Portable battery jump starter

Since you are in Canada simply go into Canadian Tire. They sell lots of boost packs. I currently have and Eliminator brand one. It will start a V8. I keep it in the truck all the time we are travelling. I check the state of charge about once a month. It usually takes a shot bit of top up charging but it is always high enough to start an engine.

MrWizard wrote:
if the gauge is right, that battery is NOT fully carged

full charge on a normal battery is 12.7 ~ 12.8v ( down here )

don't know how much voltage drop per cell, cold weather up there causes

Its just el cheapo gage,,so it may not be very acurate,,mind you I had radio on so that uses bit of juice..

Theres also green yellow and red warning lights,,its interesting to watch how it works,,sometimes when driving it stays in red then goes green again,,the alternator must be charging when the motor is running,,so Im not sure why the red even comes on..
Maybe the car computer uses some power also..most important truck runs like a dream in any weather,,thats what counts..

I'm gifted a jump pack about every year or two by owners that forget to charge them and the battery goes South. All of the ones I have performed surgery on contain a small, sealed lead acid battery.

Since I now have a few automotive batteries in storage, I keep them charged and will carry one along on an extended trip. My vehicles all carry a set of jumper cables. My travel trailer has solar charging so as long as the sun shines, I have a lot of 12V power available.