You will learn how to use a Cat jump starter from this article but before we go into that, let’s quickly give a brief review of the product. We must let you know that the jump starter is actually a power station. It is much more than a jump starter. The power station supplies 1000 peak amp. That’s why it can jump-start the battery of cars, boats, SUVs, and large trucks.
It has an in-built 200-watt power inverter. In addition, you can charge your phone, tablet, and other smaller devices through its 2-amp USB port. The jump starter also has a 12V DC outlet. It is compatible with any kind of extension. There are three bright LED lights with which you can illuminate the engine of your car should you need to fix anything in a location that is not lit.
With its 120PSI air compressor, you can regulate the pressure in your tires. To use the air compressor, press the Air button and select the pressure level. Then you can connect the compressor hose to the valve of your tire. For safety reasons, there’s a reverse polarity alarm.
t will beep when you connect the clamps wrongly. Anytime you hear the beeping sound while trying to jump-start your car, it is probably because your connection is wrong. Check your connection again.
There’s a clear display unit at the front of the device. The unit displays battery level, voltage, and tire pressure. The device is certified by ETL and CEC.
How To Use A Cat Jump Starter? 8 Steps
Even if you have never used a jump starter before, you should be able to follow the steps below.
Step 1 – Open Your Hood
This is pretty straightforward. Open the hood of your car and locate the battery.
Step 2 – Bring The Jump Starter Near The Battery
You should bring the jump starter nearer. You should have charged the jump starter. In fact, you need to charge it immediately after every use.
Step 3 – Identify The Battery Terminals
Your battery has two terminals. One of them is the positive terminal and the other is the negative terminal. The positive terminal is labeled +, P, or POS.
Step 4 – Turn The Jump Starter On
There’s a knob at the front of the device. Turn the knob 90-degrees to the right. The jump starter will come up. To switch it off, turn it back in the opposite direction.
Step 5 – Connect The Clamps
The jump starter has two clamps. The red clamp is the positive clamp, while the other black clamp is the negative clamp. Connect the red clamp to the battery terminal and the black clamp to the negative terminal. If you connect them wrongly, a reverse polarity alarm will go off. When you connect a clamp to a battery terminal and you begin to hear a beeping sound, it means you have connected the clamp to the wrong battery terminal. Change it immediately.
Don’t let both terminals touch each other when the jump starter is on.
Step 6 – Go And Start Your Car
Now, you can go back into your car to start the car. It should start immediately. We used the jump starter to start an SUV with a weak battery, and it worked at the very first attempt. If it doesn’t start, don’t crank it longer than 5 seconds. If your car does not start, battery may not be the problem.
Wait for 3 minutes before you make another attempt. If your car does not start after three attempts, don’t try it again. Find out what the problem is.
Step 7 – Remove The Jump Starter
Turn off the jump starter by turning the knob 90-degrees to the left. Remove the clamps one by one, starting with the black one. Remove the jump starter and close your hood. Drop your jump starter inside the trunk of your car. If your car starts, you need to let it run for about 5 minutes before you drive off.
This will allow the alternator of your car to charge the battery.
Step 8 – Charge The Device
Don’t forget to charge the jump starter when you get home. Your jump starter has to be fully charged always. That way, it will be ready to go anytime you pick it. And if you don’t use it often, it is necessary to charge it once in three months.
That’s how to use the jump starter to start your car. Let’s quickly discuss how you can use it for your tire.
How To Use Its Air Compressor
Press the Air button at the front of the device to switch on the air compressor. Connect the air compressor hose to the valve of your tire. The current pressure level will appear on the LCD unit of the jump starter.
Beside the Air button are up and down buttons. One of them is used to increase the pressure level, while the other is used to decrease it. Keep increasing it till it gets to your preferred pressure level. The air compressor will begin to work immediately. And once it gets to the selected pressure level, it will stop automatically.
How Long Does The Cat Power Station Last?
When you charge it fully, its battery can stay for up to six months before it loses its charge. And you can use it to start up to 20 cars, SUVs, or trucks before it gets weak. However, inappropriate storage can discharge the battery very fast.
The best temperature of the jump starter is about 50 degrees F to 70 degrees F. When the temperature around the device goes higher or lower than the temperature bracket, your jump starter will discharge. If you live in a hot part of the United States, it is not advisable to leave your jump starter in the trunk of your car.
And if your location gets so cold at night, never leave your jump starter in the trunk of your car. Always take it inside your apartment, which is likely to be warmer. Talking about the long-term durability of the jump starter, we can say it can last for up to ten years if you take proper care of it.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Always keep it charged.
- If you don’t use it often, charge it after every three months.
- When using it to jump-start your car, never crank it longer than 5 seconds.
- Wait for at least 3 minutes before you make another attempt.
- If it doesn’t start after three attempts, the jump starter cannot start it. Don’t waste your time on more attempts.
How To Turn Off Your Cat Jump Starter?
The jump starter knob is in front of the jump starter. To turn it on, you have to turn the knob 90-degrees clockwise (to the right). The position of the knob will change from vertical to horizontal. And to turn it off, you have to turn the knob in the opposite direction. In other words, turn the knob 90-degrees counterclockwise (to the left).
Is The Cat CJ1000DCP A Battery Charger?
No, it is not a battery charger, and it cannot charge any battery. The device is a power station that can jump-start cars, SUVs, and trucks. It also has an air compressor. However, the unit can charge your phone through its USB port.
When you use it to jump-start your car, it will boost the battery of your car with enough instant current to be able to start your car.
How Do You Jump A Car With A Cat CJ1000DCP?
To jump a car, you have to follow the steps discussed above. Here is the summary of the steps.
Step 1 – Open the hood of your car and locate the battery.
Step 2 – Position the jump starter near your battery.
Step 3 – Identify the positive and negative battery terminals.
Step 4 – Turn on the jump starter by turning its knob 90-degrees to the right.
Step 5 – Connect the red clamp to the positive battery terminal and the black to the negative terminal. If the reverse polarity alarm goes off, swap the connections. Make sure both clamps don’t touch each other while connected to the battery terminals. It could lead to a spark.
Step 6 – Now, you can try to start your car by cranking its ignition.
Step 7 – After starting the car, you should switch off the jump starter by turning the knob 90-degrees to the left. Remove the black clamp and then the red clamp. Close your hood.
Step 8 – Charge the device when you get back home.
Final Thoghts
The Cat power station is popular because of its jump-starting ability and its other functions. The jump starter will start cars, SUVs, and even trucks. Also, in addition to being a jump starter, it has a USB port, three LED lights, an LCD display unit, and an air compressor, and a reverse polarity alarm. If you take proper care of it, the device should last for up to ten years.
