Automotive Jump Starters, And It's Many Practical Uses

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Automotive Jump Starters

In the "good old days", starting a car with a dead battery meant flagging down a motorist and using a set of jumper cables to "borrow" enough electricity from the healthy car to start the dead one.

The process is safe when performed properly, but has so many opportunities for a mishap (resulting in sparks, fire, or an exploding battery) that amateurs these days are often discouraged from even trying.

Fortunately enough now, there's a much safer option: the portable jump starter. These units contain a compact battery and a pair of cables. The compact models are about the size of a lunch box; bigger units can be as big as a book bag.

How To 

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More Uses 

Most of the time, jump starters are used when cars refuse to start due to poor maintenance, not winterizing your car properly fo winter or a simple mistake of leaving your headlights on overnight. However, there are several other cases when a jump-starter can come in handy:

Cold Weather: The guys on a popular automotive radio show recently recommended using a jump-starter (stored indoors) as a handy way to start a frozen car on a sub-zero winter morning.

Motorcycles / Riding Mowers / ATVs: If you own a vehicle that doesn't get driven much, it's not unusual to discover that its battery has died in the weeks or months since you last drove it.

Many jump-starters also have other functionality, such as air compressors, flashlights, or conventional AC outlets for plug-in items, making them extremely useful little tools.

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Automotive Jump Starters On the Blogs

Black & Decker JUS350B 350 Amp Jump Starter
Black & Decker 350 Amp Jump Starter is designed to offer maximum performance and jumpstarting the vehicle in a quicker way. It features an innovative low-profile design for easy storage within vehicle or garage. This starter has a ...
Wagan EL2250 Portable Two-Way Auto Jump-Starter with Flashlight ...
Auto Jump Starter - 400 cranking Amp with charge level indicator button and 400 Amp heavy duty booster clampsAir compressor - 275 PSI high power motor that.
Black & Decker VEC010BD Start It 300 Amp Jump Starter
The Black & Decker Jump-Starter has 300 instant amps to start your car in the unlikely event that your battery goes dead. There is always a chance that you will not be able to find someone to jump-start your car, even if you have a set ...
Black & Decker JUS500B 500 Amp Jump Starter
Black & Decker 500 Amp Jump Starter is designed for instant starting to offer maximum performance and jumpstarting the vehicle in a quicker way. It features an innovative low-profile design for easy storage within vehicle or garage. ...

Where to shop 

Jump Starters, Battery Chargers & Portable Power @ Discount-Auto-Parts
Discount Automotive Parts and Accessories - Shop for everyday low and discounted prices on thousands of automotive parts and accessories including car-care, exterior and interior accessories, oils and fluids, automotive performance and replacement parts, tires, wheel, tool, equipment and more. Shop for Discount Automotive Parts and Accessories at discounted and everyday low prices.

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Favorites in Automotive Jump Starters at Amazon.com

Black & Decker START IT VEC012CBD 450 Amp Jump Starter/Inflator

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Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $89.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Black & Decker VEC010BD Start It 300 Amp Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $49.99

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Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Jump Starter & Emergency Power Source with Radio

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Amazon Price: $134.64 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $189.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Black & Decker VEC026BD Electromate 400 Jump-Starter with Built-In Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $119.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Black & Decker JUS500IB 500 Amp Jump Starter with Inflator

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Amazon Price: $87.16 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $144.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

 

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Black & Decker 

Black & Decker START IT VEC012CBD 450 Amp Jump Starter/Inflator

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Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $89.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Black & Decker VEC026BD Electromate 400 Jump-Starter with Built-In Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $119.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Black & Decker VEC010BD Start It 300 Amp Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $49.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Black & Decker JUS500IB 500 Amp Jump Starter with Inflator

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Amazon Price: $87.16 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $144.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Black & Decker JUS500B 500 Amp Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $79.57 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $125.31

Usually ships in 24 hours

Clore Automotive 

Clore Automotive ES5000 12 Volt Portable Battery Booster Pack

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Amazon Price: $153.10 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $286.08

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Solar PL2216 Pro-Logix 16 Amp Automatic Battery Charger

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Amazon Price: $101.45 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $189.07

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Clore Automotive ES2500KE 12 Volt Portable Battery Booster Pack

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Amazon Price: $118.26 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $147.19

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Clore Automotive JNCXFE X-Force 12-Volt Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $419.07 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $688.52

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Clore Automotive 1007 6/12 Volt 6/6/2 Amp Battery Charger

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Amazon Price: $39.75 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $70.44

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Duracell 

Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Jump Starter & Emergency Power Source with Radio

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Amazon Price: $134.64 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $189.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Duracell DPP-300EP Powerpack 300 with Built-in 300-watt Inverter and 250 PSI Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $75.97 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $99.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Duracell DJUMP-17 Instant Jumpstart System

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Amazon Price: $68.97 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $89.99

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Duracell Powerpack 450 Jumpstarter with Built-In 150 PSI Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $124.69 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $159.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

K&K Jumpstart 

K&K Jumpstart 990681 Jump N Carry 660 12 Volt Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $296.99

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

K&K Jumpstart 999058 Jump N Carry 1224 12/24 Volt Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $425.00 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $719.98

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

K&K Jumpstart 990056 Jump N Carry 4000 12 Volt Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $112.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $214.78

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

K & K JUMPSTART JNC300XL 900 Peak Amp Ultraportable 12 Volt Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $86.54 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Usually ships in 2-3 business days

K & K JUMPSTART JNCAIR 1700 Peak Amp 12 Volt Jump Starter With Air

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Amazon Price: $373.10 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Usually ships in 2-3 business days

Motor Trend 

Motor Trend 11-427 Mini Jumpstart Combo Pack

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Amazon Price: $50.90 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Motor Trend 11-406 Mini Jumpstart

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Amazon Price: $34.57 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Motor Trend 11-410 Power Center Jumpstart with Compressor

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Amazon Price: $84.16 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Schumacher 

Schumacher IP-125 Instant Power Jump Starter With 12 Amp Hour Battery

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Amazon Price: $63.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $104.20

Usually ships in 24 hours

Schumacher IPD-1800 Instant Power Jump-Starter with Docking Station

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Amazon Price: $88.75 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $174.50

Usually ships in 24 hours

Schumacher IP-95C Jump Starter & Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $69.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $69.99

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Schumacher IP-1850FL Instant Power Jump Starter With 12 Volt Flex Light

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Amazon Price: $85.31 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $165.85

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Schumacher IPD-1000 Instant Power Docking Station Jump Starter with Work Light

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Amazon Price: $44.18 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $89.99

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Stanley 

Stanley DPS109 Digital Portable Power Station - Jump Starter, Compressor and Power Inverter

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Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $99.99

Stanley J309 300 Amp Jumper

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Amazon Price: $49.24 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $49.99

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Stanley J45C09 450 Amp Jumper with Compressor

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Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $79.99

Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.

Universal Power Group 

UPG D5894 Starter Up Marine 400 Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $68.06 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $99.95

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UPG D5805 Starter Up 400 Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $59.33 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $99.95

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UPG 71910 Starter Up 120 Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $64.98 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $73.95

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UPG 71715 Charge-N-Start Jump Starter

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Amazon Price: $80.67 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $126.95

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Vector 

Portable 400-Amp Jump Starter - Boosts 24 Cars wihout Recharging

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Amazon Price: $74.95 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $119.99

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Power On Board VECTOR Rechargeable Power Center AC - DC Portable Power

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Amazon Price: $129.97 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Wagan 

Wagan 400-Watt Power Dome EX Jumpstarter with Built-In Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $106.53 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $160.00

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Wagan EL2250 Portable Two-Way Auto Jump-Starter with Flashlight

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Amazon Price: $51.43 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $79.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Wagan EL2544 500 Amp Jumpstarter with Built-In Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $70.25 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $99.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Wagan 900 Amp Battery Jumper with Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $80.26 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $109.95

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Wagan 2485 200-Watt Power Dome NX Jump Starter & Emergency Power Source with Built-In Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $139.99 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $149.95

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Xantrex 

Wagan 400-Watt Power Dome EX Jumpstarter with Built-In Air Compressor

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Amazon Price: $106.53 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $160.00

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Car Care Guides 

Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair (Hardcover)

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Amazon Price: $69.95 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Auto Repair For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

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Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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The Profitable Auto Detail Shop - How to Start and Run a Successful Auto Detailing Business

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Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Auto Body Repair Technology

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Amazon Price: $126.44 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
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Jeep Wrangler Automotive Repair Manual: Models Covered : All Jeep Wrangler Models 1987 Through 1995 (Haynes Auto Repair Manuals)

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Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $17.95

See it on Video 

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Automotive Jump Starters in the News 

Every School Every Thursday - West Des Moines, Clive and Waukee
Fifty-two Central Campus students competed in the 18th annual Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Automotive Skills Contest recently at the DMACC ...
Bad battery or ailing alternator? Car is flatlining despite jump-start efforts
Ray: If you can't jump-start the car, then you can be relatively sure that it's a bad starter, or one of the other things we mentioned. ...
Noble M600
Back at Barwell, we meet the boss of Noble Automotive, American Peter Dyson. He took over in August 2006, at the time the company was developing the M15 ...
Blown engine decides SA Rally title
Cleenwerck was well in the lead until 150m from the flying finish of the final stage when the CitiGolf refused to climb a big jump after an air sensor ...

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