How to connect a portable jump starter
Don’t get stranded with a dead battery! Be sure to always carry a portable jump starter power bank with you on your adventure rides. These handy powerpacks will help recharge your phone or electronics while at the campsite when not needed to save the day from a dead battery.
Below I will help you be prepared to create a simple custom connection so you can use your portable jump starter on any motorcycle with a standard SAE connector which most trickle chargers use. In the process you will eliminate the need to use tools to get at your battery if you ever need to jump start your bike.
While I am using the Halo Bolt 58830 here, the method for how to connect a portable jump starter is the same whatever brand of portable jump starter you choose.
Most power packs have their own proprietary connector at one end and alligator clips at the other.
You are going to want those alligator clips to be replaced for something universal and convenient like the SAE connector shown above.
The Halo Bolt Power Pack is configured with enough different connectors to recharge all your electronics devices while back at base camp.
Charging ports are activated by a push button, and charge level indicator let’s you know how much juice is still left in the pack.
The Halo Bolt has a flash light built in, but considering how inexpensive small flashlights are, don’t let this be your only option when you travel.
Specs on the Halo Bolt are strong for an under $100 option, but as you will find this is just one of many that provide similar utility and value.
First step is to remove the alligator clips.
making sure to leave the wires as long as possible.
An SAE extension cable will allow us to trade out the alligator clips for an SAE connection.
Remove on end of the extension cord.
We are now ready to combine both wires.
Remove 1 1/2” inches of insulation from each wire.
The wire will by bent half way on the exposed section of wire.
Twist once before coming back toward each wire.
Each wire will bend back on itself before twisting around itself.
The is the classic Western Union splice.
The is one of the toughest connections you can make with wire and solder.
Here is the splice ready for Flux paste and then some heat and solder.
Flux will tend to drip as can the solder. So it is advisable to have some cardboard or scrap material to catch the drippings.
A heat gun or a soft flame will do the trick for shrinking the insulation over the connection.
Now we are ready to travel. If we are dry camping we will be able to charge our electronic devices and if our bike battery dies the Halo Bolt will get us going thanks to our SAE connection.
I hope this information is helpful. Good luck with your own ultimate adventure bike build.
Questions, comments or feedback? Hop over to my youtube channel to get the full video walk through.
The Halo Bolt 58830 Power Bank in this video can be found at the following link:
The SAE extension cable used to extend the connection can be found at this link:
SAE Extension Cable 10AWG (Amazon)
Note: I received no free product and I was not paid to make this video. However this channel is subsidized in part by small commissions paid on some product links. So it is helpful and very much appreciated when you use these links to support this channel.
