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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, 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.
To start a car, simply hook the red cable to the positive terminal of the car's dead battery and the black cable to the negative terminal, then start the car as usual. Once the car is running, disconnect the jump starter from the vehicle and you're ready to go.
In the Spotlight
HOW TO Jump Start a Car
Black & Decker VEC026BD Electromate 400
- 450 instant amps for jump-starts without the need for another vehicle
- Keyless on/off power safety switch for added safety
- Reverse hook-up warning alarm to prevent damage to vehicle or electronics
- Built-in, ultra-bright LED light for emergency roadside assistance
- Two year warranty
Black & Decker VEC026BD Electromate 400 Jump-Starter with Built-In Air Compressor
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Amazon Price: $108.88 (as of 10/07/2008)
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Black & Decker START IT VEC012CBD 450 Amp
- 12-volt DC accessory outlet to power and/or recharge DC electronics
- Keyless on/off power safety switch for added safety
- Reverse hook-up warning alarm to prevent damage to vehicle or electronics
- Built-in, ultra-bright LED light for emergency roadside assistance
- Two year warranty
Black & Decker START IT VEC012CBD 450 Amp Jump Starter/Inflator
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Amazon Price: $79.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $89.99
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Black & Decker BB7B Simple Start
- Built-in 12 volt DC charging port for charging cell phones
- Built-in, ultra-bright LED light for night time emergency roadside assistance
- Compactly designed for storage; fits in most glove compartments
- No jumper cables required, charges & starts vehicle in minutes
- Rechargeable from any 12 volt DC vehicle outlet or 120 volt AC household charger
Black & Decker BB7B Simple Start 12-Volt Battery Booster
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Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
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Black & Decker VEC010BD Start It
- 300 instant amps for jump starting your vehicle in emergencies
- Power safety switch and reverse hook-up warning system for added safety
- Built-in long life LED work light for easy use and added safety
- LED battery status indicators
- 12 volt DC power outlet to power and/or recharge DC appliances
Black & Decker VEC010BD Start It 300 Amp Jump Starter
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Amazon Price: $48.93 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $49.99
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Schumacher IP-1850FL Instant Power
- Convenient built-in charger for automatic charging of internal battery
- Audible low-battery alarm sounds when battery is at less than 50% charge
- Heavy-duty copper jaw and metal clamps for solid connections to top and side post batteries
- 18 amp-hour battery delivers 850 peak amps and 250 crank assist amps
- Polyethylene case resists fuels and solvents
Schumacher IP-1850FL Instant Power Jump Starter With 12 Volt Flex Light
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Amazon Price: $44.50 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $165.85
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Schumacher IPD-1800 Instant Power
- Portable, 12-volt instant power charger
- Built-in halogen light for emergency or work zone lighting
- 18 amp-hour maintenance-free lead acid battery
- Integrated docking station provides power to start the car or truck
- LED display indicates battery charge
Schumacher IPD-1800 Instant Power Jump-Starter with Docking Station
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Amazon Price: $95.04 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $174.50
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Schumacher IPD-1000 Instant Power Docking Station
- 9A, Instant Power With Battery Docking Station & Built-In Light, Automatic Charging Docking Station Keeps Unit Fully Charged, 8 Gauge 26" Cold Weather With Sure Grip Clamps, Built-In Light For Added Convenience & Emergency Lighting, Sealed Non-Spillable Lead Acid Battery Allows Storage In Any Position, 12V Accessory Outlet With Overload & Short Circuit Protection.
Schumacher IPD-1000 Instant Power Docking Station Jump Starter with Work Light
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Amazon Price: $49.04 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $89.99
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Schumacher IP-125 Instant Power Jump Starter
- Lightweight, compact, 12 amp hour, portable power source
- Eight-gauge, 18" cables stay flexible in the coldest temperatures, and are kept safely in place on rear storage mounts
- LED indicators easily monitor charging of the internal battery
- LED's indicate when internal battery is full power, 75% charged, or 50% or less
- Sure-grip, copper jaw, 200 amp, plastic clamps for connecting to top and side post batteries
Schumacher IP-125 Instant Power Jump Starter With 12 Amp Hour Battery
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Amazon Price: $36.96 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $104.20
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Xantrex XPower Powerpack 400 Plus
- Compact portable power source that provides 400 watts AC power
- Use to jump-start vehicles, charge and operate electric devices, inflate tires
- Rugged plastic casing; includes sealed, non-spillable AGM battery
- Includes jumper cables, nozzle adapters for pumping air, AC charger, DC charger cable, accessory bag
- Measures 5.9 x 4.1 x 2.2 inches; weighs 2.4 pounds; 1-year warranty
Xantrex XPower Powerpack 400 Plus Portable Backup Power Source
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Amazon Price: $104.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $149.99
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Xantrex 852-0200 XPower Powerpack 200 Plus
- Provides up to 200 watts of AC power
- Operates 115-volt AC or 12-volt DC products anywhere
- 250 PSI air compressor for inflating tires and sports equipment
- Comes with vehicle jumper cables
- Built-in emergency light for illumination at home or on the road
Xantrex 852-0200 XPower Powerpack 200 Plus Portable Backup Power Source
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Amazon Price: $69.94 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $89.95
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Duracell DJUMP-17 Instant Jumpstart System
- Jump-start cable conveniently attached to the unit for easy use
- LED gauge for monitoring the battery state of charge for added safety
- Built-in light for emergency situations
- Lightweight unit for easy and portable use
- Operate 12-volt devices anywhere
Duracell DJUMP-17 Instant Jumpstart System
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Amazon Price: $69.04 (as of 10/07/2008)
List Price: $89.99
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Duracell DJUMP Emergency Car Starter
- Plugs into vehicle's 12-volt power outlet for easy use
- No battery clamps for safer use
- Lightweight unit with quick 10-minute charge time
- Built-in light provides illumination in emergency situations on the road and at home
- Provides 12-volt DC back up power for cell phones, notebooks digital cameras and other small portable devices
Duracell DJUMP Emergency Car Starter with Flashlight
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Amazon Price: $45.96 (as of 10/07/2008)
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Vector VEC012APM Jump Starter
- Features powerful 450 amp emergency jump starter for most vehicles
- Includes 27-inch heavy duty welder-type cable and nickel coated clamps
- Fully automatic 3-stage charging
- Reverse polarity alarm, powerful emergency worklight
- Portable, cordless, rechargeable
Vector VEC012APM Jump Starter (450 Amp)
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Amazon Price: $67.89 (as of 10/07/2008)
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More Uses
Is it a plane? No. Is it a bird? No. What is it then? It's a batmower.
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:Image: Swisher ZT2560 Zero Turn Radius 60" Riding Mower
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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Black & Decker BB7B Simple Start 12-Volt Battery Booster
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Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
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Xantrex XPower Powerpack 400 Plus Portable Backup Power Source
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Xantrex 852-0200 XPower Powerpack 200 Plus Portable Backup Power Source
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Amazon Price: $69.94 (as of 10/07/2008)
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Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt Jumpstarter, Power Inverter and Backup Power Source
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Black & Decker PS400JRB Electromate 400 Plus Jump-Starter with Built-In Radio
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