Saving a dead jump starter
 

I have a jump starter that i've allowed to get too low. Now it won't hold a charge for more than a day.

Is there anyway i can salvage it or get some other good use from it?

http://www.autozone.com/images/produ...sdibp-6003.jpg
(example pic)

If you haven't herd of them before (but you probably have) here's how they work:
-Plug them in at night.
-The next day put it in your car.
-If your car battery dies during the next couple of weeks then you can use this Jump Starter to start your car up instead of bumming a jump from someone else's car.

replace the battery that's inside of it. It's probably a SLA (sealed lead acid) 12v battery. You can find a suitable replacement from Radioshack. Every one I go into seems to have a few large-ish SLA's sitting forlorn on a shelf near the back, problem is that they're expensive, usually to the tune of at least $40

http://members.lovingyou.com/images/smilies/biker.gif

i only paid $60 for the jump starter. For that i could just about go out and get a new one.

What about the parts?
It had a DC out plug, could display Red, Yellow, Green for jump charge available in the unit, and it would "Beeeeeeeeeeeeep!" if connected backwords.

Could i salvage those parts for anything if i decide not to rebuild it?
(i never saw inside one. I might try taking it appart this weekend)

I'm sure you can find a MUCH cheaper SLA out there somewhere, $40 is just the exorbitant price that Radioshack charges for theirs.

As for the rest of the bits, sounds like you have the makings for a 12v battery charger if you should need one.

Open it up and see if the sides of the battery are bulging.... If they are... I'd try desulfating (build your own circuit though - otherwise, spend $60). It may, or may not, work... It has worked for me in a kind of "lets get this done" ethos - but YMMV.

K. thanks guys. I'll open it up this weekend and see what i find. It should be pretty drained out by now.

http://www.alwaysbrilliant.com/aa/as...y%20Jumper.htm

bout 45 bucks