Looking for "backup starter"

Hey, Moe! · 11-14-07, 08:38

My college-age daughter's Beretta was worked on recently by a local (competent and very honest) mechanic, who replaced the alternator and a belt. She no sooner got back to college, when the car quit again, with either battery or alternator symptoms.

The mechanic apologized, and assured me that he would get it right. He did say that it might not be a bad idea to get her something he called a "backup starter," an extra battery pack she could hook up either to the terminals or the lighter socket in order to start the car if the battery failed sometime in the future.

Since I am looking for Christmas presents, it doesn't sound like a bad idea. I know that Griot's used to sell one, but I have zero experience with them.

Any opinions, thoughts, leads would be appreciated by you fellow Autopians.

corvettecrazy · 11-14-07, 09:11

Almost sounds like a jump box to me.

Jump Boxes - Battery Jump Boxes

Maybe something like that?

Normally when you replace the alternator you should replace the battery as well. A dying alt. can kill a battery pretty easily. There are a lot of things that you could check to see if something is wrong, but obviously if the car is not in your hands you cant do it.

Hey, Moe! · 11-14-07, 09:41

corvettecrazy--That's what I am looking for. Thanks!

I will be visiting my daughter on Saturday with a charged battery from the mechanic. We're going to try to get her home on that (1 1/2 hrs, all interstate).

Again, thanks for the quick response!

corvettecrazy · 11-14-07, 09:45

Check around locally, I know places like advance and such carry those jumper things. Sears may have them also.

BigJimZ28 · 11-14-07, 10:04

Yea you should be able to get one just about anywhere
(pepboys, walmart)

the big differances are the CCA and other accesories
like power inverts, compressors, lights

jshillin · 11-15-07, 02:07

You can get one for under $40 at Lowe's. I have one and it works great!

Hey, Moe! · 11-15-07, 09:15

Thanks for all the help! I have a number of places to look, courtesy of all my fine Autopian friends!

'Night, and good weekend!

tennisjon2002 · 11-15-07, 09:45

I got one at sams club, works great
it has has an air compressor

truzoom · 11-15-07, 11:30

You can also build one using a motorcycle/riding mower battery and some cables and clamps, but you would still need a battery charger to keep it charged up.