Jump start booster pack dissected in pictures

[T_C]

Had one of the modern style booster packs that is supposed to (and does) allow jump starting a car/bike gas engine from something about the size of 2 card decks. This one was advertised as having 10,000 mah capacity for charging USB devices.

It did work, but now it don't.

Let's see the guts:





Can see the power source is 3 lithium polymer flat cells, 3.6 amp/hr each




Showing the high power outlet terminals are direct connect. The reverse protection and over amperage cutoff is provided by the electronic black box in the jumper leads.


Three black wires are all parallel connections to primary negative. Whte wire is for measuring voltage (charge depth) of first cell. Yellow wire is for measuring 2nd cell. Red wires are for measuring 3rd cell and providing overall charge input and generic 5v/12v output.

 

[RaYzerman]

Nice dissection....... what do you think is wrong with it, depleted batteries? Not that I'm an expert, but if lithiums discharge too low, I've heard they can't be revivied.....

 

[T_C]

what do you think is wrong with it, depleted batteries? Not that I'm an expert, but if lithiums discharge too low, I've heard they can't be revivied.....

One of the cells is dead. First cell on bottom of pack. Other two are measuring 4+ volts and third is measuring 0.25.

Yes, sometimes you can revive if they get too low, but do so very carefully. Outside and away from anything flammable. Initial charge after being depleted should be in the very low (below 100) mah area.

If I can't recover it I will trash the unit. I could try to find a replacement cell and insert it but then making the connections and I would have one new cell and 2 old cells. Not being matched they will work but not optimal. If I do trash the electronics I will save the two good cells and make a nice mid size portable USB supply.

 

[T_C]

After doign soe researcha nd reading reviews and real work tests I decided on the replacment jump pack.
The pack seemed big and lightweight for it's size. Yes, had a few more capabilites then the old one but still seemed bit lightweight for size. How much air did I just buy?
Needed to check it out:


Nope, not much wasted space. Maybe they could have made the unit not so tall, get rid of some of the rubber spacers. But it's not too bad.

Overall specs say 80Wh of battery. I can't find any numbers on the battery but measuring them at 65mm x 135mm x 6 mm it calcualtes about right.

 

[ST1100Y]

Maybe the lightning is impacting the perception, but the terminal with the red wires appears to have overheated/annealed?

 

[ST Gui]

Maybe the lightning is impacting

Important safety tip: I'd definitely keep lightning away from a jump pack or the bike entirely!

the terminal with the red wires appears to have overheated/annealed?

I was wondering if that was just the result of soldering (which could also be a cause of the overheating).