Most jump start packs these days have USB charging, but it’s often an afterthought. More of a ‘nice to have in an emergency’ than being a dedicated power bank when you need one. The Ring Fast Charge Jump Starter 260 changes that.
Ring Fast Charge Jump Starter 260 – What is it?
It’s a jump start pack like any other. 9000 mAh or 33.3 Wh in capacity, with a starting current of 200A and a peak of 1000A. It will recharge in just 1 hour from a 30W USB-C charger or 3 hours using a 5v 2A charger.
But, unlike many others, it features PD30W output, meaning you can power a lot of newer laptops via USB-C. This same technology is what enables you to quick charge in an hour too.
It can jump start petrol vehicles up to 4.0 litres in capacity and diesels up to 2.0 litres. There’s also an LED light which has a flashing mode as well as SOS if needed.
How does the RPPL260 work?
Inside the RPPL260 is a Lithium-Ion battery, the same things that power electric vehicles.
There’s the standard overcharge protection along with the ability to fast charge the latest phones and laptops via PD (USB-C) sockets at 30W.
You can use both USB ports at the same time, which negates the need for two standard USB ports – most items these days come with USB-C anyway.
In the box you get a USB-C to USB-C cable, along with a USB to USB-C. Which is nice to have as it means you’re never without a cable – providing you keep it all together in the handy pouch that is.
To jump start a vehicle you need to attach the pig tailed jump leads. These slot into a cover on the top edge of the battery pack. Just lift the rubber cover, slide back the port covers and insert.
There are two small LEDs on the pigtail connector that tell you if you’ve connected the cables the right way (red to positive, black to negative) or if you have them reversed.
Once all connected up, wait 30 seconds then jump in the vehicle and start it as you normally would.
It works with Lead, EFB, AGM, GEL and Calcium batteries.
What’s it like?
The pack itself isn’t big, but feels chunky in the hand. It measures 88mm wide, 171mm long and 33mm thick. It fits in a rucksack on its own easily, or can just be kept in the boot in its little pouch if you’re going to solely keep it for emergencies.
Charging is seriously quick. It kept my phone fully powered while streaming video for a good two hours and had still only used about 25% of its capacity.
Testing it with a Samsung laptop and the PD USB-C recharged as it should, it was also handy in keeping my phone charged at the same time using the USB to USB-C cable.
Jump starting was easy as always. Disconnecting the battery to simulate a dead car, the RING Fast Charge Jump Starter 260 allowed me to fire it up no problem.
The RPPL260 is a superb modern jump start pack, whereas some older and more basic models simply offer a USB port, this fast charge jump starter can power your life on the move. Giving you extended time out on the road or away from the office.
But for those times when your car might not start in the depths of winter, or after you haven’t used it for a while, you’ve got the added bonus of not needing to find some jump leads and asking a neighbour to get you going. How handy is that?!
Where can I get the Ring Fast Charge Jump Starter 260?
You can order the Ring Fast Charge Jump Starter 260 direct from Ring, or find it on eBay, or why not look on Amazon.
