Jump start ICE vehicle with Lightning ?

[hifiandy]

After posting I did some additional searching and found this topic has been covered with the most proposed solution being a jump box, will be more thorough in searching next time.

I received a call tonight from my wife that said, "I'm at Target and the Pilot won't start".
So, as I jumped in my new Lightning (which I love by the way) I realized that I have no idea how to jump start / rescue an ICE with a dead battery using the Lightning. So, I removed the battery and replaced it with new because who doesn't love changing batteries in the Target parking lot but I'm still curious as to what is the best way to do this with an EV. Here are the options that come to mind:

• Plug a battery charger into outlet in bed - this seems very slow to me, not due to the truck but to the slow charging of most battery chargers, mine included
• Jump start traditionally off EV 12v battery - Terrible idea for a number of different reasons
• ?

Appreciate the input

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[abombination]

The manual has a section on jump starting, but it seems to be geared towards how to jump start your vehicle (i.e. the Lightning), not jumping other vehicles.

I agree, I don't think it's a good idea to try to jump ICE cars with the tiny 12V battery or trying to put that load across the high-voltage to 12V converter. Maybe a lithium battery boost box is the best option? Plus the added bonus that if your 12V battery goes dead you don't need to get a jump?

 

[FlasherZ]

The DC-DC converter is only rated at 250A for the whole vehicle, and the little 12V battery can't supply much more than that as a burst. Your best bet would be to get a jump box or perhaps a small battery charger with engine start functionality.

Personally, if I got that call today I'd grab my Li-Ion jump box (which stays charged on my workbench) and my wheely battery charger on the back and use that to get the vehicles started.

 

[Roy2001]

Don't think EV can jump ICE. So a few solutions I can figure out.

1. Battery jumper.
2. Bring a battery charger and use Lightning to charge. If it is not completely discharged, 10-15min would be enough.
3. Worse case, bring the battery home and charge it, and bring it back to get car back to home.
4. Have a charged battery as backup and swap it in case.

 

[Whammy Bar]

As a counterpoint - I jumped over a dozen cars when I had my Prius... it also had that skinny little motorcycle battery in the back. Never had an issue in 200k.

In Socal, not trying to overcome winter temps.... wasn't starting dual battery diesel trucks... just regular cars that left their lights on after a concert or something. YMMV.

 

[luebri]

These small li-ion battery jump starters are nice to have around.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09F9CR89...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[Crilly]

Hook up the jumper cables, turn truck on, wait 10 to 15 minutes, start the other vehicle.

 

[Theo1000]

I jump started my Volt ICE multiple times with the Lightning 12v LVB. No issues. Started right up. No wait or anything. Kept the Lightning on so it can trickle charge or feed the LVB. At least in an emergency it works just fine.

 

[jefro]

The 12v battery ought to charge up or jump an ice.

Is it safe? I'd assume so but not be thrilled to test. Guess you could start off with a resistive load test on battery to see what happens.

 

[SteelTerp87]

Folks, there’s a removable panel in the top passenger side ledge of the Frunk specifically for jumping the Lightning or an ICE. You definitely can jump another vehicle with the battery in the Lightning. It will not pull from the LiON

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

I keep jumper cables in my swing case. I figure if someone has a dead battery my little battery is worth a shot. Better then nothing anyway. If they aren't that gone, it should be able to jump their car.

 

[Maxx]

I keep jumper cables in my swing case. I figure if someone has a dead battery my little battery is worth a shot. Better then nothing anyway. If they aren't that gone, it should be able to jump their car.

I have never kept anything but a jumper cable in the car and it has always been enough to help others and get help. Even if Lighting battery was incapable of helping others or you didn’t have a charger with start engine capability that could be plugged in the back, a jumper cable would be enough; unless you are really in middle of nowhere, there is always another ICE close by willing to help. All you need is a jumper cable. Have some faith in people.

 

[ErichKeane]

I've got a similar concern, the tiny 12v battery lawn-mower-battery in the Lightning doesn't seem like enough to jump-start anything bigger than a Camry.

I've had my eye out for a 240v plug-in battery charger that has 'jump start' capabilities that ISN'T a huge roller. I've been unable to find something though. I might have to settle with one of the 120v ones.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I've got a similar concern, the tiny 12v battery lawn-mower-battery in the Lightning doesn't seem like enough to jump-start anything bigger than a Camry.

I've had my eye out for a 240v plug-in battery charger that has 'jump start' capabilities that ISN'T a huge roller. I've been unable to find something though. I might have to settle with one of the 120v ones.

Size isn't an issue - the lithium ion jump boxes are also tiny and work just fine on big trucks. It isn't technically advisable, could cause issues, but in a pinch you can definitely charge any ICE vehicle using the battery in a Lightning. Just make sure the truck is on first. I jumped several ICE vehicles, a jet ski and an ATV using my Teslas, never had a bad outcome, and they have notoriously finicky 12-volt batteries..

 

[Brentt]

I just ran into this issue with my neighbors vehicle. I turned on pro power, plugged in my charger, set it to boost, and in a couple minutes it started. Later I got an alert that pro power had shut off, but I think that was when the ice vehicle was trying to start and pulling a heavy load.

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