What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Curious Hound]

I just got the Audew 1000A jump starter for the 2011 today. The current jump started with the lead acid battery is dying a slow death and it's time to replace it before I get stuck somewhere with a dead jump starter. I haven't had to use one on one of my vehicles in years but sooner or later.... Now that I've said something, it's probably going to be sooner than later. LOL

When you need it, it will be at home, plugged in and charging and you will be miles from home.

 

[Roert42]

When you need it, it will be at home, plugged in and charging and you will be miles from home.

Or in the other truck. Because, you know, I drive that one most of the time and was just taking this one for groceries.

 

[sgtsandman]

When you need it, it will be at home, plugged in and charging and you will be miles from home.

Or in the other truck. Because, you know, I drive that one most of the time and was just taking this one for groceries.

Each vehicle has their own dedicated jumper pack and a quality, old fashioned set of jumper cables. I try very hard to make sure the pack gets charged over night and put back in the vehicle it belongs to before it goes anywhere. But there is that whole Murphy's Law. That law is part of the reason I don't just carry jumper cables. With jumper cables, you need another battery or a vehicle to provide power. Fine is you stick to where people are. Not so great if you are where people aren't.

 

[Rick W]

Aren’t those jumper boxes pretty low amp draw? Could you buy a small inverter and just keep it plugged in in the vehicle all the time? Maybe rig it to a “when truck is running” circuit so it doesn’t draw down the battery. It’d be constantly charged and constantly present, yes/no?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I did a lot of measuring and figuring and scheming on mine tonight...

 

[Rick W]

I made up a few red test panels for the two trucks and trailers:

And I painted the accents on the 87 4wd steelies, and then I stacked them over a piece of angle for air to get in from below, and then I put on my accelerated paint drying machine. I didn’t get this on Craigslist, I actually picked it up at Goodwill for $3

 

[Dirtman]

I made up a few red test panels for the two trucks and trailers:

View attachment 53355

And I painted the accents on the 87 4wd steelies, and then I stacked them over a piece of angle for air to get in from below, and then I put on my accelerated paint drying machine. I didn’t get this on Craigslist, I actually picked it up at Goodwill for $3

View attachment 53356
View attachment 53357

I vote for safety red. It looks the best and lets face facts, it's just the safer option.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Aren’t those jumper boxes pretty low amp draw? Could you buy a small inverter and just keep it plugged in in the vehicle all the time? Maybe rig it to a “when truck is running” circuit so it doesn’t draw down the battery. It’d be constantly charged and constantly present, yes/no?

I know mine came with a cigar lighter adapter for charging... but you have to remember to plug it in. They also recommended once a month to plug it into a wall outlet and give it a full charge. I agree there is probably a better way... maybe if i wired a charging outlet behind the seats in the cab. I'll have to read over the instructions again and form a plan... I'm not to sure that constant charging is good for it.

Edit... I also carry a set of jumper cables.

 

[Curious Hound]

Aren’t those jumper boxes pretty low amp draw? Could you buy a small inverter and just keep it plugged in in the vehicle all the time? Maybe rig it to a “when truck is running” circuit so it doesn’t draw down the battery. It’d be constantly charged and constantly present, yes/no?

Doesn't make sense to me.

Rely in the old, possibly dying vehicle battery to maintain a charge on the "here I am to save you!" Battery by putting a constant drain on the vehicle battery.

 

[Rick W]

Doesn't make sense to me.

Hence my thought of investing in a cheap 110v inverter, and wiring it to a circuit that’s only hot when the truck is running: It charges from the alternator, not battery. it doesn’t draw on the battery when the truck is sitting. It’s always topped off with 110v. And, you only have to leave it in the truck in the cold weather. If you’re battery is worse than that....

 

[Roert42]

Hence my thought of investing in a cheap 110v inverter, and wiring it to a circuit that’s only hot when the truck is running: It charges from the alternator, not battery. it doesn’t draw on the battery when the truck is sitting. It’s always topped off with 110v. And, you only have to leave it in the truck in the cold weather. If you’re battery is worse than that....

I don't think portable batttery packs like being on charge all the time, like a phone or computer, unplug it and it doesn't hold a charge.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I just throw mine on the charger when I think about it.

I have started my tractor a couple times with one charge without going flat so even if it isn't exactly charged 110% I think it would still start a normal vehicle a couple times.

 

[Bgunner]

Drove it for the first time in close to 2 weeks and then only put about 10 miles on it. I'm pretty sure my speedometer cable is in need of replacement as it is bouncing around and has only been happening since it has gotten cold. So for now my phone will have to my speedo because it is just to cold to change the cable. About 4 months ago I had a light go out in the cluster, it's the one that lights the high end of the speedo and low end of the tach, so this just gives me a reason to change the bulbs since the cluster will be messed with anyway.

 

[Roert42]

I just throw mine on the charger when I think about it.

I have started my tractor a couple times with one charge without going flat so even if it isn't exactly charged 110% I think it would still start a normal vehicle a couple times.

I have a little one, like the size of a portable Hard drive. If the battery is just low i can start my Grand Marquis about a dozen times before I loose a bar of charge.
However I can not start anything if the battery is dead flat, not enough power to turn an engine over by itself.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a noinco, kinda biggerish physical size. Not sure on specs.