Auto repair shops and fleet centers are fast-paced environments. Service tools must be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Take portable jump starters. They are daily workhorses, but their dependability relies entirely on how well their internal batteries are maintained. And if you know anything about electricity, you know that good internal battery maintenance increases life and reliability.
That brings us to the idea of manual versus automatic charging. Budget jump starters often require manual charging by way of standard wall outlets. You plug your charger into an extension cord, then plug the cord into the wall. But professionals need a better way. They find it in Clore Automotive’s Booster PAC series of professional jump starters.
A standard Booster PAC feature is automatic charging. It’s made possible through a combination of a special charging pack and onboard circuitry that tightly controls the flow of electricity.
Manual Charging’s Inherent Trap
Charging a portable jump starter manually doesn’t seem like a big deal. You just plug the unit into a standard outlet and let it go. But there is an inherent trap: current continues flowing into the unit as long as it remains plugged in, creating serious operational risks.
- Overcharging – Leaving a unit plugged in for too long can lead to overcharging. As a result, internal lead-acid batteries can overheat.
- Capacity Degradation – Overcharging boils off essential liquid electrolytes that are key to how internal battery cells work. The result could be permanent capacity loss and a shortened lifespan.
- Fire Hazard – Overcharging can also lead to a condition known as thermal runaway. This condition represents a serious fire hazard, especially inside busy automotive shops.
Manual charging requires paying attention. It requires precise tracking so that a unit can be unplugged as soon as it is fully charged. Busy technicians and fleet managers often forget, which only exacerbates the risks of the manual process.
Automatic Charging Changes Everything
Clore Automotive changed the game when it added automatic charging to the Booster PAC line. Automatic charging addresses the issues of manual charging with intelligent, multi-stage charging circuitry. When a Booster PAC unit is connected to AC power through its own power pack, its internal circuitry continuously monitors the state of charge. The benefits are pretty straightforward:
- Fast Bulk Charging – The Booster PAC charger delivers full current to the unit until the internal battery reaches approximately 90% capacity. Technicians enjoy fast bulk charging as a result.
- Precision Absorption – To finish the job, the unit gradually tapers down automatically. Internal batteries are topped off with no risk of overheating or thermal runaway.
- Built-in Maintenance Mode – Once fully charged, a Booster PAC unit drops into low-voltage maintenance mode. Battery state is continually monitored, and the unit only re-engages after self-discharge reaches a certain threshold.
The combined impact of all these features makes it possible for a repair technician or fleet manager to keep a Booster PAC unit perpetually plugged in. Automatic charging guarantees the unit will never be overcharged. Its life will be maximized, and the unit will always be ready to go.
Professionals Demand Automatic Charging
Booster PAC commercial jump starters are found in automotive repair shops and fleet centers all across the country. And why not? The pros demand automatic charging technology that ensures their jump starters are always ready for service. Automatic charging is true set-and-forget technology that doesn’t require constant monitoring.
Even if you are not an automotive professional, consider automatic charging as a must-have feature if you intend to buy a jump starter. Automatic charging will make your life easier and protect your unit against unnecessary damage.