Jumping a chipper battery

[emr]

I was wondering if something like this would work to jump start our Vermeer 1250.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JFHNQA/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1330961213&sr=8-1

Some days when it is cold out our chipper starts hard interest morning. When it's 15 degrees or less we usually have to hook jumper cables to the chipper to get it started. I was just wondering if one of those booster Packs would do any good.

 

[flushcut]

I never tried a booster pack but I think it should work. Maybe you need a higher CCA battery? Or just a new battery.

 

[Reddog]

It should help, I have been amazed at how well booster packs work for their size.

Another option if the battery is easy to take out, is just take the battery out and store in the heated office at night. Warm batteries have a much higher output.

 

[emr]

That's what I thought too but we just bought a new battery last year. I hope the battery would last more than one year.

 

[emr]

I like that idea of taking it out too. It's super easy to get to and that wouldn't be a big deal to take it on on the really cold nights.

 

[flushcut]

Warranty? Two years ago I put a Batteries+ gel cell in the chipper and it has not skipped a beat yet even when it got down to -5 (that was a miserable day).

 

[Reddog]

May pay to take the battery back and have it tested if it worked okay last winter.

 

[sotc]

Warming blanket? Can you stretch out a extension cord?

 

[emr]

I wish we had power out there because then we would plug in the block heater. No such luck. I will look into a warranty. We bought it from a local battery shop because we figured they are more knowledgeable than Batteries PLUS and we hoped they would sell us a quality product that fit our needs.

 

[Burnham]

It isn't all that common, but not unknown for a battery to be faulty...showing up as early weakness. Usually a loose plate.

 

[Altissimus]

.... been there done that, it is alot easier to use the little booster than un hitch to position the truck for a jumpp

 

[lumberjack]

We carry heavy gauge jumper cables long enough to jump it from the truck (Jack knifing may be required). Don't want to get to the dump only to find the trailer has a dead battery!

 

[1BUS]

Make sure you get a jump pack with the same CCA's as your chippers battery and you should be fine, it's a great tool to keep on hand.

 

[treeman75]

I also have 1250 and we have two batteries hooked up.

 

[Tucker943]

I've fired my 1250 off a jumper box a few times. It worked well.

 

[SouthSoundTree]

I've heard, but not verified, that there are a lot of defects in batteries. Dunno. Worth a check.

 

[treesmith]

I've had two lemons in a row from Wally-world. Don't know as I'd want to try another.

On my Morbark, the starter was getting worn when I got it. I've had to jump it before, hooking two batteries in sequence, rendering 24 volts. Once it spun off and cranked the first time, it would crank fine with 12 volts for the rest of the day. Re-manned starter fixed that.

 

[Al Smith]

Old trick to starting a diesel in cold weather .Short of starting fluid the easiest way is to get some heat in the intake providing it's metal not plastic .

If it won't burn something up hold the flame of a propane of actelene torch close to the intake and roll it over .It will start if you have enough battery .

 

[emr]

Forgive my ignorance but what do you mean by intake? Air Intake? Like the air filter? Remember, I studied trees in school and not engines.

 

[thattreeguy]

those jump packs rule i have 1 on each truck, just charge it after every jump

 

[Al Smith]

Forgive my ignorance but what do you mean by intake? Air Intake? Like the air filter? Remember, I studied trees in school and not engines.

Yes but just make sure you can do it without setting something on fire .

On second thought the way they make these things any more with wafered paper air filters and plastic intakes it might not be a good plan .Now back in the day on those 555 Ford backhoes it worked slick as snot on a door knob but they had sheet steel intakes .For all I know those might be plastic these days ???

Another thought though .If the bushings are getting worn on the starter motor that can cause a nasty draw on the battery in addition to trying to crank over a cold diesel .

 

[Tucker943]

I've done that with wd40 and a cigarette lighter Al. Works well.