Harbor Freight Cen-Tech 3 in 1 power pack died in a year. Let's fix it!

[@paulchutchins]

I have had one for years. I use it more for camping than jumping, but I have used it for that too. I let it sit for a year and had to replace the battery. I kept an eye on the charge and kept it charged and the battery has lasted a couple years so far.

[@scottscratcher1220]

Thank you for your time and effort, next time I will try and keep the battery pack charged after every use , monthly ect. and I hope these batteries don't have a memory like others do then the hours of use would be less and less . I'm going to look at what type of battery it is and hope it has no memory so they last longer but you know how they market and sell products it could go either way.

[@mikejiskra7976]

Thanks, I have the exact same problem with the exact same power pack. Mike from Nebraska

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

Mark k. You are right, my goal was to install a much improved battery for the same price as replacing the unit, one that would last 3 years not one more. Only time will tell if it pays off or not... Thanks for the comment!

[@markk2403]

funny part is. i needed it the same day. to jump some gals buggy at Sprawlmart. "good job!" .nice.

[@markk2403]

no longer will i have to back my '97 ford rustybird into spaces. and go around with jumper cables. begging for a jump. and though i just dumped in a new batt? years ago. hee . have a good 1.

[@joepg1608]

So did it pay off. I have a dead charger. Trying to decide buy a new one or replace the battery 🔋

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

I am not happy with it at all. Don't get another one...

[@j.b.335]

Got this very pack about a year ago on sale ..only actually used it as a jump starter like twice now , but works good Mostly use it as power station for for camping and tailgating. . Which is quite a bit ... not holding up these days as good as she used to .. definitely gonna do this lil upgrade

[@electric8668]

Here's a tip get a battery maintainer and attach it to the internal battery terminals with the ring connectors that will keep your unit fully charged at optimal power and make the battery last longer. I did it with mine and it's much better than the AC adapter that comes with most because they want it disconnected once it's fully charged and if you keep it at home like me it can go dead before you use it. But a good battery maintainer will give the battery the equivalent of exercising to maintain it's power, health, longevity and optimal power.

[@roynajecki1100]

Electric - to bypass the internal charger, do you keep the plastic back case of the Cen-Tech disassembled (unscrewed) from the unit so you can attach the battery minder (trickle charger) directly to the internal battery? Or perhaps you drilled holes through the case, attached short wires to the internal battery that extend out of the case, so you can attach the battery minder?

[@electric8668]

@@roynajecki1100No. You attach the ring connectors leaving the end that connects to the maintainer on the outside. Then you close the back retighten the screws you removed to connect the maintainer directly to the battery's terminals. That way you simply disconnect the maintainer whenever you need to move/use the booster. Final Tip. Don't use a maintainer that constantly charges at full power no matter how small the charge. It must be a smart intelligent charger that reduces to the point of only keeping battery topped off to maintain optimal charger and prevent burning up the battery. Something like the following charger. www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-1-2-Amp-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-compatible-with-6-and-12-Volt-AGM-GEL-and-WET-automotive-marine-batteries-BM3B/202710992

[@ks_hunter7327]

@@electric8668 you should make a video of your improvements

[@electric8668]

@@ks_hunter7327 Thanks for the suggestion but I don't have the time to do it justice.

[@nilent]

@@electric8668 would simply connecting the smart trickle charger to the + and - ends of the attached jumper cables work?

[@missreynolds3637]

We have an old power pack we got from Marlboro w/ marlboro miles years ago. The battery was dead in it my hubby got a little battery for it off amazon for $17.50 works like a charm again saved our butts a few times already. Now we just need to find our other one.? Two is better than one.

[@onefixitman]

You left the anti vibration tabs on the old battery. No big deal. Great repair. Hopefully it will last longer than a year or two.

[@sonyagriffy]

Thank you for this. my 3 in 1 quit as well. I'm gonna try this. Thank you again.

[@georgehofgren6123]

I would recommend putting a desulphator on the the battery within the first year, in fact right @ brand new, if possible. These things sit for a Long time before someone buys one and the batteries are developing a coating. Just zap (desulfate) them as soon as you can and you should be much better off, capacity wise. Should be able to hook your charger directly up to the leads and not take it apart. The use the desulfate mode on your home battery charger for about 24hrs ~

[@panthers559]

Hey Glenn can we get an update for March of 2020 on how its holding up?

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

Great question ... It's a POS... Should do another video, the internal charger is garbage.

[@panthers559]

@@GlennsSpeedShop any way to change the internal charger ?

[@Woody21369]

Excellent video.... I know this is over 3 years old but thanks it definitely gave me a place to start. I have the Cen-Tech 5-1 and like you the first year it was great now the last 2 years it sucks. I had to buy a new charge cable ($10 on Amazon) and after 36 hours of charging the red charging light stays on (supposed to shut off), it says 100% or 12.8 volts... With no load this thing should be in the 13.2... 13.6 volt range yes?

[@allenramirez2778]

Thanks dude, I'm all about saving cheese whenever possible, I bought the $70 one so $35 sounds good

[@GrandmaSezSo]

My husband got one of these b/c it is required equipment to have a jump box as a pilot car driver. Didn't last a year. Most stuff bought at Harbor Freight is junk.

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

Yea.. it's junk...

[@georgehofgren6123]

Just a quick question... I see you were unhappy with the H.Frieght unit, but a Lot of people don't use it correctly (really). Unlike the rest of the jump packs on the market, This one will Not jump your vehicle once you hook it up... You MUST wait 4minutes or so. It literally works differently than all the rest. Comes with a big tag right on the handle explaining it to folks. So, you might have forgot... easy to do. Just wanted you to be aware in case the battery upgrade Really worked 💁‍♂️ ✌️ ~

[@georgehofgren6123]

Edit- You must wait 4minutes AFTER you hook it up AND turn it On -👍 👌

[@PrismaxMan]

has the new battery held up? or was it the charging circuit?

[@chrisstanley81]

Good job hombre !! Do you know what's the cca on that pack ? I was gonna buy a Stanley on Ebay and the seller refunded me the money because he said they were coming out deffective. Cheers !!

[@fritzgolden6237]

I have the exact same one. Forgot to charge it for about 6 months. I might try this.

[@busman7228]

Next time if you want a lead acid jump box get a Jump and Carry. Those things have about 425 cranking amps and will start a 8 liter V-8. And will last for about 7 years if charged every 3 months. That’s what we use in our college transportation department. Harbor Freight ones are cheap because they use weak batteries.

[@busman7228]

Of course if you jump a vehicle, do a recharge on the unit

[@joepg1608]

So how did the life of the new battery 🔋 compare to the original 🔋

[@warf-oc9yz]

Plug on back of unit broke. Anyone know where I can get a replacement ? Tried soldering a lead to it but it did not work. Thanks for the help !

[@nicholascremato]

Now I know if I buy one you can get a battery for it! Thanks!!

[@ronmills8092]

I bought two of these from harbor freight their junk. I had two from snap-on and they lasted a long time. Had one was 14 years old. It still worked well, till it got stolen. If you spend the money and buy a Snap-on you get your money's worth.

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

Yep.. it's junk...

[@RoundheadRecords]

I plug mine in - turn to on - I get a solid green light and a blinking red with a tone? Unable to find something in the manual on tones and blinking lights - all they show is flags for danger and stuff. Anyone have an idea?

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

Mine continues to be a POS... After charging it this week I checked the voltage and got 9.6. Hooked it to a battery tender to get it back to 12.6.

[@mcchasingsunsets]

so, two years later. how did the battery hold up.

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

This was never much good as a jump box but I do use it alot as a 12 volt power source. I have a 12 volt water pump out of an rv, used it yesterday all day to transfer water from a 50 gallon drum to my 250 gal tote and pump 70 gal of water into my Bus Conversion. I did buy a much better one for use as a jump box.

[@pastorlugo121]

Outstanding video. Now I know what to do with mine. Thanks a lot.

[@tomschmidt381]

Thanks for the repair video. One thing I noticed I think you said it was constantly being charged. I have the same jump pack and the manual indicates the charger is dumb so if you leave it connected permanently it will overcharge the battery and kill it.

[@busman7228]

Yeah probably what’s happening, he keeps killing batteries because of overcharging. Some packs have auto chargers that lets unit be plugged in all the time. We use a battery tender plugged in to the 12 volt dc port of our Jump N Carry 660 and keep it charged all the time. Lasted 7 years

[@busman7228]

Our 660 at the time didn’t have auto charging. The new ones do.

[@JohnMarascia]

Can you reverse the anode and cathode on the dead battery then charge it. Or would it explode?

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

I am not sure I understand your question. You can change the polarity on many batteries by draining the battery 100% dead and charging it backwards. I know it works with lead acid type but not sure about other types...

[@iEditProjects]

Great job. I just picked up the 5 in 1 and it’s charging as we speak

[@brianfitzpatrick7882]

say that after 6 months,,good luck with that

[@iEditProjects]

brian fitzpatrick I’m confident It’ll hang in there. I have another brand unit and after 3 years it still works. These units have to be maintained. You can’t leave it in the corner for 3 months and expect it to work.

[@Dosindapendence]

Ain't going to last long you'll see!

[@dmanbigd1]

no four foot screwdrivers available?

[@tony7936]

Put a link where you got the battery

[@1egobreaker]

Great vid. On a side note, where'd you get that really long Phillips head screwdriver?

[@kielia727]

Can this be charged with a solar panel ?

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

I will experiment with your idea and may put up a video, maybe this weekend. Be sure your subscribed and hit the notification bell to be alerted of the video. Thanks for the question...

[@kielia727]

@@GlennsSpeedShop , your welcome.

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

Video is posted!

[@AmmoDawg61]

Thank you so much. Very helpful video.

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

Very common battery size. In a lot of ups and alarm systems as backup. Can find at lots of battery stores. Can get any where from 17 ah to 22 ah with identical dimensions. We charges ours using an external 3 stage smart charger via the jumper cables on the pack. Our is still going strong on 2 years. In our experience those batteries last 5-9 years when only discharged less than 50% and recharging fully immediately after discharging. Typically the internal chargers can over/under charge the battery so we rarely use the internal charger. Hope this helps save you from buying batteries annually.

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

Thanks for the great comment!

[@cruz936]

Is there a warranty on that battery you ordered?

[@joelcordeiro2079]

This is a little more than 3 years later. How is the battery working. Is it still? Also what state are you located?? Thanks for the video. Thumbs up!

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

The unit is a POS. Junk. I can charge it with a battery charger and use it for light 12 volt loads only. Bought a new better one.

[@joelcordeiro2079]

@@GlennsSpeedShop thanks, I won’t spend the money for a replacement battery. I bought one from Costco seven years ago and still works, but the one from Harbor Freight is a POS!

[@BigNateSilva1984]

Did you keep it charged like recommended

[@VB-bk1lh]

The one I have won't stay charged, it goes dead in a few days if left unplugged. The built in charger is suspect at best.

[@xfactorbionic6947]

I didn’t charge mine for a year and when I try to plug it on the electricity, all red and yellow and green lights flash. I don’t know what that means somebody help???

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

I started using a battery tender charger on mine. Just hook it up and turn on the switch and the tender will tell you when charged.

[@xfactorbionic6947]

Will the Noco Genius 1 battery charger work? I have one

[@ericbarnett6771]

The instructions explicitly state that you need to charge the battery monthly in order to charge the battery. I'm guessing you left it sitting for months at a time without charging it.

[@TheChewy78]

Could leave it plugged on the charger

[@TheFreshPeddler]

I suspect you guys are taking it overly literally when he said continuously and that he probably meant just when trying charge it with nothing happening. It says not to overcharge.

[@ssnoc]

If it only costs $45 new, why would you spend $33 for a replacement battery? Why not just get another unit?

[@joepg1608]

They are $60-$70 full price. On sale for $40. He also put a bigger battery 🔋 than the original one had to see ifit lasted longer than the year he got from the original one

[@JorgeTorres-ru6jm]

Like the instructions state, charge li once a month!

[@cecilcooper6210]

Good Job. Didn't you have a 1 year warranty?

[@TheChewy78]

You should use a battery maintainer on it

[@joseph19761]

Buy a TackLife T-8 will jump start up to 15-20 cars plus charges usb Devices , plus a built in flash light .....well worth it....

[@dmanbigd1]

BE NICE IF YOU WOULD SHOW US THE INSTALL CONNECTIONS,dugh.

[@randysimmons9838]

dmanbigd1 + to+...- to -

[@Lions_Gate]

You are supposed to drain your car charger power pack every 3 months (turn it on, drain it, then plug in and charge back to 109%) then charge it up. If you let it sit in your trunk from the day you buy it and charge it to 100% and never use it it will be of no use to charge your car after sitting for a year.

[@busman7228]

I disagree Geo. You don’t have to drain it just charge it every 3 months and you will fine

[@busman7228]

Don’t buy a cheap jumper pack like Harbor Freight. Get a Jump and Carry and will last for a few years.

[@cecilcooper6210]

Harbor Freight insurance would have paid you back, huh?

[@keithwalker4090]

All you really need the battery I guess if you like the plastic box go for it!

[@sonyagriffy]

Keith Walker cant hook a cell phone up to the battery or charge a laptop on it without the outlets so yeah, I think you're gonna need the box as well.

[@Dosindapendence]

You should not have to pay for another battery,this company needs to reimburse you,that ain't right mine also did the same but 3 months and died..They keep losing business they wont have nothing to sell.Garbage!

[@markk2403]

you dis-assembled. and went out and bought a batt. for 34 bux. on a $40 charger. that you said you have used continually for a full year.that i just bought for $40. minus 20% discount coupon. and got free crappy light. and wasted all that time.

[@djpapachris]

Looks like the poster already had several of those crappy lights lined up on his toolbox........

[@05lowrider27]

ilmao !!!! did I just see a grown man with a mullet

[@joedirt7091]

And think about it batteries plus wanted to charge me $70 bucks for a replacment jumper pack backer for the exact jumper box that you have im like no in hell i am going to batteries plus $70 bucks for batttery when buy one from www.chrome battery.com for $35 go figure.

[@JohnMarascia]

I should of bought the extended warranty. Harbor Freight sells real cheap crap.

[@VB-bk1lh]

Worst jumper I've ever owned, had several others over the years and all were better than this. From day one it didn't hold a charge for more than a week or two, and wouldn't jump a car unless it just came off the charger.

[@GlennsSpeedShop]

I agree... Still having issues with mine.

[@VB-bk1lh]

I guess that ends any idea of changing the battery in mine then. I think I'll dig out my old yellow one and get it a new battery. I bought the HF jumper because it was cheaper than a battery for the yellow one, which was something like $75 to replace. I had the yellow one for over 15 years. I think I bought it at one of those weekend tool sales that used to come around every summer. If I remember right, it was at the local Nat. Guard Armory here, and they haven't rented that out since 9/11. I think the company was Homier tools. Since HF opened up, they haven't had one of those tool sales since.

[@VB-bk1lh]

@@GlennsSpeedShop I gave mine a full charge, it stops charging after about 10 min. and shows fully charged yet it won't jump a riding mower. I charged up one of my old yellow jumpers, which I know has a weak battery, and it cranked up the mower no problem. The new HF jumper was always weak, it has no guts to turn over anything that has any serious amperage draw. I took mine back to HF, raised a fuss and they gave me a new one after a lot of screaming. After two days of charging, its no better than the other one. Both my old yellow jumper and the black one use the same size battery. Both are marked 17ah. I took the battery out of the new jumper, stuck it in the old yellow one, and charged it with its remote charger pack. After two charge cycles, the old yellow one is back up and running and working fine. The issue seems to be with the cheap charger that's built into the new black jumper.I don't think the charger is fully charging the battery, its shutting off long before the battery is fully charged. Maybe the black HF jumper can be charged via the cigar ligher sockets to a regular charger? They most likely incorporated one of those 'smart' charger circuits into the these things making them about worthless. By the way, those old yellow jumpers also came in gray, red, and green and were sold by HF, Homier, and a few others over the years. The case on the old yellow jumpers left a lot to be desired but they worked. I'm thinking about retrofitting the 1/4" charge jack from one of my old yellow jumpers which has a broken case into the black HF jumper and tossing the built in charger.

[@davidbrown8303]

The battery is not the amp they say. Weigh it it's a cheap Chinese knock off.