Recommendations wanted for mobile battery jump start devices and Battery Monitors .

[Richnsoul]

We’ve fallen foul of the Toyota Battery problems , and Im not looking to open a can of worms that has been repeatedly  addressed here  - but we would welcome recommendations and experiences of both  power pack jump start devices and  plug in BatteryMonitoring Devices .

We are considering the Hilka Tools 83850400 jump start device and Bryte Links BM2 or Frienda monitors

for our 2019 Yaris Hybrid Sport model purchased in March and currently subject to Toyota examination.

 

Many Thanks .

[G L J]

Hi Richard

I have the Hilka power pack and can highly recommend it .Have used it om my Yaris once and also used it to help others.

It comes in a handy wallet which stores easily behind the front seat.

 

[Roy124]

I have used a 4000ma pack bought through Amazon for around £35.  It has multiple USB connectors, can charge power mobile devices, has an LED light, comes in a wallet, and holds its charge well. 

I used it to  start my Corolla after an 8 day lay-up.  I now stow in under the bonnet of my Yaris Cross. 

As for the BT Battery monitors I am ambivalent about them. They are reported to have a very limited BT range. 

If I regularly left my car unused for a week, if my car was on the drive, I might consider one.  Again Amazon would be my chosen provider as I could return it if it didn't work work for me. 

[forkingabout]

I carry one of these

Autowit Supercap2 Jump Starter - autowit

I'm not a fan of the lithium ion Battery jump packs. 

[mjjferreira]

I have made this question, and i'll do it again.

If we know that the car will be stopped for a week (or more), isn't there an easy way to disconnect the power?

For example, in my previous car (clio diesel), i just opened the bonnet and unplugged the Battery terminals.

Can't we do the same in the hybrids?

i know yaris has the Battery under the back seat, but there must be something we can disconnect to cut off the power.

[Max_Headroom]

I may be wrong but was under the impression modern cars need to be powered 24/7 as systems run even when you are not in the car.

I know this won't be popular but if you need to disconnect the Battery because it's going to be parked for a week you bought the wrong car, these are brand new £24,000 plus motors this shouldn't be an issue.

[nlee]

I can recommend the Noco boost jump starter. Very neat and we'll built units. The smallest one GB20 is more than enough for a hybrid. Look out for regular price drops on Amazon.

[Derek.w]

If you disconnect the 12 volt Battery when reconnecting some systems need tweeking like radio mobile phone its not worth the hassle.

Fully charge your Battery at home before leaving it parked up for a week in a car park.

I use a BM Battery monitor CTEK charger at home and a solar panel but at this time of year the sun it to low to give it a decent charge plus trees and other buildings are blocking most of the sunlight.

I have not left the car away from home for more than a couple of days so no idear if it be unable to start after a week or more.

 

[Mojo1010]

My car is 2016 on original Battery, I drive the car 2-3 times a week at about 2-3 hours each time. Were away for 9 days in sept and 10 days last month, came back and started no problem. If left for that long in the winter then not sure whether it will start. So it's better to have a device to jump start/trickle charge for those that don't drive so often or away for a period during the winter. 

[mjjferreira]

2 hours ago, Max_Headroom said:

I may be wrong but was under the impression modern cars need to be powered 24/7 as systems run even when you are not in the car.

I know this won't be popular but if you need to disconnect the battery because it's going to be parked for a week you bought the wrong car, these are brand new £24,000 plus motors this shouldn't be an issue.

I have two cars and only on during holidays one of them stays more than 1 week parked, because we go only in one of the cars. The rest of the year we use both cars almost every day.

When i do that, i unplugged the Battery wires. I have no issues to set up the clock and other stuff like that once i return and reconnect the wires. It's much better (€€) than paying for a brand new Battery or have to buy a charger.

But the question remains...how to easily disconnect the power in the yaris without having to lift the back seat, access the 12v Battery and do it there?

[Max_Headroom]

42 minutes ago, mjjferreira said:

But the question remains...how to easily disconnect the power in the yaris without having to lift the back seat, access the 12v battery and do it there?

As this was never supposed to be an issue  i very much doubt there will be an easier way to disconnect it but stand to be corrected.

No access to the terminals in the fuse box so that's a no.

 

 

[Roy124]

8 hours ago, forkingabout said:

I carry one of these

Autowit Supercap2 Jump Starter - autowit

I'm not a fan of the lithium ion battery jump packs. 

Why not? 

[Roy124]

4 hours ago, mjjferreira said:

I have made this question, and i'll do it again.

If we know that the car will be stopped for a week (or more), isn't there an easy way to disconnect the power?

For example, in my previous car (clio diesel), i just opened the bonnet and unplugged the battery terminals.

Can't we do the same in the hybrids?

i know yaris has the battery under the back seat, but there must be something we can disconnect to cut off the power.

That is a very specific condition.  Whilst a flat Battery at home is inconvenient and your solution would work, it would disable your alarm. 

A more likely Battery issue will occur if you park at an airport before a 2 week holiday.  Again alarms would be disabled. 

In my holiday last week my car was moved 3 times and to different car parks. 

 

[Cyker]

The supercapacitor ones are quite nifty and have the advantage that you don't need to keep them charged (And in fact they won't stay charged for very long), and they won't randomly catch fire if left inside the car in the sun, but they do need the 12v Battery to have some charge left and not be totally dead to work, as they charge themselves up from the dregs of power in the 12v to send a big powerful burst of energy. They're more suited for jumpstarting real cars because of this, and I'm a bit cagey about them as they discharge the 12v even lower before they work, which may damage the Battery further.

Another good thing about the supercapacitors is they (effectively)  don't wear out, whereas lithium packs have a limited life-span - A colleague charges his up at work and then uses it to charge his family's phones/tablets etc. at home but all that use has dropped the capacity of it noticeably.

There are pros and cons for both. Even the massive old lead-acid Battery jump starters haven't completely died out as they still beat lithium ion for repeatedly jump-starting big heavy diesel trucks!

 

[forkingabout]

When in doubt give it some clout 🤣

Perfect for jump starting IC counter balance forklifts.

[Gray86]

Whilst a Battery booster is a solution to a flat Battery, if you can prevent the Battery going flat in the first place (by using a charger/conditioner) this will aid longevity of the battery. 

[Cyker]

43 minutes ago, forkingabout said:

When in doubt give it some clout 🤣

Perfect for jump starting IC counter balance forklifts.

Yeah that's what I'm talking about!

I bet you can skip leg day AND arm day after carting that about!!  

 

1 minute ago, Gray86 said:

Whilst a battery booster is a solution to a flat battery, if you can prevent the battery going flat in the first place (by using a charger/conditioner) this will aid longevity of the battery. 

Very true... or my preferred solution, which is to drive around more  

 

[forkingabout]

11 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Yeah that's what I'm talking about!

I bet you can skip leg day AND arm day after carting that about!!  

 

 

 

We drive down on a LLOP - wouldn't risk walking through the warehouse especially at this time of year - your much safer on a forklift.

[Cyker]

Those maniac drivers get everywhere!  

 

[mjjferreira]

1 hour ago, Roy124 said:

That is a very specific condition.  Whilst a flat battery at home is inconvenient and your solution would work, it would disable your alarm. 

A more likely battery issue will occur if you park at an airport before a 2 week holiday.  Again alarms would be disabled. 

In my holiday last week my car was moved 3 times and to different car parks. 

 

My Yaris doesn't have alarm.

[forkingabout]

3 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Those maniac drivers get everywhere!  

 

Unfortunately they do - automation would be the answer.

[Cyker]

39 minutes ago, mjjferreira said:

My Yaris doesn't have alarm.

It might do - My Mk4 does!

Try opening it with the mechanical key instead of keyless or remote  

 

[mjjferreira]

It wasn't in the equipment list.