Hi all. Motorhome (3 yr old Autotrail 634 - Fiat Ducato 2.0 L Euro6 diesel)in storage with solar panel switched to vehicle batter charge. But looks like battery may not be holding charge properly after being stuck off road for so long - nearly didn't start this morn. Any experience of ion lith Jump starter packs e.g.GB40 1000A NOCO Jump Starter? Rgds
we just keep a fully charged battery at home, and this sorts out both our diesel cars never found a decent pack capable of the levels needed to start our largest one, which is a much bigger engine than your moho
Bumping this thread - just become aware of jump starter/ tyre inflator units, of which there seem to be many on eBay. Looks like it might be more compact than the compressor and jump leads I normally carry, plus more convenient. I’m guessing it’s one of those areas where the technology is improving.
Anyone have experience of those at the cheaper end of the market?
As well as battery being maintained by trickle from solar I wouldn't travel without a powerbank jump starter. The prospect of being somewhere remote possibly with no phone signal without a high degree of self reliance isn't an option. Also carry conventional heavy duty jumpers, tow rope & wireless inflator.
We're also getting an alternator charger to fast charge our Ecoflow power bank when driving. In this setup the Ecoflow can also be used to charge the battery I believe.
Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 27/3/2026
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Anyone have experience of those at the cheaper end of the market?
I've got a 'cheap' Lidl middle isle one. IIRC supposed to start up to 2L petrol, but only time I've used in anger is on a neighbour's 1.3L Nissan where car battery would do no more than give a clunk with the engagement of starter motor, but not turn engine over. It worked and got it started, but it seemed like it ONLY JUST worked! TBH from that experience I wouldn't have confidence on a much larger engine with a completely dead battery, it may give enough boost on a tired and lazy battery that was turning engine over slowly!
I bought it as much as a small power bank as a jump starter, and my car is only a 1.2L 3 Cylinder engine, so it would probably cope with that OK.
Mine recommends giving it a boost charge once a month, so really not a case of throw in the boot and forget about until maybe needed some long time later!
Can't complain about it really, didn't cost much, very compact so fits in car easily, sort of done it's job, but like most things, don't believe all the claims of it's potential at the extremes of performance! If I had a bigger engine, I'd be looking for one that coped with at least an engine near twice the size! It's a Lithium battery and their performance deteriorates rapidly at low temperature, so you really need to factor that in, when you are likely to need it most it will be at it's worst performance!
Or have a look at the Overlander Power Bank. We got one (without the solar panel) when our CMax started getting iffy. They are very helpful answering questions about suitability for intended use. https://www.mobilesolarchargers.co.uk/shop/details/overland-plus
Once charged up, if not used the charge lasts seemingly forever.
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Topic: Diesel engine jump starter packs
via mobile 19/6/2020 at 3:43pm
