How to Use a Jump Starter Pack
by Perry Kong
Learn how to use a jump starter pack and claim your independence the next time you get stuck with a dead battery. This convenient and portable device is available at most automotive supply and department stores. A jump starter pack provides a safe and reliable method for jump-starting a dead battery without the need for roadside assistance or a donor car. Proper polarity and safety precautions of traditional boosts still apply.
Step 1
Ensure that your car is turned off and the transmission is in "Park" for automatics or in gear for manual transmissions with the parking brake on.
Step 2
Raise the hood and secure it with the prop rod.
Step 3
Place the jump starter pack on a flat surface where the cables will reach the battery. Ensure that there are no moving parts in the way and that the jump starter pack won't fall over.
Step 4
Clamp the red (positive) jump starter cable to the red (positive) side of the battery. The battery top posts, side terminals, cables and clamps are distinctly identified in red with a "+" sign for positive. Negative is marked in black with a "-" sign.
Step 5
Clamp the black (negative) jump starter cable to a clean, shiny, metal part in the engine compartment. The negative clamp must have good contact with bare metal for proper grounding. Do not clamp it on or near moving parts.
Step 6
Turn the jump starter pack power switch to "On."
Step 7
Start the car and leave the the engine running.
Step 8
Shut off the power to the jump starter pack. Disconnect the black (negative) cable from its ground first, then the red (positive) cable from the battery.
Step 9
Remove the jump starter pack and close the hood.
References
Tips
- Carry the jump starter pack in your car in case of emergency.
- Keep your jump starter pack fully charged when not in use.
- Jump starter packs are equipped for accessories that plug into the cigarette lighter.
Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Jump starter pack
Warnings
- Consult the starter pack manufacturer instructions and warnings.
- Avoid loose hair and clothing when working near moving parts.
- Batteries are explosive. Do not connect both cables to the battery. Always use a metal part of the car for negative cable connections.
Writer Bio
Perry Kong has been a reporter and photojournalist since 2006. He is published through Sun Media and "Northern News" in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, specializing in food and automotive photography. Kong holds a diploma in graphic design from Northern College, where he also teaches photography and Photoshop.
