Starting a car engine in severe frost. Can a booster start a car with a dead battery? Our experiment How to dry flooded injector candles

Indeed, it is not difficult to doubt the ability of this kid to start a car engine, if he is used to carrying a heavy battery for charging. The device is light and compact - some smartphones today will be larger ...

The basis of the gadget is a lithium-iron-phosphate battery, also referred to as "lithium ferrum" or "lifer" in the common people. This type of battery is relatively new and has only been found in mainstream consumer devices in the last few years. Its characteristic feature is the ability to deliver huge currents even with a small capacity.

Inside the device we are testing, there is the same “lifer” with a capacity of just ... 3 ampere-hours (a black brick the size of a fist), a microprocessor module for its charge and mode control, plus a powerful reverse polarity and short circuit protection relay, a module for converting 12 volts to 5 volt USB for charging smartphones, as well as a board with 4 LEDs - a flashlight.

1 / 4

2 / 4

3 / 4

4 / 4

"Cigarette" wires with "crocodiles" are connected to the powerful connector of the device.

"Crocodiles" are made very high quality - the springs are tight, the wires are soldered, their braid is clamped, preventing loosening and breaking off. Wire section - 8.5 mm 2 - these allow you to transfer a long-term current of 50-60 amperes and for a short time - several times more.

Both "teeth" of each« crocodile" are interconnected by a jumper wire to increase the contact area

Two USB connectors, hidden under rubber covers, allow you to charge smartphones and tablets - and quite quickly, since the output current can reach 2.4 amperes. And located next to them, the charge connector of the booster itself is just microUSB. However, its strength is more than enough - a two-ampere USB adapter discharged by 50% booster battery fills up to 100% in about a couple of hours.

The built-in flashlight is not a masterpiece, of course, but still not bad. Plus, it has two modes of operation - emergency flasher and constant light. On long winter evenings, it can come in handy.

Engine starting

The device has two start modes - "Start engine" and "Override". Let's try both in turn.

"start engine"– 270 amps

If the regular battery of the car is still trying to turn the engine, gives out some kind of “sobbing” or at least “cracks” the starter relay, it is assumed that it is not completely dead yet and it just needs help. In this case, press the "Start engine" button.

In this mode, the booster has protection on its terminals at a limit of about 270 amps. If the current exceeds the allowable one, or you accidentally close the crocodiles, or there is a short circuit in a faulty starter - it doesn’t matter, the protection will work, and the internal relay will disconnect the positive terminal of the booster from its internal battery, saving it from uncontrolled heating and destruction.

In this mode, you can "torment" the booster many times - until it is completely empty. Of course, with breaks for cooling the battery, which the gadget provides on its own, on a timer, focusing on its own temperature sensor.

"Override" 400 amps

If the voltage on the car's standard battery is below 2 volts - that is, it is completely empty, then the booster will show the word "Connecting" on the display after connecting - this means that you need to press the "Override" button. The fact is that here the “launcher” does not help the car’s run-down battery, but FULLY works for it.

The current in this mode is very high and close to the short circuit current for the booster. Accordingly, the 270 amp protection is deactivated. In this case, it is no longer possible to allow an accidental short circuit of the terminals - you need to connect the booster carefully and not drop the "crocodiles". Plus, in the “override” it is undesirable to “oil” the starter for too long - if the engine does not start after a couple of tricks for several seconds, then it is better to stop trying - the car does not start obviously not only because of a dead battery.

Real tests

Actually, we won’t even check the Parkcity GP24 on a dead car battery - when the retractor “cracks” and the lights are on dashboard are still glowing, the battery needs not so radical help. Let's save time and assume that the gadget passed the test in such conditions in advance, proceeding immediately to more serious tests - starting the engine purely from the booster, with a completely empty battery.

Since the editorial machine's battery in in perfect order, I don’t want to discharge it for the sake of experiment at all - this is not useful for the battery. So we'll just turn it off. To do this, remove the positive terminal from the battery and connect the positive terminal of the booster directly to it.

Note that the operation of the engine with a completely disconnected standard battery may be unsafe for the electrical equipment of the machine. But for the purity of the experiment, we still take a chance! To reduce the risk, after starting the engine, the second assistant will immediately throw the positive terminal back onto the battery.

We do this:

It's minus 13 outside, VW Polo, engine 1.6, gasoline, synthetic oil. The first start attempt failed - the positive terminal was unsuccessfully connected, the contact area was small, the starter did not have enough current. Let's move the "crocodiles", achieving a tight clamp, and make five starts in a row without a battery at all - the starter turns, the engine starts! On the booster after such a mockery, 50% of the charge remains!

1 / 2

2 / 2

Having charged the device to 100%, we went to the courtyards of the city, looking for cars with raised hoods and offering them free launch services. Here, the batteries were not disconnected, the gadget clung parallel to the batteries. With the help of the booster, the following were also launched:

Renault Duster, 1.6 liter petrol

Volkswagen Tiguan, 2.0 liters

Where is the limit of possibilities?

According to the results of the test, the site came to the following conclusions:

With an engine capacity of up to two liters, the booster will successfully cope with the launch of a serviceable gasoline and diesel car, even if it is cold outside, and the battery is discharged to “zero” to the state of non-burning lamps on the dashboard.
With an engine capacity of more than two liters, everything is already according to the situation ... The chances are 50/50, and they depend on a lot of factors.

The fact is that for large-displacement motors at increased current, the losses at the terminals increase sharply, the ambient temperature, oil density, and the temperature of the booster itself are much stronger - if you freeze it a little, the return will noticeably decrease. And here the launch is already in question ... It may launch, or it may not launch.

The launcher will help start the vehicle Charger. Until recently, these boosters were rather large boxes, inside of which a classic lead battery was hidden, but with sufficient starting current. Such units have not received wide distribution, since after all they are not needed so often, and their volume and weight are significant. The thing, as they say, is useful, but not very convenient.

But then the engineers figured out how to extract an impressive amount of energy from a small battery. This is how a new generation of power sources appeared, more convenient to use: lithium-polymer (Li-Po) batteries. It is this technology that is now used in the production of most compact starters, allowing you to achieve large starting currents, which, as you know, are needed to start the engine.

At present, few people are surprised by such a device. There are quite a few small launchers on store shelves. However, they are more perceived by customers as a camping battery for feeding various electronics, and only as an addition - as a starter for a car engine. And all because, due to insufficient power, these devices are often simply unable to start the engine of an average car with an engine capacity of more than 2 liters at sub-zero temperatures.

Trademark BERKUT, known for its professional line automotive compressors and accessories, has released a whole range of SMART POWER start-up chargers for emergency starting of vehicle engines in emergency situations and in cases of standard battery failure.

1–1 (3)

With their help, you can start any vehicle in any emergency. These powerful external energy sources are able to "kick" the car even with a completely discharged battery. The developers of SMART POWER starter chargers adapted them as much as possible to work with a car, knowing full well that the more current the starter requires to crank an icy engine, the more confident the start will be. Compared to competitive models SMART POWER starters have powerful batteries. So, for example, the SP-4500 model with a capacity of 4500 mA. h gives a maximum starting current of 405 A at the start, and the SP-9000 mA model. h - current of 1000 A. Powerful alligator clips with an increased contact area are connected to devices through a professional power connector. The wires have a solid section and are made of 100% copper! The resource of a fully charged booster is designed for at least 10 starts at an ambient temperature of up to -30 °C.

2–2_SP4500_Insert

In addition, the devices have a well-thought-out electronic board circuitry that ensures maximum safety of use. All Smart Power launchers have ten levels of protection:

from overload;
from recharging;
from discharge;
from overheating;
from reverse current;
from overvoltage;
against short circuit;
from polarity reversal;
from simultaneous charging and discharging;
from sparking.

And all this is contained in small compact boxes. How do you like that?

The control panel has a logical interface and large buttons for easy use of the device in winter with thick gloves.

Do not forget about the possibility of recharging mobile devices using the USB output (5V, 2.0A). The launchers are charged both from the usual 220 V network and from the car's on-board network of 12 V.

Such modern launchers will become

Motorists often face the problem of a dead battery in the cold season, as accumulator battery tends to discharge much faster as a result of large temperature fluctuations. Accelerated discharge occurs due to the fact that the car has to turn the starter longer in winter, as the fuel evaporates worse, the oil in the crankcase gets stuck, etc.

In urban conditions, trips are often short, which is not enough to subsequently replenish the battery charge from the generator used to start. Also, drivers in cold weather actively use additional electrical equipment during downtime (heating mirrors, seats, etc.). In such conditions, the car may not start from the battery at the most inopportune moment. The most convenient solution in such a situation is an autonomous start-up charger, known by the additional common name "booster".

Read in this article

How to quickly start a car with a booster if the battery is dead?

The use of a stand-alone starter charger is optimal in emergency, since the search for a charged battery is excluded, there is no need to “light up” from another car, there are no difficulties and risks associated with a mechanical start “from a pusher”.

The presence of an engine starter charger becomes especially relevant for the reason that an incorrectly implemented “lighting up” procedure can disable the electrical equipment of the machine from which they light up, as well as the one they are trying to start. Attempting to kick start the engine may result in damage. mechanical transmission or even an internal combustion engine for an inexperienced driver. As for vehicles with automatic transmission shifting gears, then it is completely forbidden to try to start such cars in this way.

The stand-alone starter charger is a miniature battery with the possibility of recharging it from a household outlet, which is connected directly to the motor passenger car with an engine capacity of about 2.0 liters and an approximate power of up to 130 "horses".

You can connect the booster either separately or directly to the installed battery by installing special fasteners on the battery terminals, more commonly known as "crocodiles". The starter charger is capable of supplying enough current to start the motor and maintain its further stable operation.

A starter charger for a successful engine start will require the user to follow just a few simple rules:

the device must be charged;
observe the polarity when connecting;
do not turn the motor with a starter from the booster for more than 10 seconds;
intervals between attempts to start the internal combustion engine are about 5 seconds;

Choosing a car charger

Today, products of world and domestic manufacturers. Booster models can only perform the main function, and also be multifunctional. Please note that the booster cannot be considered as a full-fledged alternative to the battery. Solutions often have a capacity index of about 30 Ah and a starting current of 1000 A. The internal structure of the battery in starters also differs from a regular car battery in terms of materials of manufacture.

In the list of the main differences between boosters from each other, it is worth noting the power, options and the price of launchers. The initial cost of the simplest solutions of acceptable quality is about 130 US dollars, for the top ones they ask for 650-750 USD.

When choosing a device, it is recommended to pay attention to the fact that there is a special automatic protection in case the polarity of the terminals was reversed during connection.
It is highly recommended to purchase a booster that is equipped with a battery indicator. The indicated indicator will allow you to easily control the level of charge of the device, as well as always keep the booster in full readiness for work.
Also a useful feature is protection against deep or full discharge of the booster. The presence of this option will significantly extend the life of the launcher.

As for multifunctional launchers, useful additions to their design can be a flashlight, an electric compressor for pumping wheels, an FM receiver, as well as the ability to charge external mobile devices (smartphone, GPS navigator, etc.) provided that USB connectors are available.

Finally, we add that in most cases, mass budget launchers designed for passenger cars, successfully cope with their task on internal combustion engines with a volume of up to 2.0-2.5 liters, as well as at an outside temperature of about +1 or 0 degrees Celsius. For diesel engines and units on off-road vehicles will require more powerful devices, which must be taken into account separately when choosing.

Reasons for a dead battery

There may be several of them:

Expiration of battery life;
Battery failure;
Untimely recharging of the battery;
Improper operation, frequent recharging.

How to start it? What to do if the car battery runs down in the middle of the road? These questions concern many. Most batteries lose their charge in cold weather. This is facilitated by a sharp change in temperature conditions. The cold time does not benefit the device. This is especially true for cars that are on the street for a long time. Also of no small importance for operation in the cold season is the load.

If the load is excessive, it is natural that the device will be discharged faster, and this will lead to a decrease in its shelf life. You can get out of this situation.

Extending battery life

Ways to minimize battery failure:

correct operation vehicle, which provides for proper care for him at sub-zero temperatures. In other words, the car can be left in the cold at low temperatures only if the battery is removed from it;
do not leave the vehicle unattended for a long time;
when the battery is discharged, it is necessary to provide an emergency method of charging or have a spare one;
you can try to “light up” the engine or ask other motorists to do it;
use special for fast

There are times when it is impossible to count on someone's help and only special device. Therefore, the best way out of this situation is considered to be a one-time cost of funds for the purchase of charging equipment.

Devices for starting the engine with a dead battery can be varied:

Asian origin;
European;
CIS countries.

Sometimes starting device for a car is called a booster. Unknowing people consider this device to be auxiliary.

But they are deeply mistaken. This is a completely separate equipment with certain quality characteristics:

its capacity is much less than a conventional battery;
the internal "stuffing" is also different;
produces a different voltage.

Connecting a device to start the engine with a dead battery provides for its connection to power unit vehicle. This booster is only suitable for cars, since the power for its use must be about 12 V.

How to use the device?

Tricks to use:

The process of operating a device for starting an engine with a dead battery involves throwing "crocodiles" on a dead battery, as a result of which an electric current will appear. The rules for using devices are different for each manufacturer. Therefore, before using it, you must carefully read the instructions, and only then take action.
Starting the device should not harm the battery. A single exposure to the battery should not exceed ten seconds.
Charging works only from the mains. Therefore, if trouble happens on the road, only a cigarette lighter can help.
When operating the booster, it is contraindicated to leave the device in the cold for a long time.

Exceptions are professional and semi-professional devices used by car service specialists.

Functional features of the device

If you decide to purchase a charger, the best option will become the device that contains the indicator of the battery indicator.

In the absence of this functionality, it will be difficult to use the starting device for the car. How to choose it correctly? When buying a device to start the engine with a dead battery, you need to pay attention to the following indicators:

the device must have built-in zero discharge protection, since such a device will last much longer;
the possibility of further charging;
the power of the purchased device must be appropriate.

To avoid trouble, purchase equipment in specialized stores who will be able to provide relevant documentation on the quality and safety of the goods. Only in this way you can protect yourself and your transport.

How is the process carried out using a quick start engine?

First you need to know that when connecting, you must observe the correct polarity.

The next step should be to control a certain voltage flow, which should be 20 A. Depending on the battery, certain errors can be observed, but they should be minimal.

As the battery charges, the following conditions may occur:

electrolyte viscosity decrease;
drop in internal resistance;
an increase in the starter capacity of the battery.

If you turned on the battery starter, while the battery was fully charged, then the voltage at its terminals should quickly reach the required values and it is not recommended to recharge it. In this case, you should pay attention to turning on the starter of the charger-starter. If, after the measures taken, your vehicle still does not start, turn off the ignition and give it the opportunity to rest a bit.

Practice shows that after this rest, the voltage on the battery will begin to increase and after the transition of a certain technical specifications indicator, you can think about recharging. If the experiment has taken a positive turn - disconnect the device from the battery. This action should not be ignored, as parallel operation can help recharge the battery. This will negatively affect the performance of the car.

be careful

After several ineffective attempts to start the engine, it is worth stopping any work in this direction and trying to find a breakdown problem in another. Otherwise, you will simply break the equipment and the starter, they will fail as a result of overload.

The second option for solving this problem would be to contact a car repair shop equipped with modern technology, which in the shortest possible time will be able to diagnose and find the cause.

Actions in case of prolonged stagnation of the battery

If you are faced with the question of starting the battery after a long period of inactivity, you need to have the following knowledge:

We start the car after a long idle time carefully, carefully.
What does the previous action mean? This means that a 3 month downtime period will not affect the battery. And in the event of a longer downtime, you will have to carry out a certain set of measures, namely, checking vital components.

After that you need to do right choice charger.

The safest method is to use a quick engine starter. Today it is the latest achievement of technology in the automotive world. This device is capable of passing a fairly large flow of energy through itself. It is this amount of energy that is enough to fully charge the engine.

Terms of use

When working with such equipment, remember the following. If you start the car after a long period of inactivity, you will have to remove the battery from the vehicle and carry out a full charge. It is important not to overcharge the battery. Otherwise, it will boil, which will not have the best effect on its functionality. In time, high-quality batteries are charged from 1 to 2 hours. The maximum voltage is 12.5-13 V. At a lower value, the car simply will not start, at a higher value it will harm the battery.

Conclusion

Also on topic

Soup with mushrooms and vermicelli

Carp fish - calories, composition, recipes

Recipe for liver cutlets

Saber - tasty and healthy fish

How to cook diet steam cutlets