From Skip:
“Actually, the device disconnects when voltage drops to 11.9volts for one minute.”
This is the condition that defines a discharge battery. Now, is there some juice left? Yes. Is it sufficient on a cold rainy night to get an engine started? Maybe. Give me a fully charged reserved battery that can be switched in any day of the week, that will crank that engine over until it starts. This is not the time to be playing with maybes.
Test procedure from Priority Start. (.Could not copy, had to type in.)
“Leave your headlights on to drain voltage of the battery (do not use any accessory i.e. engine fans, power supply, light bar or any other accessory to “quickly discharge the battery- this can cause damage). When the battery reaches a pre-determined level, it will shut off (the voltage setting is approximately 11.7).” etc.
:
Q: Does PriorityStart! disconnect the battery while the engine is running?
A: No. PriorityStart! is designed to provide battery protection when the engine is NOT running (ignition switch in the off position). It will not disconnect the battery when the engine is running, even though the battery voltage level drops below the factory-set safe threshold. Circuits within this product recognize an "engine running" condition by sensing electrical "noise" (30 mill volts) created by fuel injectors, fuel pump, fan motors, etc., and will not disconnect the vehicle battery. If a vehicle alternator or alternator belt fails, the "engine running" circuitry recognizes the condition and prevents disconnection at the 11.7-volt threshold, allowing the vehicle to continue on the reserve capacity of the battery. In such a situation you are entirely dependent on the reserve capacity of the battery. PriorityStart! will not disconnect the battery as long as the engine is running.
In the preceding 2 paragraphs there are statements that if there is electrical noise; like a fan or engine compartment blower running, the circuit will not disconnect the battery. This is the condition that Rattlesnake Gal and Guy were dealing with.
Q: Doesn't the introduction of PriorityStart! in battery circuit decrease reliability?
A: No. PriorityStart! incorporates a patented heavy duty contact and gear drive system that disconnects and reconnects the battery only when required. The contact resistance is less than 2 milliohm (two thousandth of an ohm), and, in the closed position, exerts a clamping force greater than 75 linear pounds. The net effect of these features is an electrical connection superior to even a normal battery post/cable clamp connection.
PriorityStart! is an electro-mechanical device, thus when it operates you may hear the gears engage, this is normal. The quiescent draw is 4 milliampere in the connect mode, 8 milliampere in the disconnect. Similar to a small LED, or a "negligible" draw. The units are tested and certified to ISO, USCG and SAE standards, shock and vibration protected and is transferable from vehicle to vehicle.
In the preceding paragraph about a decrease reliability with this circuit in the battery circuit. The correct answer is yes. Any time you introduce additional electrical or mechanical devices in series with an existing circuit, the reliability of the circuit will decrease because, of the added components that were introduced which can fail. To increase the reliability of a circuit function, you add a redundant circuit in parallel to take over when the prime circuit fails.
I find that reviewing the Priority Start web site, there is a lot of sales hype.
The jump pack is definitely a viable solution, if the Rattlesnake Gal is incline to use one.
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