BAYA Posted December 7, 2023 #1 Share Posted December 7, 2023 (edited) I'm posting this as a public service 🙂 We just returned from an 8-night cruise to find my car's battery totally dead. Neither of our two vehicles had jumper cables and no one departing the garage stopped to offer a jump start. AAA was going to be a very long wait (at least an hour when I called for service). Luckily my BIL walked to the pay-booth and they directed him to the guy who walks around the garage with a portable device for jump-starting cars. By then we were drenched in sweat and had been waiting for 30 minutes or so to get a jump-start. This dead battery issue is apparently a common problem. My lesson-learned is to buy jumper cables and keep them in my car when I cruise. I ended up needing a new battery (old one would not hold a charge). Even with a new battery I plan to carry the jumper cables--batteries do fail sometimes! P.S. We were in the Palm Garage at Port Everglades. Edited December 7, 2023 by BAYA added info 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted December 7, 2023 #2 Share Posted December 7, 2023 Yep...common problem. Many parking facilities, like at airports, have some sort of assistance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailawayward Posted December 7, 2023 #3 Share Posted December 7, 2023 as a side note, I'd strongly recommend taking a photo of your car and the signs indicating where your car is located. you may think you'll remember where you parked it, but after a lovely cruise, you probably won't. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatonDoolittle Posted December 7, 2023 #4 Share Posted December 7, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, BAYA said: This dead battery issue is apparently a common problem. My lesson-learned is to buy jumper cables and keep them in my car when I cruise. It is a very common issue, especially with newer model cars. Dealers will tell you not to go longer than 7 days without starting, but I have gone 12 days with a new Lexus. That said, when parking for a cruise, I do have a portable jump starter charger in the car, just in case. HALO makes a nice small one for around $100 . The issue is all the background computer programs, which keep running, even though the car is turned off. This allows the lights to turn on and doors to unlock when you walk up to the car, for example That background running does drain the battery after a time Your aggravation may help someone in the future, though. I never knew there was a traveling battery guy. Very industrious on his part. Thanks for posting. Edited December 7, 2023 by EatonDoolittle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted December 7, 2023 #5 Share Posted December 7, 2023 well before travelling make sure your battery is in good condition We parked for over a month while cruising no problem then drove all the way home no issues if your battery is more than 6 yrs old keep a close eye on it have it checked out JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenb Posted December 7, 2023 #6 Share Posted December 7, 2023 Think about getting a jump starter box. They cost anywhere from $35.00 and up. That way you don't need a 2nd car to help you start your car. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted December 8, 2023 #7 Share Posted December 8, 2023 My two bits...according to the dealer, if you use the remote to lock doors, click it three times for the big honk, that supposedly tells the fob to go to sleep. Two, I am not letting a stranger use my car to jump start theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhraformula00 Posted December 8, 2023 #8 Share Posted December 8, 2023 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-Rechargeable-Lithium-Jump-Starter-400-Peak-Amp-12V-for-4-Cylinder-Vehicles/362199693?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101186298&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222227362199693_101186298_154378887598_20451616730&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=674082707006&wl4=pla-2265834871357&wl5=9021631&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=582470241&wl11=online&wl12=362199693_101186298&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA98WrBhAYEiwA2WvhOmtHkrMOKEVE3_sSNWDdGQ0Zj0Sk_c0mdGG9BlduFt6Wy-zOycLlcxoCYlMQAvD_BwE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhraformula00 Posted December 8, 2023 #9 Share Posted December 8, 2023 This is better than cables. Keep it in trunk and it stays charged for 6 months. Can be recharged in a few hours with a usb cable. Will start your car. Do not need another car like cables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAYA Posted December 8, 2023 Author #10 Share Posted December 8, 2023 7 hours ago, nhraformula00 said: This is better than cables. Keep it in trunk and it stays charged for 6 months. Can be recharged in a few hours with a usb cable. Will start your car. Do not need another car like cables. Thanks for this info to all who recommended I buy a jump-start box. Since I usually cruise as a family with two vehicles, the jump start would have been from my BIL's truck if we had the cables. I do like the idea of the box, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAYA Posted December 8, 2023 Author #11 Share Posted December 8, 2023 23 hours ago, LHT28 said: well before travelling make sure your battery is in good condition We parked for over a month while cruising no problem then drove all the way home no issues if your battery is more than 6 yrs old keep a close eye on it have it checked out JMO Sound advice. Thanks. Since moving to FL 7 years ago I've learned that the heat causes batteries to not last as long as up north. My battery was 4 years old. My sister has the same car as mine, same age (2019), and her battery only lasted 3 years. ... and don't get me started on what the FL hot roads do to tires! I had to replace my tires with only about 40,000 miles on them and was told to blame it on the heat in FL. The car is garaged at home but that makes no difference. ... but I digress. 😣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted December 9, 2023 #12 Share Posted December 9, 2023 14 hours ago, BAYA said: Sound advice. Thanks. Since moving to FL 7 years ago I've learned that the heat causes batteries to not last as long as up north. My battery was 4 years old. My sister has the same car as mine, same age (2019), and her battery only lasted 3 years. ... and don't get me started on what the FL hot roads do to tires! I had to replace my tires with only about 40,000 miles on them and was told to blame it on the heat in FL. The car is garaged at home but that makes no difference. ... but I digress. 😣 You can see many police cars with the hoods propped open at ports to save the battery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mrell345 Posted December 10, 2023 #13 Share Posted December 10, 2023 If you are parking long term, back in to the spot, it makes it a lot easier if you have to boost the vehicle when you come back. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstuff1 Posted December 13, 2023 #14 Share Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) On 12/7/2023 at 7:26 AM, BAYA said: I'm posting this as a public service 🙂 We just returned from an 8-night cruise to find my car's battery totally dead. Neither of our two vehicles had jumper cables and no one departing the garage stopped to offer a jump start. AAA was going to be a very long wait (at least an hour when I called for service). Luckily my BIL walked to the pay-booth and they directed him to the guy who walks around the garage with a portable device for jump-starting cars. By then we were drenched in sweat and had been waiting for 30 minutes or so to get a jump-start. This dead battery issue is apparently a common problem. My lesson-learned is to buy jumper cables and keep them in my car when I cruise. I ended up needing a new battery (old one would not hold a charge). Even with a new battery I plan to carry the jumper cables--batteries do fail sometimes! P.S. We were in the Palm Garage at Port Everglades. Bought new 2015 Mazda. I bought jumper cables same week i bought the car. Put the cables in the trunk. 4 years later, battery died. Manual key in key Fob unlocked driver's door but the trunk door can only be opened via electronic button. Since battery is dead, it doesnt work. There's no key hole for the trunk. Had to pull down the back seat to get to the trunk to get to the jumper cables. I then bought a lithium battery jumper about the size of 2 deck of cards side by side for $20 on Amazon. Charged it and placed it under the driver's seat. A year later, I needed it. Power on the jumper was only 3 out of 5 bars but jumped my car on 1st try. Since then, i've replaced my battery and make it a point to charge the jumper twice a year. Edited December 13, 2023 by fstuff1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAYA Posted December 13, 2023 Author #15 Share Posted December 13, 2023 11 hours ago, fstuff1 said: I then bought a lithium battery jumper about the size of 2 deck of cards side by side for $20 on Amazon. Charged it and placed it under the driver's seat. A year later, I needed it. Power on the jumper was only 3 out of 5 bars but jumped my car on 1st try. Fantastic tip. Any chance you can share a link to the exact little jumper on Amazon that you bought? I'm thinking of giving it to myself for Christmas. 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstuff1 Posted December 13, 2023 #16 Share Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) 41 minutes ago, BAYA said: Fantastic tip. Any chance you can share a link to the exact little jumper on Amazon that you bought? I'm thinking of giving it to myself for Christmas. 😊 this was pre-covid. i just checked and item is no longer sold. Looked similar to this: edit: there might be a type now that plugs into your cigarette lighter instead of directly onto your car battery. Edited December 13, 2023 by fstuff1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAYA Posted December 13, 2023 Author #17 Share Posted December 13, 2023 1 hour ago, fstuff1 said: this was pre-covid. i just checked and item is no longer sold. Looked similar to this: edit: there might be a type now that plugs into your cigarette lighter instead of directly onto your car battery. Thanks @fstuff1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatonDoolittle Posted December 13, 2023 #18 Share Posted December 13, 2023 1 hour ago, fstuff1 said: this was pre-covid. i just checked and item is no longer sold. Looked similar to this: edit: there might be a type now that plugs into your cigarette lighter instead of directly onto your car battery. This is the one I mentioned a few posts back. Made by HALO. You can get basic one for about $100, but if you live in a storm prone area, you can get a better model with USB, regular plug (so you can make coffee or plug in a lamp) and even an air compressor for flat tires. Amazon and QVC have them. I charge it up in the house a few times a year, it holds a charge very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstuff1 Posted December 13, 2023 #19 Share Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) 43 minutes ago, EatonDoolittle said: This is the one I mentioned a few posts back. Made by HALO. You can get basic one for about $100, but if you live in a storm prone area, you can get a better model with USB, regular plug (so you can make coffee or plug in a lamp) and even an air compressor for flat tires. Amazon and QVC have them. I charge it up in the house a few times a year, it holds a charge very well. These pocket size jumpers now have a Plug for coffee or lamp? Wait.. air compressor? I think you're talking about the old big heavy jumpers that have a lead acid battery and is about a foot tall. The one in my pic has a lithium battery like in Tesla's and fits in my coat pocket. Edited December 13, 2023 by fstuff1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatonDoolittle Posted December 13, 2023 #20 Share Posted December 13, 2023 Here's mine - 5 or so years old, has the jumper cables, which I have used several times. I don't know what kind of battery it is, I just recharge in the wall as mentioned. Measures 7" x 3.5" X 1", size of a paperback book. No air compressor, but I have seen the newer ones advertised recently, which do have that feature. Maybe a bit bigger, don't know. Jumper cables plug into it under the little white cap (loosened for photo) , probably also where an air compressor hose would plug in. Oh, and a light on the opposite end. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstuff1 Posted December 13, 2023 #21 Share Posted December 13, 2023 2 hours ago, EatonDoolittle said: Here's mine - 5 or so years old, has the jumper cables, which I have used several times. I don't know what kind of battery it is, I just recharge in the wall as mentioned. Measures 7" x 3.5" X 1", size of a paperback book. No air compressor, but I have seen the newer ones advertised recently, which do have that feature. Maybe a bit bigger, don't know. Jumper cables plug into it under the little white cap (loosened for photo) , probably also where an air compressor hose would plug in. Oh, and a light on the opposite end. very nice. a 120v plug gives alot of flexibility! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAYA Posted December 14, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted December 14, 2023 20 hours ago, EatonDoolittle said: This is the one I mentioned a few posts back. Made by HALO. You can get basic one for about $100, but if you live in a storm prone area, you can get a better model with USB, regular plug (so you can make coffee or plug in a lamp) and even an air compressor for flat tires. Amazon and QVC have them. I charge it up in the house a few times a year, it holds a charge very well. OMG you sold me at "make coffee". 🤣 I do live in FL with hurricane power outages an occasional experience. After moving to FL in 2016 the power outage from our first hurricane left this caffeine addict begging for coffee from a neighbor with a generator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted December 14, 2023 #23 Share Posted December 14, 2023 My DH highly recommends this one from Amazon: NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Battery Pack, Battery Booster, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 6.0L Gasoline and 3.0L Diesel Engines, Gray https://a.co/d/iNaF3bs 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ReneeFLL Posted December 21, 2023 #24 Share Posted December 21, 2023 On 12/7/2023 at 9:38 AM, EatonDoolittle said: It is a very common issue, especially with newer model cars. Dealers will tell you not to go longer than 7 days without starting, but I have gone 12 days with a new Lexus. That said, when parking for a cruise, I do have a portable jump starter charger in the car, just in case. HALO makes a nice small one for around $100 . The issue is all the background computer programs, which keep running, even though the car is turned off. This allows the lights to turn on and doors to unlock when you walk up to the car, for example That background running does drain the battery after a time Your aggravation may help someone in the future, though. I never knew there was a traveling battery guy. Very industrious on his part. Thanks for posting. We have a 2021 GMC Denali so a newer suv. We have left it parked for 35 - 40 days at a time without having any battery problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATSEAMYLIFE Posted December 26, 2023 #25 Share Posted December 26, 2023 Buy a HALO device. Anybody who has any sense will NOT jump start a stranger's car. There's just to much liability involved with jump starting anyone's vehicle with all the electronics. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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