<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Alec W:
Glad I read this thread.
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At the risk of thinking you're actually serious
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Can one of you add your thoughts to something I think I need
My problem is that I don’t drive mine much and the battery tends to loose charge after a couple of weeks, I know this is not great for the battery but such is life. After jumping it in sub zero temperatures recently and reading this tread I am thinking about a better solution.
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One solution. Drive it more. I take it you've worked with a dealer to try to find the source of the problem and haven't yet.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
Get one of these:
http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?cid=481&productid=6682
Secure it (not sure how but that’s just a detail) in the back of the truck so it can be removed fairly easily but wont fly around.
Plug it full time into the DC socket back there (so it is always charged).
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Just make sure you get the model that can charge from DC. Some of them only charge from AC power.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Cut the crocodile clips off and put a connector in the cables.
Extend a set of cables to connect directly to the truck battery and add the same connector used for the crocodile clips at the back end.
Basically I would connect the cables to the battery when I need to jump it and disconnect when I am done, and can also still use the regular crocodile clips when I need portable power source.
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According to Clore, you can actually jump using a double-male dildo cigarette adapter thingy that you plug into jump starter and a power outlet in the car. I'd be really wary of trying this, but if it's frigging cold, I might give it a try for a couple seconds. BTW, it says this on the box not in the manual.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
This is the basic setup. One improvement would be to have the cables always connected to the main battery and a switch on the dash to activate. This would save my lazy ass from having to get up and open the gate to connect the cables. I have no clue how to wire something like this improvement or if it can even be done.
Excuse my layman’s terms I am not good with this electrical stuff.
Thoughts? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You definitely can't keep it wired to the battery all the time. The alternator current will overcharge and damage the battery in the jumpstarter. SO you'd have to do as you suggest, either connect it by hand or wire in a switch. You'd need to run fairly heavy guage wire to ensure you can safely carry a starting current load. But that sounds like a lot more work that hefting the jumpstarter around the front and hooking up the cables every once in a while. It really isn't nearly as much work to jump from a portable jump starter as it is to jump from a second car.
Regardless of whether you want to try to wire it in somehow, getting one that you can charge from a DC outlet definitely offers nice peace of mind.