fire the electronics and enable the polarity protection feature to sense the battery’s polarity. For PRO-LOGIX, that level is approximately 2 Volts. But, if you have a battery that is below 2 Volts, PRO-LOGIX can still charge it. First, confirm that all of your connections are correct and that you have good surface contact at each of the connections. Then, hold down the START/CHARGE button for 3 seconds to force the charger to commence charging. Once the battery’s voltage rises above the 2V
threshold, all of the chargers advanced safety features will turn back on.

We hope these answers are helpful for you. If you ever have questions for us regarding our products or the applications they perform, we are just a click away.

5 Responses

  1. Re the male to male connector – when this cable is connected from the jump carry to the car, would it cause any harm if this connection was left in place on a car left in storage for several weeks?

    1. Tim – Thanks for your question. The answer is, it depends. If the vehicle will be off during the entire period, it should be fine. If the vehicle will be running during this period, you run a serious risk of overcharging. With the vehicle running, it takes only a short time to recharge the unit. Care must be taken not to overcharge. Thanks, Jim from Clore Automotive

  2. I’m right in the process of upgrading my JNC660, installing a charger with the circuit board which mine never had , also a new battery & making all new wiring ! Q – Using the cord from cigarette lighter port , can this overcharge since that isn’t connected thru the circuit board ?

  3. Hello, I just purchased my JNC 660. I have a Mazda Miata which has the battery in the trunk. There really isn’t any unpainted metal anywhere in the trunk. What do you suggest if I shouldn’t use the negative battery post? Or can I use the negative battery post if I’m really, really careful?

    Thanks!

    1. Mary – Thanks for your question. That is a tough situation. We would always recommend finding a proper ground. In a pinch, you could connect to both battery posts until you find a proper ground. We would suggest, when doing so, to wave a piece of cardboard or a magazine/newspaper around the battery prior to connection to dissipate any gases that may have been exhausted by the battery. Then, on you nexxt trip to the dealership, ask them what they use for a ground back there. They must have a trick (hidden grounding point). Thanks, Jim from Clore Automotive

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