Best 12 volt jump start pack for 1.9 non turbo diesel engine

Post by **vwstanley66** » 10 Jul 2006, 21:28

I want to buy a 12 volt jump start pack for my 1.9 non turbo diesel van. Does anyone know if these are powerful enough to start my van? what is the minimum amps needed for the job?
Regards

Post by **HarryMann** » 10 Jul 2006, 21:36

Sorry, can't help on that, but a good battery should spin it over for a good 5 minutes , mine does, 'cos at times its needed to - duff glo plugs.

Not sure you can even make much sense of a straight amps figure to start, because they skyrocket for a second as the starter kicks in (300A +)... but steady state Amps, I can tell you that the best the AA arrived with (and thats quite some kit) won't start one easily on a sub-zero day if the glo-plugs have gone and she's not in the best of health. Wild guess, for a couple of minutes cranking - 60~100 Amps... as after that, we were cranking mine almost off his alternator

Post by **torz** » 11 Jul 2006, 06:15

I had this problem last winter.....

So I bought one from http://www.sterlinghouse.co.uk for £25 and a fiver for postage.......... it did start my van more than a few times with charging inbetween.............I have a 1.6TD.

But eventually the battery gave up the ghost so I splashed out on a new very heavy duty starter battery with a 10 yr guarantee.
Cost me about £70 but it's been a godsend, starts everytime without fail...

If its the battery, then change it.

Hope that helps

Post by **HarryMann** » 11 Jul 2006, 12:44

Perzaxtly!

One good battery is worth half a dozen gizmos, IMHO...

and AA recovery, with Homestart is worth a vanfull of spares and tools