This is a nice unit for starting cars, as noted below. But it may be too small for some other 12-volt applications. The lighter-socket outlet will shut off if you exceed 5 amps of continuous draw, and the unit can only store a few "amp/hours" of power. If you need something for overnight use or to do much more than charging a cell phone, you might need a larger unit.
It works fine for starting cars, though. This appears to be identical to the Vector VEC010BD, which sells under the Black and Decker label. B&D has more recognition, I've seen this one (the Vector brand) at some auto supply shops, as well as here on Amazon. So you get the same product, no matter what the label or where you get it.
My neighbor had one of these, and I borrowed it several times to start my car, which was otherwise totally dead. It worked perfectly, even when the unit wasn't fully charged. So I bought my own, charged it overnight as per the instructions, three hours past the blinking green. (Note: the brief manual is very well written, and should be easy to follow.)
For some reason my car would not start right up, as it had the other times with my neighbor's jump starter. The car turned over and over, but wouldn't kick in, and the effort drew down the jump starter's cranking power completely.
The instructions tell you to wait a little when this happens, so I did. After a few minutes, I turned it back on, tried again, and the car started. I don't think it was a matter of a flooded engine, which one might suspect. Just a curious sort of process.
I recharged the Vector unit completely again, and the next time I needed to jump the car, it was instantaneous. I performed multiple jumps without needing a new charge. So, I don't know whether there is anything special about the first time, because every other time I've used it, it has been great.
If you do want it mostly for jump starts, and do not expect to need it as an "emergency power" source for long hours, or to run any kind of serious appliance, it is a fine choice.
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Just like anything you have to develop a relationship to figure out what works best with any equipment you buy.
With this jump box I have figured out what works best to keep the unit charged and working well.
I am a mobile mechanic and I use this jump box frequently for work and more so for jumping my neighbors junky cars all the time.
Simply put, when the box needs charged, you press the charge LED display to see how much juice it has the plug it in overnight or for a few hours during the day.
If you treat it right it will treat you right.....for years.
Sadly after roughly ten years of service my box gave me its first major disappointment although no fault of its own....I left the negative cable loose on the box instead of wrapping it up and hooking it to its keeper post and during transport got crushed and now my negative clamp is totally busted so I can't hook it to anything so looks like I will have to replace it instead of taking it apart.
I could fix it possibly but I think I should retire the old girl.
Just a couple things I never liked bout this box.
1. The cheap LED light never did get very bright to see much plus the switch never worked well from day one...you have to thrash the switch back and forth until you find a happy spot where it actually stays on.
2. The LED charge display check button did not work too well after a couple months....you really have to mash the button down to get it to make a good enough contact to read the charge level so to fix this I just plug it in to charge every few days depending on usage.
3.if the charging clamps were not made of plastic but instead metal or beefy aluminum I think this box would outshine many other boxes and I would not be replacing this unit.
All in all this box has lasted me approximately 10 years and my only major complaint is due to my own negligence.
Advice to keep this box working well.....check the charge level and keep it charged up since it is not magic and will not maintain itself.
You can't expect to charge it then expect it to work six months later the first time you need it.....this is a working mans jump box and of you want to be prepared you have to make sure your tools are maintained.
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If you are considering the Vector VEC010S you should know that you will have to recharge it regularly. The manual says, "Vector recommends that the battery is recharged at least every 60 days." If you don't maintain the charge, if you leave the unit in storage for a long period, the lead acid battery will lose its ability to accept a charge and the unit will become useless. In the introduction the manual says, "Recharge before first use, immediately after each use, and every six months if not used. Failure to do this may reduce the battery life dramatically" Nothing on the outside of the box advises you of this limitation.
The manual also says, "AC Recharge system is an automatic taper charge and be left connected to the main unit for long periods." Maybe this means you can leave it plugged into the charger indefinitely. I was unable to get clarification from the 800 number (see below).
I tried to call 800-544-6986 to find out if there was any chance that the battery could be replaced. Black and Decker transferred me to Baccus Global maker of Black and Decker and Stanley products. Their greeting noted that they no longer provide parts for any Vector branded products. The call was dropped before I was able to speak to anyone. I didn't call back.
Make sure you understand the maintenance requirements before buying this product. It's not something you can leave in the trunk or on the shelf for 12 months at a time.
I would not buy another Vector Jump-Start System or recommend this product to anyone.
Honest reviews on Vector VEC010S 300 Amp Jumpstarter
This thing rides around in the back of the SUV and does a lot of bouncing around. Very tough. I originally bought it for the boat. Yes it worked for that, that was like 4 years ago. I have only charged it up like twice in all these years. It has always worked. Generally the battery level will show 2 lights. I used it like 8 mos ago for some nice old guy in a parking lot at middle school. I am happy to not have been embarrassed. I had to use it the other day for myself. Worked like a charm, and no, I never charged it up after helping the guy at middle school. Still has 2 lights on.
If you are looking to keep your celly charged up while camping I recommend finding a camping spot out of cell range. Otherwise, charge your celly off of your car. If your car dies you can use this to get car going again.
By the way, I have the older, orange version of this, with the 12vDC output/input.
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Easy to use. Effective. I ordered it to replace exact same model/item that I had bought elsewhere several years ago. Lasted a long time. Provides a feeling of security to have it in the trunk everywhere I drive. Fine for the price. Didn't have to use it often, of course; but also didn't have to take it into the house to recharge more than twice a year. Highly recommend for the price.
