JamesMcD
JamesMcD Dork
12/7/14 12:18 a.m.

I was thinking it would be cool if I had a compact and light-weight 12V battery of some sort to bring with me on junk yard excursions so that I could power-up an entire car, or individual electrical bits bits (like, "gee, I wonder if this power window switch works").

Is this a thing?

EvanR
EvanR Dork
12/7/14 2:24 a.m.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html

peter
peter Dork
12/7/14 3:46 a.m.

A 12v SLA battery is what you're looking for, I think. I wouldn't try to start a car on it, but they might be beefy enough to juice a power window (I'll leave the math to another part of the hive mind).

I bet that's what's in that HF jump box, and it already comes with the charging bits and leads...

Kenny_McCormic
Kenny_McCormic PowerDork
12/7/14 5:09 a.m.

You want lithium tech if you don't consider an actual box full full of lead "lightweight".

wheelsmithy
wheelsmithy GRM+ Memberand Reader
12/7/14 8:06 a.m.

I've got a 12v DeWalt cordless drill I use the battery from to roll up power windows and such. An 18v works fine also.

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/7/14 8:44 a.m.

what you want is this: Cobra-Jumppack

daytonaer
daytonaer HalfDork
12/7/14 10:41 a.m.

I have used one of these to move a power seat:

It is from my dremel/flashlight, so it is small.

Not much serious moving power.

I have borrowed full size car batteries from the desk to test bigger things, they allow it as long as I brought the battery back and didn't set anything on fire.

Most yards are not fond of you bringing your own power, which is why the small drill batteries work; pocket sized. If you need more juice, just ask, they usually sell used batteries so many just sit around.

bigdaddylee82
bigdaddylee82 Dork
12/7/14 10:50 a.m.
peter wrote: A 12v SLA battery is what you're looking for, I think. I wouldn't try to start a car on it, but they might be beefy enough to juice a power window (I'll leave the math to another part of the hive mind). I bet that's what's in that HF jump box, and it already comes with the charging bits and leads...

The battery in most of the jump boxes is a SLA battery. I've got an older Mighty Mite jump box that uses a 12v 12ah SLA battery, I replaced the battery and charger in it last fall. It has started countless vehicles, and kept cell phones charged during extended power outages. It's not super light weight though ~10 lbs, and takes forever to charge, about 10 hours to full from completely draining it.

chaparral
chaparral HalfDork
12/7/14 1:29 p.m.

Zippy 4s2p 8400 mAH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery.

2.2 lbs, $85, will start an LS1.

old_
old_ Reader
12/7/14 5:36 p.m.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-Volt-NiCd-Replacement-Battery-68860.html

or

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-multifunction-power-tool-lithium-ion-replacement-battery-68059-8109.html

plus a 25% off coupon from here: http://slickdeals.net/f/1276399-harbor-freight-coupon-thread

JamesMcD
JamesMcD Dork
12/9/14 7:32 p.m.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

dbgrubbs
dbgrubbs New Reader
12/15/14 11:30 a.m.

Saw this thread recently and remembered it going to the junkyard Saturday. Took along an 18v Ryobi battery. Worked great moving windows and power seats!! Great idea.

RossD
RossD PowerDork
12/15/14 12:10 p.m.

(8) D Size (Rechargeable) Batteries in two cheap plastic holder packs, two leads with alligator clips or probe tips. Find a little bag or container that fits with your junkyard tool kit.

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
oiU0x1rbfZwJ9iKUjj8SoSnC40U7Ki7kJcqCOZqPskXmGOyH5iCuePbB6T2hvZ4T