These Frequently Asked Questions are a supplement to the Owner's Manual and Safety Instructions. Please review the
Owner's Manual for safety warnings and precautions, and assembly, operating, inspection, maintenance, and cleaning
procedures.
The proper jumpstart power depends on your vehicle. Below are the key points that you should consider when
selecting a jump starter.
- A smaller vehicle will require less cranking amps to start than a larger vehicle
- An older and/or improperly maintained vehicle will require more cranking amps than a similar vehicle
that has been properly maintained
- Starting a vehicle in cold weather will require more cranking amps
- Deeper discharged battery levels will require more cranking amps to start
Additionally, please consider key performance features for your selection
- Cranking amps (or Starting Current/Amps) are the maximum power that a jump starter can produce. You can
find this information on the product’s packaging and its product webpage.
- Choose a jump starter with a higher cranking amp rating than your battery’s Cold Crank Amps (CCA)
rating. For example, if your vehicle’s battery is rated at 420 CCA, a fully-charged jump starter rated
at 500A will ensure that you have enough power to start the vehicle even in cold weather.
For jump starters, the peak amps indicate the maximum initial power of the battery installed inside the jump
starter. However, the cranking amps rating is often the more practical measure to gauge a jump starter’s ability
to start a vehicle because it takes into account the jump starter’s entire system, including the battery and the
power delivery system, that will deliver the power needed to start a dead battery.
There are two types of jump starters: Lead Acid and Lithium-Ion jump starters. Each battery type has advantages
and disadvantages.
Lead Acid Jump Starters start at a lower price point and work well in cold weather. It is less energy dense,
charges slower, and requires more maintenance than a Lithium-Ion battery.
Lithium-Ion Jump Starters start at a higher price point. They are more energy dense, lighter/more compact, and
have a longer lifespan than jump starters with Lead Acid batteries. They also require less maintenance and
charge faster than Lead Acid Jump Starters.
The internal battery of a jump starter requires proper maintenance to ensure that it performs as intended and to
prolong its lifespan. Your jump starter may not charge if:
- The battery lifespan is nearing its end;
- The internal battery is in poor health;
- The power source, charging cable, or charger is damaged; or
- The battery is cold
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for maintenance instructions.
Because of their battery chemistry, lithium batteries may not work effectively when stored or used in an
extremely cold environment. Refer to the recommended storage temperature in the Owner’s Manual for proper care
of the lithium jump starter. VIKING jump starters are designed to allow users to continue jumpstarting in the
cold. Attempts to jump start will warm up the internal battery. Although the first several jumpstart attempts
may produce low power, repeating the process will warm up the battery to produce the necessary power to start
your vehicle so long as your jump starter has adequate charge.
The battery is the key driver of the jump starter. To ensure that your jump starter performs as intended and has
a long life, regularly inspect the jump starter’s battery charge status. Please consult the Owner’s Manual for
operating and maintenance instructions. Your jump starter may have a reminder marking on the product or a
sticker, while some models have the reminder built-in the system with a visual display and audible alert as the
battery charge approaches low status.
- Inspect and check battery status every 3 – 6 months. Top off the battery charge level when it drops
below 50%.
- A typical lithium life cycle is between 500 – 1,000 cycles or the equivalent of approximately 3-5 years
of normal usage.
- When the battery becomes bad or is at the end of its service life, refer to the Owner’s Manual for
services or replace the jump starter. Symptoms of a bad battery include the battery not charging, as
indicated by the lack of LED indicators or LCD display showing a charge.
- Never recharge the battery when it is cold. Doing so may damage the internal battery. Refer to the
recommended charging temperature range listed on the product or in the Owner’s Manual.
- Excessive use of the jump starter as a power bank can reduce its lifecycle.