Failed Batteries & Jump Start Boost Pack Question

[morsetaper2]

My last two battery failures have gone something like this:

Both times car runs/starts perfectly fine, battery is nearing end of, or maybe just past its warranty period. We're in warm weather months, all is normal. Starts fine, battery appears strong and normal.

#1 Failure: One time drove to grocery store, was in the store 15-20 minutes, come out, start the truck, turn key, hear a click, and nothing. No lights or anything. Got somebody to give me a jump, still wouldn't start. Left jumpers connected holding donor battery engine at fast idle for couple mins in attempt to charge battery. No go, still totally dead.

#2 Failure: This latest time back in September, I came home parked in driveway at home in eve. Go into house for eve. Come out next morning, go to start the truck, turn key, click, nothing, totally dark, no lights. Nothing. Put my battery charger on it, wouldn't take a charge. Totally dead.

Both times, new battery was needed. I'm assuming each time a cell in the battery dropped out. Or maybe Accumulated debris in battery shorted the battery, or a plate broke away inside and shorted battery. Who knows. Just some sort of catastrophic failure internal to the battery.

Since jumper cables and battery charger didn't help in each case. Is it fair to assume one of these battery jump/booster packs wouldn't work either to start car were batteries have internal failures to the point they are totally dead?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Both times the description you give leads me to believe a bad battery cable connection, could be either +ve or -ve, even bad corrosion under the insulation. That being the case, a jump pack would not help.

 

[morsetaper2]

Definitely 100% NOT a battery cable connection or corrosion issue. Both times the battery had failed internally causing the sudden no start/won't take a charge condition and needed replacement.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Definitely 100% NOT a battery cable connection or corrosion issue. Both times the battery had failed internally causing the sudden no start/won't take a charge condition and needed replacement.

Then a jump pack would not help.

 

[morsetaper2]

Then a jump pack would not help.

Kinda what I figured.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I was thinking about this. It may actually start but without a battery you might get runaway charging and cook the alternator regulator at the least. A good battery is an integral part of the charging system. If the battery is bad it can lead to making the alternator bad too, and vice versa.

 

[morsetaper2]

I was thinking about this. It may actually start but without a battery you might get runaway charging and cook the alternator regulator at the least. A good battery is an integral part of the charging system. If the battery is bad it can lead to making the alternator bad too, and vice versa.

While I was not certain, I was thinking that exact scenario might well be the case. A properly working charging system always needs a "sink" to dump the excess voltage/amperage that is being generated by the alternator that is not being used. And a place to draw that power from (a "good battery") when it needs it as well.

I was considering if I should invest in a boost pack or not. I think I have convinced myself that jumper cables are good enough. My Ranger warns me when the headlights are on once I turn the key off. And there is the odd time I might leave the dome light on, but it turns off by itself after about 10 mins. While such a power source might be convenient to have, I don't feel like I have a need for one of those boost packs.

I've owned three different Ranger XLT's since 1999... a 1999, a 2001, and my current 2011. Not once did I ever leave a light on or did I screw up to inadvertently drain a battery that it needed a jump or charging to get it back to proper charge. They've all (that I can remember) been sudden failures or I've replaced them if they've gone much past their warranty period.

Battery manufacturers have figured out exactly how to make the cheapest battery possible. And it's very rare they will last much longer than their warranty period. It's not like the old days where you might install a battery that seemingly lived years beyond it's warranty. Anyway, I'm almost 67 yo and that has been my experience w/ automotive batteries in recent years. I'll just stick w/ a set of jumper cables under the seat.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

A good jump pack can be really handy if you own a lot of stuff but good jumper cables are arguably better as long as you can get another vehicle to jump start.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I guess I have never had a battery so dead it wouldn't jump start...

 

[morsetaper2]

A good jump pack can be really handy if you own a lot of stuff but good jumper cables are arguably better as long as you can get another vehicle to jump start.

I'll take the chance and assume w/ cables under the seat I could convince someone to give me a jump if I need it. And there is always Uber or a call to someone for a ride back to home.

I own my truck, and a motorcycle. So I don't have much in the way of a vehicle fleet.

What else would a jump pack be good for?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have a good set of 25' cables in each of my 2 vehicles, its all I need. I can reach all the way to a vehicle parked behind me if needed.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'll take the chance and assume w/ cables under the seat I could convince someone to give me a jump if I need it. And there is always Uber or a call to someone for a ride back to home.

I own my truck, and a motorcycle. So I don't have much in the way of a vehicle fleet.

What else would a jump pack be good for?

Mine has a USB outlet to charge a phone... also has a flashlight built into it.

I don't think I have ever actually used it on a vehicle but it travels under the seat on trips. I also use it to charge electronics while camping, it easily recharges with a USB once we are back on the road again.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I'll take the chance and assume w/ cables under the seat I could convince someone to give me a jump if I need it. And there is always Uber or a call to someone for a ride back to home.

I own my truck, and a motorcycle. So I don't have much in the way of a vehicle fleet.

What else would a jump pack be good for?

Believe it or not, most of the time my jump packs get used is for starting a lawn tractor or other equipment. Or when a battery starts getting weak as soon as the weather gets cold. Jump packs get shared with my parents too and between them and me we have a total of about 8 acres to care for so yeah. My buddy Paul has a couple jump packs but he also does some mechanic stuff in addition to his fleet of vehicles.

Jumper cables are good, and I’ve been able to start things with those and my F-150 with its 140 amp alternator that a jump pack alone wouldn’t start. I have a set of I think 16’ 4 gauge. I have a couple shorter ones and an 8 gauge one and I’m not impressed with the short/thin ones. 16-24’ long and 4-2 gauge I think is about ideal. I’ve actually thought about modifying most of my vehicles with a plug connection front and rear so I wouldn’t even have to pop the hood.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Believe it or not, most of the time my jump packs get used is for starting a lawn tractor or other equipment. Or when a battery starts getting weak as soon as the weather gets cold. Jump packs get shared with my parents too and between them and me we have a total of about 8 acres to care for so yeah. My buddy Paul has a couple jump packs but he also does some mechanic stuff in addition to his fleet of vehicles.

Same.

I do really like being able to charge my phone, being out in the sticks and in/out of service can drain the battery fast. If you have a problem and can't charge your phone with the vehicle... even if it is beyond saving with the jump pack being able to charge your phone to get help would be nice.

I carry both cables and the jump pack on trips.