In some cases, the jump starter replaces the need for jumper cables and another car battery to boost the battery in your car and turn the engine over. The jump starter is a small rechargeable battery that has two alligator clamps much like jumper cables. The cables attach to the car battery and give the low battery a boost of peak amps that help the battery turn the starter and start the engine. A jump starter is especially handy when there are no other cars around or late at night when you don't wish to bother anyone.
Jump starters only store so much power. You have to recharge them by plugging them in, much like a rechargeable battery. From the moment you unplug them, they slowly begin to lose their power. Though it takes a considerable amount of time, the peak amp output they deliver will boost most low batteries. However, they will not necessarily restore a dead battery. Some jump starters might deliver up to 1,700 peak amps, but if the battery is dead, it still might not be enough to turn the engine over. You have one shot with a jump starter to boost the battery of your vehicle. If it's not enough, the jump starter is not going to charge your battery like a battery charger or jumper cables connected to another car battery would. They're handy and recommended for road side service, but they need to be maintained and stored properly to maximize their optimum potential. And if you're not taking care of your battery or leaving your lights on, it's just another added responsibility that people tend to ignore until they need it and then it fails them.
Jump starters come in many sizes, brands and costs. The more you pay, the better the product. An inexpensive generic brand jump starter will deliver its worth when the time calls for it. While some models come with handy gadgets such as portable air compressors and flashlights, these add-on functions raise the cost of the device, but not necessarily the quality of the jump starter itself. When shopping for one, find the model that is big enough to put out optimum peak amps and hold its charge for longer periods. Do not leave the charger in your vehicle for extended periods, especially in the winter. The cold weather could crack the plastic coating covering the alligator clamp wires and the cold will also drain the jump starter much quicker. Keep the jump starter stored in a dry cool place and keep it charged when needed and don't forget to bring it with you on long trips. It might be wise not to abandon the jumper cables until you develop a sense of what a jump starter can do.
