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From: Andrew Hall <ahall-no-spam@world.std.com>
Subject: Re: Too good to be true????  Portable car starter...
Message-ID: <sodzp74bh9n.fsf@world.std.com>
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Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 20:19:32 GMT
References: <sodlniookea.fsf@world.std.com> <78ngor$hqc$1@usenet43.supernews.com>
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>>>>> bob  writes:

   bob> In article <sodlniookea.fsf@world.std.com>, ahall-no-spam@world.std.com says...
   >> 
   >> 
   >> There was an ad on the back of the NYTimes Book Review
   >> this last Sunday for a portable battery that one can
   >> plug into a cigarette lighter (supposedly for a couple
   >> of minutes) and start ones car without a jump. 

   bob> I've seen this method fail alot.
   bob> Open the hood hook it up directly.

This thing just plugs into the lighter.

   >> It also
   >> claimed to be able to run a car with a dead alternator
   >> for up to one hour.

   bob> The Ignition system doesen't use much amperage, these 
   bob> can run a car for an hour or so (without lights etc., running)


That could be a bit useful, if I have a recurrence of
the problem I had a couple of weeks ago.  Battery light
on, lights dimming radically, windshield wipers taking
a minute to cross the screen, then poof, all better.  As
the car is under warrantee and the whole electrical system
checked out OK at the dealer, they did not replace the
alternator.  No problems since, but that was a very cold
day which we have not had since.

   >> Could this be a useful safety device, or it is (which I
   >> think most likely) a scam?

   bob> It won't replace good Maintainence, but it can get you 
   bob> out of a jamb once in a while.

   bob> These thing are ussually just a 300-400 CCA battery
   bob> with jumper cables permantly attached. Nothing new there :)



ah
(Now reading Usenet in rec.autos.misc...)
