Having a portable jump starter in your vehicle can be useful someday, especially when your car battery drains and you can spot any vehicle around the area. I tasted this Generic 12,000 mAh jump starter on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 (W203) after its battery drained because of inactivity.
After connecting all things as instructed in the manual, the jump starter successfully started the Benz immediately when I turned the key to the on-start position. I noted that the jump starter clumps were easy to attach, although I at some point had to press them on the battery terminals more firmly to maintain proper contact during starting.
Compact and Easy to Carry
The jump starter comes in a compact, easy-to-carry case, which is more compatible to store and move around with. The other thing I noticed is that the case feels somehow cheap, but the overall package is practical considering I had bought it for Ksh 5,000.
During the charging of the Portable Jump Starter, I used the supplied AC-to-DC wall adapter, which took about 4 and a half hours to fully charge. After charging it, I found no use for it at that moment, so I left it unused for about a month.
More than a Jump Starter
The unit works in other ways than being just a jump starter; it works too as a power bank, and I tested its USB port by charging my phone from 35% to 100% within 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The jump starter also has a built-in flashlight with three modes of illumination: the strong light, strobe light, and SOS. The light worked well during my testing and could be useful during a roadside emergency. I think that the manufacturer could fix the power switch; it’s small, making it tricky to locate in times of emergencies, and the area is dark.
Another feature in this Jumpstarter package is the tire inflator. My car didn’t have a flat tire, so I couldn’t determine how it inflated. I had to use it on my bicycle, which had a flat tire, and it worked pretty awesome and fast.
What’s included
The kit comes with the jump starter, AC-to-DC wall adapter, cigarette lighter charging cable, 12V DC cable with alligator clips, a 5.5 x 2.1 mm DC cable, universal DC adapter tips, and multi-connector charging cables supporting USB-C, Micro-USB, and iPhone connections.
According to the seller, the unit has a 12,000 mAh lithium-ion battery with 12 V output power and can provide up to 20 jump starts on a full charge. There are things to not do; the seller listed several safety precautions and can retain its charge for a period of one to two months. I haven’t independently tasted those specifications, so they should be treated as manufacturer/seller claims.
What I like and don’t like
The biggest advantage is that the portable jump starter actually started my Mercedes when the battery was drained. Its compact size, flashlight, USB charging, and tire inflator make this kit more useful during an emergency.
On the other hand, the clamps sometimes require firm pressure to maintain contact with the terminals; adding on, the case doesn’t feel so durable, and the USB charging isn’t especially that fast. On control, it can be tricky to find some switches in darkness.
Conclusion
I will give this Jump Starter Kit 2.5 out of 5 stars because it’s not like a premium product, but it proved to be so useful in my test and offers emergency functions in its compact size. For someone who’s looking for a lightweight, easy-to-carry jump starter package for his car, it can be a practical option, particularly with its price tag of Ksh 5,000.