Portable Jump starter /Power bank

[Lord Voltermore]

I saw the following today in the middle aisle at Lidl's.  £29.99  .     It may be of interest to those  who have concerns about the small 12v battery  not powering the car up.

I didnt buy it as I already have a portable jump starter.  So I cant vouch for its quality. 
  I had a quick look in the box. Bulkier than mine  but I think it might fit in the mk4 centre arm rest  box ,and certainly in the under floor compartment.

Although Lidl will probably change stock on Monday  there are some new ones being sold on ebay.     Here is  Lidl's   specifications PDF (including in English)  Probably more accurate than some of the claims on ebay listings.

https://www.lidl.pl/assets/gcpf11cbbb298ff49ae991092b0f4f06720.pdf

[5thcivic]

I have one. Not required to use it in anger so far apart from charging phones and running other gadgets. It powered a 12V TV for a couple of hours while the electric was off to update the local distribution network.
It is recommeneded to charge every couple of months, even if not used, to protect the lithium long term. Made in Germany with a 3 year guarantee has got to be better than something from China.

[Fredbassett]

These jumpers are amazing . I have a Motobat one about the size of a mobile phone and used it to start my 2009 Jazz with ease. They  can jump a 2.5 litre engine!

[TwinJazz862]

I actually got this myself this week! My GE's been having some alternator issues and a relative recommended them. They're really handy cause they come in a case with the jump leads, a plug to charge it via a cigarette lighter and of course the standard charger for a wall socket. Honestly I'd recommend them big time!

[coldstart]

...
Bulkier than mine  but I think it might fit in the mk4 centre arm rest  box ,and certainly in the under floor compartment.
...

I'd like to repeat a clever thought by ninanina: If you put it the jump starter into the under floor compartment in the boot and the 12V battery is really flat, you wouldn't be able to get to it (easily!) as central locking wouldn't work either!

So, you would have to go through the rather awkward emergency unlock procedure of the hatch and/or do some contortionistic wriggling to get to the under floor compartment from the inside of the car.

I admit: I'm (still) keeping mine in the under floor compartment because I haven't figured out (yet) a clever way to fix it in the footwell under the driver's seat (which - I've been told - is the least favourite place of back-seat passengers).

[emp]

interesting topic.

here a video on jumpstarting a hybrid Honda, from 11 minutes and 14 seconds

[Lord Voltermore]

Some useful tips and warnings in EMP's video, although the jump starter used is probably too expensive and 'over the top'  for home use.

I keep my small one in the centre box. Its in the car  should I need it while away from home .(eg  airport parking)  I'm also less likely to forget  to occasionally top up its charge. I charge mine up every 3 months.(which luckily for me roughly equates to our birthdays  ,anniversary and new year. If I ever forgot those dates a flat jump starter would be the least of my problems  ) .    But charging every 2 months may be better.(  The 1st day   of odd or even months maybe) Simples.

One downside I have noticed in the pdf is a  full charge at 1 amp  can take up to 13 hours. .Probably better to top it up indoors using a phone charger  rather than rely on in-car power outlets.

[Karoq]

I saw the following today in the middle aisle at Lidl's.  £29.99  .     It may be of interest to those  who have concerns about the small 12v battery  not powering the car up.

I didnt buy it as I already have a portable jump starter.  So I cant vouch for its quality. 
  I had a quick look in the box. Bulkier than mine  but I think it might fit in the mk4 centre arm rest  box ,and certainly in the under floor compartment.

Although Lidl will probably change stock on Monday  there are some new ones being sold on ebay.     Here is  Lidl's   specifications PDF (including in English)  Probably more accurate than some of the claims on ebay listings.

https://www.lidl.pl/assets/gcpf11cbbb298ff49ae991092b0f4f06720.pdf

Just looked at the 'Middle of Lidl" no sign of it?

[5thcivic]

They are weekly offers, so other products supercede online the next week, but availability depends on your local store. They can stay in a bit longer as store stock that depends on the store and space the manager needs for new stock. If you can find any phone nos it may be worth a gamble to phone around about stock, my local once kept a battery stick vacuum for me once to come in and pick up, 200 quid less than an equivalent dyson!