Product Alert- Schumacher Insant Power IP-125C

[Ufatz]

Bought two of these because they are relatively small and lightweight. Charged one totally, hooked to dead battery on Yamaha 115 and it would BARELY turn it over and clearly could not start it! Recharged. Tried again next day. Followed all instructions. Couple groans out of engine and that is all. This is a Yamaha 4-stroke that usually starts before you can get your fingers off the key. Two chunks of junk!

Worse yet.....last winter I relied on a Schumacher trickle charger. Came to use car and battery flat dead.

I used Schumacher stuff for fifty years or more but something has gone very wrong in their factory.....wherever that might be.

You have been warned!

[Black_Bay]

That doesn't surprise me. Many outboards have a high marine cranking amp requirement for batteries. The power packs typically don't have the juice for an extended time to do it.

My uncle had a similar situation as you this year. His Mercury 115 4 stroke battery was dead because he left the key on for a few days. He tried a power pack and it wouldn't start. He tried his truck battery and it would only turn the outboard over but still didn't start. It took a fully charged battery with enough MCA to actually fire the outboard up. It seems that a small 4 cylinder 4 stroke outboard would start easier than a car but they don't.

[highlife4me]

When it comes to these portable jumpstart units you want to buy the biggest one you can afford. You want one with heavy duty cables and clamps and will put out at least 300 cranking amps. Stay away from the ones with the radios, air compessors and fancy lights, just more to go wrong. The extra 50 - $100 you spend will make the difference of one that is garbage and one that you can depend on for a number years.

[Ufatz]

Interesting thoughts BlackBay. And for the record, this unit says it is an AGM battery rated to 750A, BUT.....I have noticed, "jump starting 250A @ 5-seconds.

Tried again this afternoon....a couple turns and that was it. It may well be that this unit CANNOT DO what it purports to do. In which case why put it with the marine electronics section etc.

Funniest part is all I want to do is get the boat out of the water and in to the detail and winterizing shop so I can sell it. Looks like this summer was my last aboard boats. I have really enjoyed this boat too (1750 FishHawk?) and somebody will get a pretty nice boat since it was used maybe 20 hours a summer by two old farts! LOL

Thanks fellas. I will try one of these little Pitz Ant boosters on my wife's little car.....maybe it can turn that!!

So I guess I will use wheelbarrow to take a fully charged batt down the dock tomorrow. My own fault....walked off and left the bilge pump and lights on. Another reason it's time to hang it up.

[Ufatz]

Final note:

If indeed the unit is simply not capable of jump starting my 115 Yamaha then I may owe Schumacher and apology for implying their chargers are junk-or at least this one-and that my use of it in this instance is my fault.

Regardless, this model which boasts 750 cranking amps but then points out, in smaller print that it will only "jump" 250 amps for a very limited time.....will be of little value to most of us in these forums in my opinion.

I have two of them and I plan to give them away to somebody who jump starts a go cart or powered wheelbarrow.

[cold one sd]

I have a jump starter rated at 1150 amps and it starts my 150 Verado with no problems.

[PurpleFloyd]

Final note:

If indeed the unit is simply not capable of jump starting my 115 Yamaha then I may owe Schumacher and apology for implying their chargers are junk-or at least this one-and that my use of it in this instance is my fault.

Regardless, this model which boasts 750 cranking amps but then points out, in smaller print that it will only "jump" 250 amps for a very limited time.....will be of little value to most of us in these forums in my opinion.

I have two of them and I plan to give them away to somebody who jump starts a go cart or powered wheelbarrow.

It always helps to read the specs carefully before you buy something so that you are sure it can do what you need it to before bashing the company in an internet forum.

[harvey lee]

I agree Purple, if it was stated on the package what it can and cannot do, then you should not slam the company as you cannot expect it to do something it is not rated for.

Not buyer beware, reader beware.