Antigravity Microstarter Pack - am I right to be miffed?

[richardbd]

I have two Antigravity Microstart Sport jumpstart packs. The more recent one was bought three years ago. It has been kept in my car ever since and only used in anger twice. Today, when I needed it, the unit failed me. It was flat and now it will not charge. The green charging lights cycle as they should but the unit is not retaining any charge at all.

I contacted Antigravity UK who said it was my fault for failing to maintain it by not regularly charging it. I went back and read the instructions - no mention anywhere of any need for periodic charging. I recontacted Antigravity UK and pointed out the lack of maintenance instructions in the manual. They told me to sod off, again citing my failure to maintain the unit and hiding behind the 12-month warranty.

For what it’s worth, my other (older) Microstart Sport, treated in pretty much the same way, still works faultlessly.

Aside from the unit failing after such limited use, I was rather taken aback by the Antigravity attitude - blunt, almost to the point of rudeness and deliberately ignoring the fact that what they claim to be an essential piece of maintenance isn’t mentioned anywhere in the instructions.

I will definitely not buy from them again. I find their attitude, given the significant premium pricing of their kit, very disappointing

Am I right to be pissed off?

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

not judging but any rechargeable battery needs go on charge. IMHO 3 years is a very looooong time without.

I use the Antigravity packs and I put them on charge every 3 months.
And my Xcountry tiny battery....once a week!

 

[autogs]

Yes but shit happens Rich,I bought one of them jump packs from the middle isle at lidl 4 years ago and still going strong and I don't maintain at all.

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

 

[casbar]

I have an antigravity pack, which I have had for around 10 years, but I do charge it every 6 months and mine is fine. But not any help to you really, but any battery will lose its charge and once these are flat, they are stuffed.

 

[SBD]

^^^^. Sad but true.

Lithium cells do self discharge (very very slowly) and the battery management system (BMS) also draws a trivial current, but over enough time, together, they will deplete the cells. You can prevent this by regular recharging. My phone charger gets re-charged once a year, maybe, assuming. I’ve not used it.

Once the cells are below a minimum voltage, charging them is likely to end in tears (or flames) so the BMS stops you doing it.

You can maybe take it apart and replace the cells. The housing, bms, and connectors, etc, should all be fine. Choose matching capacity cells (they’re probably 18650s) from a reputable source like Sanyo. Don't take it apart, and try to charge the cells without the BMS. That would be very foolish.

And if it does go tits up and burns down your barn, please don’t blame me .

 

[mike wright]

Im not sure if it will work on the Antigravity however I solved the Lithium battery (dewalt) not charging using this tehcnique:

It was totally flat and would not take a charge .

Took another Dealt 12v battery and connected the +ive to the +ive on the dead one from a good one plus the same for for the -ive. Took the wires off and out in on charge then hey presto the lights came on and its charged fine since.

 

[SBD]

And if it does go tits up and burns down your barn, please don’t blame me .

 

[richardbd]

not judging but any rechargeable battery needs go on charge. IMHO 3 years is a very looooong time without.

I use the Antigravity packs and I put them on charge every 3 months.
And my Xcountry tiny battery....once a week!

Who says they need to go on charge every 3 months? Certainly not Antigravity.

I get that if not charged they might discharge, though FWIW I have a couple of Anker power packs for laptop/phones. They stay charged quite happily for months and months and months.

My point is that the unit died completely and will no longer hold charge at all. In other words it failed despite not being used.

 

[richardbd]

Yes but shit happens Rich,I bought one of them jump packs from the middle isle at lidl 4 years ago and still going strong and I don't maintain at all.

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

I’ll be doing the same next time Andy

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

I didn't say AG said to charge them every 3 months. I just do. Same with Anker power packs.
Works for me

 

[theoneandonly]

the warranty has finished , their liability is discharged .
you're not happy . tough .
suck it up buttercup

if you have kept it in the car ....as you say ...did it never cross your mind to plug it into the cigarette lighter socket ?

 

[Mr Bean]

the warranty has finished , their liability is discharged .

As is his battery...

 

[OnHellas]

I think that this thread has gone flat now.

 

[Baked Bean]

Do you use the same charger for both. I had an antigravity charger fail. I replaced with a good after market one and all is good again.
I initially thought the jump pack had failed.

 

[richardbd]

Do you use the same charger for both. I had an antigravity charger fail. I replaced with a good after market one and all is good again.
I initially thought the jump pack had failed.

Neither came with a charger. Just a USB cable. I’ve tried different chargers with the same result…

 

[Baked Bean]

Others didn't work but this one did.

 

[richardbd]

Others didn't work but this one did.View attachment 341552

I shall root around in my charger collection…

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

This is the original charger which AG used to include.
Newer types use USB C