I try out the Vector 800 Amp jump starter on my tractor and motorcycle. I also put the jump starter's other features through their paces. It's a versatile and rugged looking unit. But, is it for you? Watch my video to find out!
I charged mine for about 36 hours. This morning my battery wasn't working on my Chevy 2500 Express Cargo van year 2006, battery is about 3 years old. Connected the Vector to the van battery and it started right away. The van battery wasn't fully drained but it wouldn't try turning. So it's a thumbs up from me.
Jump starters are intended to be an assist to a vehicle's discharged battery. From my experience, I've attached the cables to the vehicle's battery and let the jump starter transfer it's energy to the vehicle's battery for a few minutes before trying to start the vehicle again. Trying to start a vehicle directly from any jump starter by bypassing the vehicle's battery may be a struggle. Thx for the video.
I loved your review. I sure wish that I saw it before I bought the Vector. I ended up buying a brand new battery for my lil SUV, the Ford Escape. Now, a year later, I do need to use the jump starter but being a big dummy, I lost the charger for the Vector itself. You were right when you said that it was a poor design because there was no place on the unit to hold the charger. So now I am searching for a charger and thinking I should just go buy a new jump starter instead of looking for a matching charger. Thanks so much. I am going to look at these videos before I run out and purchase a new one. Thank you again!!
You are very welcomed! The charger has a class 2 transformer. Input is 120 VAC, 60 Hz and 9 Watts. Output is rated at 12 VDC and 500 mA. The manufacturer is ETV model #HT 1009D.
Superb, honest review and demo! Jump packs are so hit and miss. I had a Schumacher for 6 years and it never let me down. Sometimes I don't drive my car for three weeks, and the electronics zap the battery. The jump pack always starts the car. I now have the new model of the Harbor Freight 4-in-One CenTech jump pack...the blue one. It's worked flawlessly. The previous red one received mediocre reviews but the blue one doesn't have a bad review. When I use mine, I hook it up to the battery, turn it on for 5 minutes to throw a charge into the starter, and fire it up. I bought the 2-year extended warrant for $20 because it only comes with a 90-day warranty. A couple of years ago I bought a lithium ion pack. It never worked and I returned it. I'm not a fan of the small batteries...although I've heard good things about the bigger Audew.
The reviews on the blue CenTech you mention are remarkable. Out of 287 there are none that rate it lower than 4 stars out of 5. I still have have the Vector because it works great as a portable USB charger for my camera while making videos. All the chargers in this price range seem to use lead-acid battery technology for their power. And just like car batteries, some are better than others.
Thanks ! I got this pack from FB market place, and your demo explained everything very well, including why it's not working for me lol. Nice BDUs, and I got your "no joy" reference!
Lol, It's a budget jumper. For small engines with small batteries. Battery must be in the car and on the cusp of not starting. The USB outlet might be the best feature on this little guy.
I did have to learn that you have to charge it longer than it shows is appropriate. It will show fully charged but it’s NOT. 24 hours charging time minimal regardless of how low it has gotten. I’m still on the fence about it as it doesn’t seem to hold a charge for any extravagant amount of time. My Schumacher instant power will hold charge MUCH better but is quite a bit heavier. I actually bought the Vector as a lighter alternative to take out camping with me. Using it as a power bank and having the compressor and jumper as a nice addition if they’re was an emergency. With my Schumacher, I’m also able to recharge it by attaching to the batter of my truck and letting the truck run. Idk if the vector will do that. Going for first time with it this weekend (taking Schumacher as back up leaving it in truck) and I’m a little doubtful. Wish me luck
Good luck! I like using the USB port for running my phone's camera when making videos. I agree with all of your points. I am still using it for an occasional jump for a weak (not fully depleted) battery.
The manual said that the unit should be charged at least 24 hours the first time after it is bought before using it... It also reiterated that the unit should be charged 24-36 hours prior to use even if the green full battery lights upIF you know that has been used and drained because the green light may show up due internal impedance, whatever that means... 24 hours for the first time is just a lot to wait!!! But... it is what it is...
I would recommend that you take it back and get one with the charger included. It will work on small engines with weak batteries. The manufacturer likes to play games with the jumper's power specifications. They all do. The truth seems to be that the more money you pay the more starting power you get.
So if I plug it up into the wall to charge the device and it shows no lights at all does it mean the jump box is completely dead or I got a faulty one from Walmart
I should put both clams on my battery first the red positive and after negative . Because the instruction said put negative clamp on the chaise??? I'm a lady asking you because I saw most of the time putting both together?
Red clam on positive (+) battery terminal then Black clam goes to negative (-) terminal. You can clamp the black clam onto the engine block or the car's frame too. Best to use the battery terminal if you can.
I only wished it sat tested with a depleted battery. Like after i leave the lights on all night. Would it start a f150 V8? Or a Corolla? 😅 I love you video. As good as "project farm" s videos 😻💓
Hi, I still haven't had the opportunity to try it out in that situation. I have tried it on my old tractor (4 cylinder) and my Harley (2 cylinder.) They wouldn't start due to low batteries. The Vector kicked them right off. So it was effective in those situations.
I just bought one of these vector chargers at Home Depot and it don't work it does not jump start any car it sucks and your video was my verification that this product is a Rip Off to the people..How do corporations get away with sellen crap !
Mine is working perfect charged my battery. My car was no in just for 2 months Evey other month. So in a year almost 7 month no used. With Vector it is charged perfect
God bless you brother 🙏. It would have been the biggest embarrassment and failure in front of my 3 kids , not to mention the potential danger to be stuck on the roads of let's just say Wayoming or Oregon or worse in the mountains, with this mediocre piece of garbage as a back up plan . Shame on them and shame on Home Depot for promoting this crap that promised so much and delivered so nothing.. the device that supposed to save you and yours when tough times happens unexpectedly. .
Yes, and thank you for your kind words. Please note that I was trying to use it in a worst-case scenario. None of these boosters in this price range are designed for starting an engine when the battery is completely removed. I was trying to focus on how outlandish the amperage claims can be on these products. The takeaway is that there are no universally accepted standards for which these products can be rated at. Manufacturers can make up their own claims based upon an "instantaneous" calculation. Like always, you get what you pay for, and cost is probably the best indicator of any booster's capabilities.
Hi Hugh, A battery's ground cable is always connected directly to a vehicle's frame. It's a matter of convenience as to where you clamp the jumper's ground cable. Electrically, it is the same point as the battery's ground post. Sure, you could use the ground post and I would recommend it if you are unsure about the quality of your ground. The ground and positive paths on all of the vehicles used in my video were verified good so no need to worry.
That's an interesting assertion. Electrically, a connected battery's negative post is ground. The negative battery post in most vehicles is connected by cable to the vehicle's frame. The frame is bolted to the engine and engine is bolted to the starter. If bolted securely, all of these points are electrically ground give or take a few ohms. However, I concede that the cable connection from the battery to the frame may be defective. I assure you that mine were not as they all worked fine with good batteries.
I have used this jump starter to start a small engine that had a low battery. The battery still had enough charge left to "click" the solenoid but not enough to turn the engine over. So yes, it will work depending on how low the battery is and how big the engine is.
It started my Chevy Express Cargo van this morning. Worked great, I charged it for about 36 hours before use. I'll try on my wife's old car next. That battery has been flat for at least 2 months.
