Dont Get Stranded Again! How Long Will Jump Starter Hold a Charge
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There's nothing more frustrating than attempting to use your jump starter in an emergency only to discover that it's not charged. Whether you find yourself with a dead car battery on the side of the road or you are experiencing a power outage at home, a jump starter can be a lifesaver. But how long should it hold it's charge?
The length of time that a jump starter can hold a charge varies depending on the specific model of the jump starter and its battery capacity. Some jump starters may be able to hold a charge for several months, while others can only hold a charge for a few weeks. It is important to check the manufacturer's specifications or consult with the manufacturer directly to determine the specific length of time that your jump starter can hold a charge for.
This is why it is important to maintain your jump starter correctly, because in an emergency if it's not charged and ready to go, it can feel like all hope is lost, and we don't want to see that dead jump starter ruining your day so let us dive a little deeper into what you can do to maintain your jump starter and keep it fully charged.
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How Long Can a Jump Starter Hold a Charge?
There are several factors that can impact how long your jump starter will be able to hold it's charge, these include the age and condition of the jump starter itself, the type and condition of the battery that your jump starter uses and how frequency you use your jump starter, additionally environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures and humidity, can play a part in reducing how your jump starter's battery will be able to hold it's charge.
You also want to take the time to ensure to give your Jump Starter proper maintenance, and when not in use that it is stored securely, as both these factor's are an easy way to ensure you get the best possible charge life out of your Jump Starter.
Understanding and addressing these factors can ensure that the jump starter will always be ready to provide a quick and reliable boost when needed. Lets take a look at these factors in a little more detail.
Quality of the Jump Starter
The quality of the materials that are used in a jump starter's constructed can significantly impact the charge life of the device. Jump starter's constructed using higher quality materials will typically have a longer charge life over jump starter's constructed from poorer quality ones.
This is especially evident when it comes to the electrical components used in the jump starter. Jump starter's with a higher-quality battery and charging system will typically have a longer charge life than one's constructed with cheaper, lower-quality components.
So when you are researching your next jump starter remember it is important to consider the quality of materials used, as this can have a significant impact on charge life and overall effectiveness of the device.
Age of the Jump Starter
All electrical devices degrade with age, this is also true for your jump starter and it can have a significant impact on its charge life. As a jump starter gets older, its internal components and batteries may wear out and become less efficient, leading to a shorter charge life.
It is important to consider the age and usage of a jump starter when determining its charge life, as this can impact its effectiveness and reliability. Proper maintenance and storage can also help extend the charge life of a jump starter.
Frequency of Use
The number of times a jump starter is used can also affect its charge life, as repeatedly using and recharging the device can put strain on the batteries.
All batteries have what's called a charge cycle, which is the amount of times your jump starters battery can be drained and recharged. This will vary depending upon the type of battery that you have in your jump starter, but the longevity of many jump starter batteries will depend on light discharges and proper recharge cycles.
So if a jump starter is used infrequently, its battery will retain its charge for a longer period of time.
It is important to keep this in mind when using a jump starter and to ensure that it is properly charged and maintained to extend its charge life.
Storage Conditions
It is important to pay attention to the storage conditions of your jump starter to ensure that it is always in good condition and ready to use when needed.
Temperature has a great effect to the ability for batteries to function properly, this is why if the jump starter is stored in a hot or humid environment, it can cause the battery to degrade more quickly. It is recommended that you always store your jump starter in a cool, dry place as this can help to extend its charge life.
Dirt can be another enemy of your jump starter, storing you jump starter is a case or bag can reduce the ability of dust and dirt particles to get into the jump starter and effect the electronics.
Rough treatment of your jump starter is certainly another thing that you want to try and avoid, storing your jump starter security so that it can avoid bangs and scrapes will certainly help the longevity of your device. With the newer Lithium Ion jump starters avoiding impacts, that could damage the battery, is highly advisable as puncturing a lithium ion battery can lead to a fire.
Average Charge Life of Jump Starters
When it comes to choosing a jump starter there are three main battery types available on the market to consider, which are, lead acid, AGM (absorbed glass mat), and lithium ion.
Due to the different chemical compositions of these batteries the average charge life of an individual jump starter will vary depending on the type used, with lead acid having the shortest lifespan, AGM in the middle, and lithium ion having the longest.
It is important to consider the charge life of a jump starter when making a purchase, as a longer lasting jump starter means fewer instances of being stranded with a dead battery and less need for replacements.
How to Extend the Charge Life of Your Jump Starter
Store the Jump Starter in a Cool, Dry Place
As we discussed earlier keeping your jump starter in a cool, dry place, can extend the charge life of your device and ensure that it will be ready to use when you need it most.
Extreme temperatures and moisture can damage the internal electrical components of your jump starter, causing potential shorts which could lead to a lose of charge or even a draining of the battery.
By following this simple tip, you can ensure that your jump starter is always ready to go when you need it.
Charge the Jump Starter Regularly, Even if it's Not in Use
Your jump starters battery will lose it's charge over time, in order to maintain it's battery at peak performance you will need to regularly charge your jump starter.
While this may sound counterintuitive, charging your jump starter regularly, even when it's not in use, can actually help to extend the charge life of your jump starter's battery.
This charging maintenance is especially true for lead acid, agm, and lithium ion jump starters, which can all benefit from regular charging to maintain their maximum capacity.
So, if you want to ensure that your jump starter is always ready to go when you need it, make sure to charge it regularly, even when it's not in use.
Avoid Overcharging the Jump Starter
Even though we have just discussed the benefits of regularly charging your jump starter in order to extend their charge life, it is important that this charging is done so as to avoid overcharging the jump starter.
Overcharging can be detrimental to all types of jump starters, including lead acid, AGM, and lithium ion. It can lead to reduced performance and shortened battery life.
To avoid overcharging, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and use. Additionally, it is important to unplug the jump starter when it is fully charged and not leave it plugged in for extended periods of time.
Remember you can help extend the charge life of your jump starter through regularly charging just avoid overcharging your jump starter.
What to Do if Your Jump Starter Won't Hold a Charge
There may come a time when your jump starter just won't hold a charge and you may find yourself left stranded, with a dead battery. Don't panic! There are a few things that you can try before needing to consider buying a new jump starter.
First, check the battery itself. You want to make sure it is fully charged and that the cables are properly connected. It's also a good idea to clean the terminals of your car battery with a wire brush, this will remove any dirt or debris that may be preventing a proper connection.
Next, consider the age of your jump starter. If it's been in use for a while, it may be time for a replacement. As we have discussed jump starters do have a limited lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced.
If those steps have not fix the issue, check to see if your jump starter has a fuse, if so you may want to check the fuse and see if it's blown, If so you will need to replace the fuse in order for the jump starter to work properly.
If none of these solutions work, it may be time for you to consider purchasing a new jump starter. If you do decide that it is time for a new Jump Starter then look for a jump starter with a higher battery capacity and durable construction to ensure it will last for a long time.
In summary, if your jump starter won't hold a charge, first check the battery, age of the jump starter and jump starter fuse. If none of these solutions work, it may be time to invest in that new jump starter. Hopefully with a little bit of troubleshooting, you'll be back on the road in no time.
Final Thoughts
The charge life of a jump starter, as we have seen, can be affected by a variety of factors which can include the battery capacity, the rate of discharge, the type of battery, and the ambient working temperature.
Avoiding the frustration of a flat jump starter is everyone's goal, by understanding the aforementioned factors and following proper charging and storage techniques you will give yourself the best chance to get the best out of our jump starters and avoid feeling let down.
Doing so will help to extend the charge life of your jump starter and ensure that it is always ready when you need it.
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