75ZT Community

Following a flat battery last Friday (my fault), I decided to purchase the above suppliers 'Dynamic Jump Starter' Cat code: 210930-0 via their Website.

I paid extra for next day delivery ( total cost £67.98.) and it arrived at 2pm today.

The mains charger input port was recessed inside the plastic body rendering the device useless.

I contacted 'Customer Support'. The item will be collected tomorrow and a replacement sent next week, once the faulty item has been examined, as

'it may be a damage in transit matter' ...

Amazed at the lack of empathy for my position, I asked to be referred to a superior. I was advised 'there's no point - as the answer would be the same'.

When I requested Halford's head office switchboard number, I was told ' We are head office'.

OK can I have your outside number - other than 'Customer Services' she declined to provide it.

Unbelievable complacency from a public company ...

I've requested a full refund, and now can't use the car until I can get an alternative delivered.

Halfords - no thank you never again.

I personally found that these were useless on our Diesels and couldn't start them if battery flat! (Got a refund)
In the cold you have no chance at all of turning the engine over with this.
These are much better but still only truly 40A: http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-333053/clar ... arter.html
or http://www.tantronics.co.uk/acatalog/Ri ... erter.html

I quote from a Diesel owner on their review comments (not mine) on the Halfords unit

Pros: great for a motorcycle i imagine.

Cons: lacking in power even when fully charged


"I purchased this in the hope it would start a 2 Litre Diesel Peugeot with a flat Battery how mistaken I was, It simply isn't man enough for the job, It's the same old Story "you pay peanuts and you get Monkeys"
Sorry but there it is. At least Halfords gave me a refund without any hassle, and asked "Oh do you have a Diesel?" that said it all. If they know they're lacking in power for the job in hand , Why sell them at all?"

Hello John,

I hadn't thought of the suitability, the wretched thing never got that far. I'll be getting the Extra Heavy Duty one. It's going to happen again, and I'd rather spend more and be confident.

Many thanks for your help,


Martin

Some B&Q branches have jump start boxes on offer at the moment. I bought a medium size one and it fired up a 1.8 at the last Nano with no problem.

01527 517601 was the main switchboard number if you still want it.

David Wilds is their CEO

Well I've just charged the battery for 16 hours. Trouble is the charger I have is only 4amp and was previously used for a Lawn Mower Battery.

Not understanding these things, I read 12volts on the box and presumed it would suffice.

Reading Duncan's reference to B&Q I wonder if it's put in enough oomph to turn over a 2 litre diesel?

Martin

If it's a 12 volt charger Martin, given time, it will charge up your car battery fully. In fact, it is possible that a relatively slow trickle charge might be of benefit to the battery.

Thanks Paul,

I thought that might be the case, it's been on for 16 hours, and I've given it a rest. The battery was not flat and was almost strong enough to power the starter anyway, so hopefully it should now be OK?

Martin

I would think it will be "good to go" Martin

Re-connected this evening - perfect start etc. One thing, I have a facelift and in the battery compartment there is a strap that fits over the battery for stability. Its secured by a bolt in bracket that secures the battery base anyway.

In my reduced state, I found that whilst I could secure the bracket with a socket and extension, (and some difficulty), the strap was beyond me.

I can't quite work out whilst the strap should be necessary, as the said foothold bracket seems to hold it good and tight anyway?

Surely a cost saving missed by the accountants of Phoenix!

Chartermark wrote:Surely a cost saving missed by the accountants of Phoenix!

Glad your sorted, agreed, purely an aesthetics thing to my mind. As an aside Martin, was two splines on the steering wheel correct?

Perfect thanks Dave. It's coming off again though this weekend, as I've had my spare Smokestone / Light Oak wheel re-finished in Burr Walnut to match the interior.

I employed a specialist steering wheel only restorer, used by many classic car clubs, so it wasn't cheap. It was still financially prudent however compared to a 'Chinese' red walnut in Sandstone and then having to paint the leather?

I'm really looking forward to the whole project being finished next week when Simon's Bulgaria Interior trim kit (plus specials) also arrives.

My regards to Marina ...


Martin

Martin, I'm guessing the strap is there in case of a crash. The clamp itself probably wouldn't retain the battery under crash conditions, but the strap over the top of it would prevent it moving too far. Batteries being so heavy have a lot of intertia!

Never seen a strap over battery or box before on our cars?

JohnDotCom wrote:Never seen a strap over battery or box before on our cars?

Had one in both of my 75s. You're deprived John

Most strange Paul, your probably right but on 2 MK1s and a MK2 now feel I'm missing out.

Duncan wrote:Martin, I'm guessing the strap is there in case of a crash. The clamp itself probably wouldn't retain the battery under crash conditions, but the strap over the top of it would prevent it moving too far. Batteries being so heavy have a lot of intertia!

Duncan, it's oft quoted that people grow to resemble their dogs, your post provokes thought to my increasing similarity with the 75 ...

raistlin wrote:Had one in both of my 75s. You're deprived John

I think you've misspelled that, Paul.

Duncan wrote:

raistlin wrote:Had one in both of my 75s. You're deprived John

I think you've misspelled that, Paul.

I used the word... advisedly Duncan