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Portable Jump Starter with "Teeth" that fit Prius Auxiliary Battery Positive Terminal

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by JAW, May 24, 2011.

  1. JAW

    JAW New Member

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    Hello,

    I've been perusing the forum, searching for information on recommended jump starters, but I haven't found a thread that recommends a jump starter that has basic "alligator teeth to positive terminal" compatibility (if it exists, I apologize for not finding it). Has anyone found a portable jump starter that can actually clamp on the tight, narrow terminal for the auxiliary battery?

    Thanks for your help,
    Justin
     
    #1 JAW, May 24, 2011
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Why do it the hard way? You can jump at the jump point under the hood.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, May 24, 2011
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I jump from under the hood. It's a lot easier.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, May 25, 2011
  4. tomlouie

    tomlouie Member

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    #4 tomlouie, May 26, 2011
  5. JAW

    JAW New Member

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    Thanks for the responses. So is there another jump point under the hood other than the auxiliary battery with the little red cover and the little bolt sticking up? Because that's what I've been jumping with an awkwardly sized normal jump starter cable, and the jump starter I bought...the jumper clamp is too big. So if the ring terminal harness is the best bet, I'll try and get a portable jump starter with ring terminals (I've never jumped a car without standard clamps, so anything else is new to me).
     
    #5 JAW, May 26, 2011
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Since you already own a jumpstart device, I suggest either of the following two suggestions:

    1) Replace the positive clamp with a smaller clamp that you could buy, from a Radio Shack store for example.

    2) Use an alligator clip to contact the dedicated positive jumpstart terminal, then connect your jumpstart clamp to that clip.

    Either alternative would be much less expensive than buying another jumpstart device.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, May 26, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Oh! My bad, you're already using the jump point under the hood. In that case, what Patrick wrote. A fat alligator clip lead is perfectly adequate for the current draw.
     
    #7 richard schumacher, May 26, 2011
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Be aware you don't attach the jumper clamp to that bolt you use the flat metal tab the bolt is holding down. That metal tab sticks straight up next to the bolt.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Jun 6, 2011
  9. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    Based on what I've read it sounds like you've jumped the car several times. What is the voltage on your current 12v? The 12volt in our cars do not like running out of juice and may need to be changed.
     
    #9 Ryanpl, Jun 6, 2011
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    D'ohh!! Ditto Ryanpl. If you need to jump the car more than once then the battery is toast and should be replaced. If it did not die from sheer age or being drained by operator error then there may be an underlying problem with the inverter, etc.
     
    #10 richard schumacher, Jun 12, 2011
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