Can you charge up a jump starter by USB?

Yes, you absolutely can charge some jump starters with a USB cable. My own jump starter is a Noco which comes packaged with a USB cable instead of a wall plug.

These tiny units pack a real punch. I won’t bore you with the specs, you can read that over at Amazon, but I will show you just how they can get you out of a pickle if you need one.

The breakdown

I bought a new van recently and I’d been driving it around for a few days before I needed to fill the fuel tank.

I pulled into Asda to fill up and half the pumps were off due to maintenance with the maintenance guy there working on them. No problem, I joined the queue to use the pumps still in use after checking which side the fuel cap was (apparently the fuel cap is always on the side that the little pump icon shows on your dashboard, cool tip!)

When I got to the pump, I got out to fill up and the maintenance guy pops over and says the pumps off. I looked at him in disbelief. “I’ve been queuing all this time!” I said exasperated. He assured me it would be 2 minutes.

It was quicker than that, so I refuelled, paid at the pump and got back in the van.

I turned the key.

Nothing…

A queue of cars all waiting to use the pump next were stacking up behind me.

I turn the key again.

Nothing.

Now I’m fairly mechanically minded, and I know how to check a battery so I get out, grab my mini toolbox and tell the car behind that I’ve broken down. She was furious with me.

I ignored her, opened the battery cover (driver footwell in a Peugeot Expert) and tested the battery with a multimeter. 11 volts.

For a 12-volt battery to be anything less than 12 volts means it’s empty. So I need a jumpstart to get going.

I get the feeling that the lady behind me isn’t going to help…

I call my friend, she’s going to be 20 minutes.

As I sit and wait, embarrassed, slap bang in the middle of a busy filling station (unmanned, all pay at pumps these days to save wages…) several cars pull up, honk their horn as if I haven’t seen them, I tell them I’ve broken down and they drive off to another pump.

No one offered any help.

The shopping trip

My friend arrives, jumps the van and we drive to the local car parts store where I purchase a new battery, and a jump pack just in case.

Gone are the days when a jump pack weighs 10 kilos and takes up half your boot space. (check out the video I uploaded below to see just how much they differ in size these days)

I choose a little Noco as I’d seen other van lifers using them in videos, so I was familiar with the brand and to be fair, they were only slightly more expensive than an unbranded make.

I bought the Noco GB40 1000amp which was powerful enough to start my diesel van (the smaller one seemed to be for small petrol engines only) and I paid £120. They’re cheaper on Amazon but I needed it straight away for peace of mind and I don’t have Amazon prime.

I’d have paid more not to ever be embarrassed like that again!

How do you charge a Noco Jump Pack with USB?

It comes packaged with a USB charger cable so you literally plug one end into the unit and the other into a USB socket, either in the house or in your campervan.

If you have a solar system like mine connected to your electrical supply then wait until your leisure batteries are charged up on a sunny day, then start charging all your devices including your jump pack without it draining your leisure batteries. As the devices take power from your batteries, your solar should be putting it back in just as fast.

How to tell if your car battery is dead

There are several signs that your car battery may be dead or dying. Here are some of the most common signs:

1. Your engine won’t start or is slow to start. If you turn the key in the ignition and the engine doesn’t turn over, or it takes longer than usual to start, this could be a sign that your battery is dead.
2. Dim headlights or interior lights. If your headlights are dim, or your interior lights are noticeably dimmer than usual, this could be a sign that your battery is not providing enough power.
3. Electrical issues. If you notice electrical issues such as your radio, power windows, or dashboard lights not working correctly, it could be a sign of a weak battery.
4. Strange sounds. If you hear strange sounds when you try to start your car, such as clicking or grinding noises, this could be a sign that your battery is dead or dying.
5. Corrosion or swelling. If you notice corrosion on the battery terminals or swelling of the battery case, it could be a sign that your battery is damaged and needs to be replaced.

If you experience any of these signs, it is best to have your battery checked by a professional to determine if it needs to be replaced.