ImpliedConsent

Sometimes, at weekend car meets, I'll put my C7 into "service" mode. This turns on everything except headlights, A.C. and fans, running off the battery. I've left it that way for several hours without impact to the car's OEM battery. I drive home and hook it up to the Genius 3500 charger, rinse, repeat.
Last Friday was a bit different. My cell phone was dying, so I thought "lemme charge it while in service mode". So, for 2hrs, I left it. Go to start and I get the dreaded clicking. The battery was dead. Some random folks came by with a USB jump starter. They said hook it up and start...I did and it did. Impressive. Yesterday, I ordered a (and received today, less than 12hrs later). I won't leave home without it.

Huntman

Thank you for the info on the power pack! I know how this feels; expect the unexpected...unfortunately!

Jims427400

I learned about a similar device when my 67 big block died at our library. My son in law brought one of those over to jump me and I laughed at him. It fired right up.. I'm with you, I never drive anywhere without it. Will probably order a 2nd one to keep in my yukon daily driver.

ImpliedConsent

Funny. I also laughed when they brought over this tiny little electronic box and said hook-it-up. I did NOT expect it to turn over the 6.2L. After it was said and done, they explained they could jump about 30 more cars on the existing charge. Sold.

dmaxx3500

why are you putting in ''service mode'' to charge a cel phone,just plug it into the cig lighter/usb port they should be live even with the key off

ImpliedConsent

No, you misunderstand. I use service mode to light up the DRLs/lighting beyond the 10minute limit. It just so happened my cell phone was dying that night and I decided to charge it while in service mode. I'd never done that before and I'm just guessing it killed the battery prematurely.

owc6

Only the port in the trunk/hatch is hot when the car is off.

ImpliedConsent

Exactly true, unless you're in "service" mode, then all those danged ports, jacks, windows... they're all on. I'll NOT be testing my theory that it was my charging of my phone that killed the OEM battery. I'll just hook it up to this USB charger (QC too!).

AORoads

Any particular reason you picked this brand and model? Or was this the one that was used on your car? Thanks for the info, btw.

ImpliedConsent

You're right. It was the brand/model the couple used. It was tried and true and got me out of a bind. I just finished charging it and it sits in the cubby. I'm curious as to its shelf life.

johnny3

johnny3

Got this^^ from Chevy dealership, about $80 out the door, 1000 amp with USB ports, charge your phone from it, etc, good for abt 25 jump starts. Lithium & rechargeable lots times (years) Starts all types of 12volt battery systems, don't leave home without it.

ShadowGray19

I have had this one for over a year:

Gearhead Jim

OP referred to a "USB jump starter". Can you actually put enough current into the car's USB to start it without frying other items, or did you mean you can keep the jump pack charged up by leaving it connected to a USB in your car when everything is normal?

Jims427400

If I had to guess I bet he's referring to charging the unit through a mini usb connection either on your computer or through your cigarette lighter.

AORoads

Thank you. While not exactly inexpensive, it's what I'd call "cheap insurance" to have with you. I think I'll get one! Thanks again for the counsel.

ImpliedConsent

Correct. Not jump starting through our USB port, just as the means for charging the jump starter unit. I just plugged it into a 110 adapter and it took about 2hrs to completely charge. I am going to hard wire a to the battery terminals to make it even safer/quicker (to both my cars, not just the 'Vette).

Gearhead Jim

A friend has one of those jump packs in case his own Corvette battery dies, he claims he only has to charge it up a couple of times per year to be always ready.
Unfortunately, I don't know which brand or model he owns.

Red86Cfour

So when you did the jump start with the usb jumper, did you connect it directly to the battery terminals with alligator clips?

Red86Cfour

I can believe that. I soldered together a bunch of cannibalized lipo battery cells from dewalt cordless tool battery packs to make a 12v pack to start my one liter bike motor in my race car. It actually did start it but you could tell it was struggling, so I just put it aside on my work bench. It sat there for probably two years until I had an application in a pit scooter that needed a battery. I hooked it up in place of the small lead acid battery and it started right up, even after grinding a bit since the two stroke scooter hadn't run for quite some time.

I've wondered if you could use these battery packs in place of the regular battery. They're very light, pack an enormous amount of power, and are relatively cheap. Not for the corvette, but for something smaller where light weight is important.