One of the handiest types are the ones that are a booster/charger. About a 50-70 amp boost or more and 10 amp charger is a good combination. I have a 50/10 and gave one to my sister. They're great. If you have to get going, just flip it on boost. Some even have a trickle charge setting too.

Otherwise, they're pretty much the same.

BTW, be sure to keep your battery terminals clean so your battery can charge and your car can make use of the battery.

Can you recommned a particular Brand?

I'll have to go look at the brand(s) that I have. I have a 6 amp charger and the booster charger, but frankly, there's not a lot of difference between them. There's not a lot of different brands to really choose from. Actually, since I've had mine for so many years now, well, decades, going by brand name on mine wouldn't be a good idea since who knows if they're built the same way. Might be a good idea to go to a reputable auto parts store, but I'd go ahead and check the discount places too. Like I said, there's not a lot of manufacturers I've seen of the booster chargers but I do recall that at the time I got mine they could vary a lot in price. I think I paid about $50-$60 for mine and there were others, not really better, charging over $100 for similar. So shop around. Also, have a heavy duty extension cord in case you need it. Don't try using a lightweight one, invest in a good heavy outdoor cord.

As I think about it, mine might be a 30 amp booster, I'd have to check. I'll double check. But it will put a charge in much faster. The alternative if you can't find a booster/charger is a 12-15 amp charger. That'll charge faster. The great thing about the boost is that it can get you going in seconds rather than having to wait 10, 20 or more minutes for it to charge.

Remember safety rules with handling them. Never try to charge a frozen battery if you're in cold weather areas, or at least, only use a small trickle charger. It's best to then warm the battery, thaw it out before charging. A frozen battery, if it truly freezes is probably not much good anymore.

Also, batteries give off gas when charging. Be careful in enclosed areas, and even outdoors. If you connect them wrong or short them out, there's a possibility of the battery blowing up. It is rare, but be aware it can happen. Not trying to scare you away, just show respect. I always connect the charger, double and triple check that red is to positive and black to negative and then turn away and even step away if possible then switch on the charger. If the needle doesn't go up but you hear the buzzing of the charger, you probably don't have a good connection on the battery. Shut off the charger, wiggle the clamps on the connectors and try again. Batteries can build up a corrosion.

Be safe, be happy.

Just looked at them over the weekend. Actually used one too. The 6 amp is a Schauer brand and the 10/30 booster is a Mighty Mite.

Why is the car battery going dead to begin with?
Bad battery? Bad alternator? Wiring fault?

Pooh Bear

I was going to say what Pooh Bear said. Whenever it used to happen to, it always meant I needed a new alternator.

Ask local relatives, friends, neighbours, colleagues at work, sport, social, religious, etc. organizations - some will have one, explain about them and where to get what you want, plus probable price.

My battery's old, so CAA guy told me when I called for a boost, says that I need a replacement.

Sometimes it starts the car in the morning, usually if it's been sitting for a few days or the weather's cold, I need to charge it for a few minutes, then boost it using high power on the charger.

Usually it'll start as I run around during the day, but if I'm making several stops after not running long, I try to find a place to park on a slight slope - I have a standard tranny, and moving at even a slow pace is enough to start it (and, as in many things ... experience helps).

In a situation such as this ... be sure to carry booster cables!

ole joyful

P.S. Make a list, plus contact info, e.g. email, of everyone that you've known since childhood: school, (maybe work), neighbours, various groups and associations as mentioned above. Write some info regarding the skills, employment, interests and various items describing each. When you want some information, or contacts, etc., if you contact some of them, you'll find someone who can tell you what you want. Store on computer for ease of editing, juggling, adding ... plus searching!

If that list doesn't save you hundreds during your lifetime, I'll be surprised, e.g. advice from a mechanic when seeking a "pre-owned" car (I bought my last new one over 30 years ago).

By the way - that's been my no-cost, repeated "Christmas gift" on these forums for several years ... for a fuller description it may be available if you look on "Money Saving Tips" or "Household Finance", maybe "Retirement", back two, three or four years, I think. Not on "Kitchen Table" - after going through 67 pases there, threads fall off of the cliff into the abyss after upwards of three months.

o j