Portable Power FAQ
How do I charge my Portable Power Jump-Pack? Our Portable Power Jump-Packs are manufactured to include an internal charger. A simple household extension cord is used to power the internal charger. Plug the extension cord into an outlet, and connect the cord into the receptacle on the unit to charge. How often should I re-charge the Portable Power Jump-Pack? In the Owner’s manual we suggest to charge the internal battery of your Portable Power Jump-Pack at least once every 3 months, and immediately after every use. By frequently charging the battery, you maximize the power potential of the unit, and ensure that whenever you need it, the unit will be ready. Keeping the battery fully-charged also vastly extends the life of the unit. The unit is not charged and I just took it out of the box – is it defective? No. Every Portable Power Jump-Pack unit’s battery is fully charged when it leaves our factory. One must factor the amount of time their unit has spent in warehouses and on store shelves, however, before the unit was purchased. The more time a unit sits idle, the greater the decrease in battery power. We suggest charging the battery immediately after purchase, before placing the unit into service. What does a Cold-Cranking-Amps (CCA) rating mean, and what is the difference between CCA and Peak-Amps? "Cold-Cranking-Amps" is a rating used for starting batteries only, and is intended to demonstrate a battery's ability to start an engine during winter. It measures the number of amps that a 12-volt battery can deliver at 0°F / -17.8°C for 30 seconds while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts. The higher the cold-cranking-amps rating, the better its chances of starting an engine on a cold winter morning. “Peak-Amp” rating measures the absolute maximum output power that a power supply can produce without causing immediate damage. Peak-power capability is typically well beyond the continuous reliable output power capability and should only be used infrequently. What is the jump-starting amp rating on my Portable Power Jump-Pack? IP-75:100CCA/ 500 PEAK AMPS IP-95L:125CCA/ 650 PEAK AMPS IP-125: 150CCA/ 750 PEAK AMPS IP-1825FL: 300CCA/ 950 PEAK AMPS IP-1850FL: 350CCA/ 950 PEAK AMPS IP-1875C: 350CCA / 950 PEAK AMPS IPD-1000: 150CCA/ 650 PEAK AMPS IPD-1800: 350 CCA/ 950 PEAK AMPS There is no output from the Alligator Clips - Why? One of the safety features that we have placed in some of our larger units (IP-1850FL, IP-1875C, and IPD-1800) is a positive connection solenoid. Simply put, the clamps will not arc or spark, until being placed on a battery. This feature alleviates the concern for arcing and sparking until there is a connection at the battery. Important Safety Instructions - Someone should be within range of your voice or close enough to come to your aid when you are working near a lead-acid battery. - Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes. If acid enters the eye area, rinse with cold water for at least 10 minutes and get medical help immediately. - Do not smoke, or use matches or cigarette light, or allow any spark or flame near the battery or engine. - Never operate the power source unit if it has damaged lead wire or clamps. Have the lead wire replaced by a qualified technician. - Wear complete eye and clothing protection when working with lead-acid batteries. - Do not permit the internal battery in the Portable Power Jump-Pack to freeze. Never attempt to recharge a frozen battery.
Operating Instructions
Warning: Failure to follow instructions may cause damage or an explosion. Read entire instruction manual before use. 1. Turn ignition OFF before making cable connections. 2. Make sure the power ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position until clamps are connected to the vehicle battery. 3. Use in a well-ventilated area. 4. Keep clear of fan blades, belts, pulleys and other parts that may cause injury. 5. In the ON position, NEVER allow clamps to touch together or to contact the same piece of metal to prevent sparking. 6. Clamp the red clamp (+) to the positive terminal of the battery. (For a negative grounded system.)* 7. Clamp the black clamp (-) to an unpainted and unmoving part of the chassis or engine block. 8. If you have connected the clamps of the Portable Power Jump-Pack backwards, an audio alarm will sound. DO NOT turn your Portable Power Jump-Pack on. This could cause serious damage. Reverse the connections, and the audio alarm will stop. 9. If no audio alarm is sounded, turn ON the Portable Power Jump-Pack, and then crank the engine. If the engine does not start within 5 – 8 seconds, wait at least 1 minute before attempting to start vehicle again. (This permits the battery to cool down.) 10. After the engine starts, make sure to turn OFF the power switch. Then disconnect the black clamp (-) and then the red clamp (+) in that order. Store the clamps on the ears located on the sides of the case. 11. Recharge the Portable Power Jump-Pack as soon as possible after use. *NOTE: In the rare case of jump-starting a vehicle that has a positive-grounded vehicle electrical system, connect the NEGATIVE black clamp (-) to the negative terminal (-) of the vehicle battery. Then connect the POSITIVE red clamp (+) to an unpainted and unmoving part of the vehicle chassis or engine block. If you are unsure of the nature of the vehicle’s electrical grounding system, check the owner’s manual of the vehicle. To disconnect clamps, reverse order. LED INDICATORS To check the internal battery’s charge status, press the red button on the front of the Portable Power Jump-Pack. The LED lights will indicate the charge level as follows: 1. A red LED indicates a 50% or less charge and you should immediately recharge. 2. A yellow LED indicates a 50 to 75% charge. The PS-400-3A may be used but should be recharged as soon as possible. 3. A green LED indicates the internal battery is charged. Charging of the internal battery with built-in charger After removing the Portable Power Jump-Pack from the carton, charge it for a minimum of 8 hours before using even if the green Full Power LED glows. NOTE: The ON/OFF switch does not have to be in the ON position to recharge the internal battery. 1. To charge, plug extension cord into charger plug on the back of the Portable Power Jump-Pack. (Extension cord not included; must be purchased separately.) 2. Plug the extension cord into 110V AC electrical wall outlet. 3. The red LED will glow indicating charging. 4. The green LED will glow when the battery has reached full charge. This could take up to 72 hours on some charges due to age and condition of the battery. The charger will automatically drop into a float mode and maintain the battery at full charge without damaging the battery. The Portable Power Jump-Pack can be left plugged into the 110V wall outlet indefinitely to maintain full power. 5. Recharge the Portable Power Jump-Pack after use and every 3 months to full charge status to extend the battery’s life. Multi-Purpose Power Supply The Portable Power Jump-Pack is a power source for all 12 volt power accessories with 12V accessory plug. Make sure the device to be powered is OFF before inserting 12 volt accessory plug into 12 volt DC accessory outlet located on the front of the Portable Power Jump-Pack. Use the 12 volt accessory outlet for power outages, fishing and camping trips, cell phones, camcorders, computers, etc. Estimate usage time is listed in chart below.) 12 Volt DC Power Source Chart Appliance Type Estimated Wattage Estimated Time* Cell Phones 4 Watts 30 Hours Fluorescent Lights 4 Watts 30 Hours Radios 9 Watts 21 Hours Depth Finders 9 Watts 21 Hours Fans 9 Watts 21 Hours Camcorders, VCRs 15 Watts 12 Hours Electrical Tools 24 Watts 7 Hours Electrical Coolers 48 Watts 3 Hours Car Vacuum, The DC socket has a 30 amp automatic overload protection circuit breaker. If overload occurs, reset the breaker by pushing the breaker button located on the back of the Portable Power Jump-Pack. 110 Volt AC Power Source Chart (Inverter {Not Included} is Necessary) When the Portable Power Jump-Pack is used with an inverter, it can operate appliances normally powered by 110V AC. Appliance Type Estimated Wattage Estimated Time* Spot Lights, Faxes, TVs, Computers, Printers Power Tools, Blenders 200 Watts 45 Minutes *Note: Estimated time is conservatively reported. Actual time may vary. Times are based on the Portable Power Jump-Pack having a full charge. Requires the use of an inverter that is not included. Designed for up to a 300 watt inverter. STORAGE TEMPERATURE The ideal storage temperature is at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Performance varies based on battery temperature conditions.
Air Compressors 80 Watts 1.5 Hours
Sump Pumps 100 Watts 1.5 Hours
Small Power Tools 150 Watts 1 Hour
