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Antigravity Microstart Questions

5K views 30 replies 13 participants last post by  rixae86 
#1 ·
After an incident of a dead battery out on a trail, I am looking to pick up one of these microstarts to keep under my seat. I would usually just push start but off road that wasn't an option. I know a few members have them so for those of you familiar can you help me with the following:

How long does the charge last? If I didn't need it for a year, would it have enough juice to jump my DL1000?

My battery is showing as 240CCA. Could I go with a XP1/XP3 or should I get the bigger XP10?

Do the kits come with the cables or are they separate?

Thanks for your help
 
#2 ·
The smallest one will easily start a DL1000 (It is supposed to be able to start a small 6 cylinder car.) I am not sure how long the charge lasts but it is quite a while... I will check mine every month or so and it usually has a full charge.

..Tom
 
#6 · (Edited)
What he said. I have the smallest, most compact one, the Sport, not even the XP-1. Fully charged, it's good for at least several starts of my DL1000. How many exactly? Can't say. However, I can tell you that one start does not diminish the charge enough to show a difference (as judged by the charge indicator LEDs).

I have mine stashed under the seat. I'm glad I read this thread, because it's been around a month since I looked at it last. It will hold a significant charge for months, but you never know when you'll need it. Might as well have it fully charged.

The Microstart has saved my bacon on many occasions. Last December, before I'd worked out that I had a bad stator, and earlier this year, when my battery was on its way out due to the bad stator. It's also available in case a riding buddy has a starting problem.

My car has a very robust charging system, with a recently-replaced alternator and battery. Even so, I'm thinking about buying a second Microstart for in the car. Actually I might go with one of the larger ones, since storage space is not at such a premium in the car. The various sockets on the larger Microstarts (e.g. XP-3) make them more generally useful. You can easily charge a laptop or whatnot with the larger ones, supposing you don't want to or can't charge it from the car's power supply.

These things are darned handy.
 
#3 ·
Unless it was very cold indeed it would last a year but generally they used and used and used they are such a useful farkle. You don't want it tucked under the seat you want it available all the time.

There are a variety of kits but you want a kit with the jumper connection and it will start your bike a dozen times from a single charge.

I have the XP3 and it goes where I go even in the cage ...all our travels...charges, phones, cameras, is a super flashlight ......soooo useful.

These guys have been out on the road for 4 YEARS +!!! and use an XP3 ...it's invaluable.

Quit our jobs, sold our home and everything in it, gone riding... - Page 133
 
#4 ·
I got one at Costco. It worked on my neighbors Honda civic. Used it recently on the Wee. Worked well. Good for charging my phone too.
The instructions say it's good to be recharged many times. I leave it in the top box of the Wee. I check it occasionally. Just push the start button and check the lights. 4 lights is good to go.
 
#8 ·
I don't know about a year but mine is still on 4 lights after sitting around all winter in my car for at least 6 months. Works terrific. I bought 2 after some loser parking attendant left my for ajar while I was on a business trip.

Outbackwack
 
#10 ·
I have both the XP1 and XP3 one in each car ...Started a V8 truck with no problem with the XP3. I take the XP 3 on the motorcycle because of its smaller size. Good Ins. when your in the Boonies....:smile2:
 
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#11 ·
I bought this at canadian tire. During a moderate winter day it got a hard time jumping a v6 ranger. Mind you, a small car would have had a hard time boosting it too. I'd imagine a 400A peak booster wouldn't have been sufficient.
Was the Cdn tire jump starter itself cold?
Lithium batteries need to warm a bit
 
#13 ·
I'd not diss Chinese tech .... QC is QC - Canada Tire being cheap more the issue. Lithium are great in the tropics - my KLR sits for months when I'm away and starts instantly. I used to go through a lead acid every year.. I'm going into 4 years on my Shorai.

Modern vehicles being jump started often need some charge in the main battery so waiting a couple of minutes to try the start helps the lithium warm up and provides a bit of base charge on the flat battery.
 
#16 ·
Modern vehicles being jump started often need some charge in the main battery so waiting a couple of minutes to try the start helps the lithium warm up and provides a bit of base charge on the flat battery.
This is not recommended with lithium batteries, it can start a chemical reaction that may never stop.
 
#15 ·
Check that there is nothing in one of the ports...mine stay one when a cable is attached so maybe that is a factor.
If I get another ( tho my XP3 is going strong ) I'd get one with enough juice for the laptop too.
 
#18 ·
The instructions that came with my mini jump starters said hook to the battery and hit the key without delay and remove the jumper ASAP..

Price will never ensure the quality of a product.
 
#19 · (Edited)
#20 ·
IF the one that has a reputation for quality AND costs more then it's likely to be better quality. Amazon is your friend for reviews.
Agree to disagree?

Higher price doesn't always mean higher quality when it's a re-branded product.

You can get a minimax for about 30% cheaper.

Heck my motomaster cost about 37% less. cranks more amps, and has a reputable brand name backing it.
 
#23 ·
Projecta is a well know brand here in OZ with all things battery related and they have a safety recall on their mini jumpstarter.

"in some circumstances the battery component may overheat after jumpstarting a vehicle and in some cases subsequently catch alight"

So being a big brand does not make them a safe product, they can be dangerous no matter the sticker on the front , beware...
 
#26 ·
They over heat after jump starting not while charging.
 
#25 ·
It was mentioned already, but anti-gravity knock-offs were being sold on amazon a while back. Not saying that explains all the bad reviews, but certainly some of them. If you are looking for one of these do a quick search and you will see how to determine real from fake.
 
#28 ·
I believe it is more likely people leaving the jump starter on too long after the motor has started and getting about 14.2 volts into the unit too quickly thus staring the reaction that causes the heat. ???
 
#29 ·
According to something I read somewhere, what has been known to cause them to swell up (and maybe worse) is letting the voltage get below 12v then using or charging them. The anti-gravity manual specifically warns about letting the voltage go below 12v. No idea what is happening, but I can see that being an easy warning to miss when you are trying to jump a car with the only thing you have and just using and using it.
 
#30 ·

In the spirit of Hallowe'en....

I have just purchased a Noco GB-20 sport jump starter from Canadian Tire, as my battery was dead. We live in a condo with no access to power where we park the bikes, so tenders are not an option, and you only get so many jump calls for free from BCAA, so... for $140 this seemed like a good solution.

Well constructed, durable, can charge items via USB, has a flashlight. Doesn't have a power port, but with most laptops going USB-C now that's less of a worry. Frankly, I thought this was an ok deal, but it works like a hot damn. I know many are convinced that Anti-Gravity are better because they were first, but Noco seems to have a very competitive line of products. This says it will start vehicles up to 4.0L on the 400A, which fortunately I won't be able to test (mine are all 2 litre vehicles, except the bikes).

Anyway, worked first try. It will stay on the bike for sure!
 
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