Battery Chargers & Jump Starters

In addition to supplying the current needed by the engine and electrical accessories while the engine is running, your car’s charging system also restores the current to the battery that is drawn by the starter motor when the engine is cranked. However, there are times when it is not possible or even desirable for the charging system to restore the charge level to the battery, and that’s when you need a battery charger.

All vehicles have a certain amount of “parasitic drain” - current draw from electrical devices that run while the engine is off. In the old days the drain was from little more than a clock, but today’s accessory laden cars have numerous accessories like power seats and mirrors that have Keep Alive Memory, and the combined milliamp draw can add up. As long as the vehicle is driven at least every few weeks, there is usually not a problem.

But let the vehicle sit longer than that, like a sports car that hibernates in the garage all winter long or a car that’s left in long term parking at the airport, and you can end up with a dead battery. Of course, accidentally leaving the lights or the radio on will only accelerate the drain and reduce the amount of time until you get nothing but a click when you turn the key. When you’re stuck out on the road, or any time you need to drive right away, you need a jump starter, also known as a booster, to start your engine, but for maximum battery life it’s better to slowly recharge the battery over a long period of time.

When you don’t have time to waste, we have the jump starters that will get your engine running right away, from large professional units to small, pocket size boosters that can also be used to recharge cell phones and other devices. However, your car’s alternator wasn’t designed to recharge a dead battery, and can fail prematurely if used for this purpose. We have dedicated chargers that will provide the optimal rate of charge for long battery life, in versions perfect for home use right up to wheeled, professional garage units that include battery and charging system diagnostic capabilities.

You’ll have a healthy battery that’s always ready to start your engine when you keep one of our trickle chargers/battery maintainers connected. These units automatically monitor battery condition and maintain the proper charge level for peak performance. We offer products that can both charge and maintain your battery, and some even incorporate a jump start feature. No matter the type of battery - flooded lead acid, gel cell, or AGM, we have the charger for the job, and we can also supply you with any other battery related needs including memory savers that maintain all your important settings when the battery is disconnected.