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Is The Schumacher SL161 Red Fuel Lithium Ion Multi-function Jump Starter As Fast As Claimed?
The Schumacher SL161 Red Fuel Jump Starter is an attractive looking device for something as functional as a car battery booster.
There are also plenty of attractive sales claims attached to it, such as the idea that it offer twice the charging speed on electronics as other devices.
This system should provide a reliable charging solution to those with 4-6 cylinder cars, motorbikes and personal devices to recharge on the way home. Does it live up to its own promises?
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The pros and cons of this Schumacher SL161 Red Fuel Lithium Jump Starter:
Pros:
- attractive, slim shape that should make it easier to handle and transport
- peace of mind from the protections and strong clamps
- quick charging times on the cars and devices advertised
Cons:
- battery depletes too quickly for some
- some issues with the display
This Schumacher SL161 Red Fuel has the hardware to provide quick charges on cars and mobile devices.
The first benefit to mention here is the size. Like many modern car battery jump starters and charging devices, there is a small, slim shape that is more user-friendly. The black and red design matches the two clamps, which are reassuringly large and strong for a reliable connection while jumping the car.
The size has two advantages for users. There are some that will keep this in the glove compartment of the car, so that it is on hand as needed. Others like to take this out on camping and backpacking trips because of the other purpose.
This Red Fuel jump starter has those clamps, but also a 9’’ micro USB cable and Lightning charging cable. The two USB ports mean that that users can charge other electronics with ease. Some are impressed with the fast charging times on phones and other mobile devices.
The system also benefits from plenty of protective features, such as the preventions against reverse polarity, short circuiting, reverse charging and high temperatures.
Overall, it does a pretty good job with these electronics and most 6 cylinder engines, but nothing higher.
Unfortunately, not all users have had such great experiences with this Schumacher SL161 Red Fuel Jump Box.
The biggest problem with this device seems to lie with the battery itself. There is a 8,000 mAh lithium ion battery here that performs differently for different users. There are some that praise it for the ability to jump multiple cars on one charge – the sales promise here is 20.
Yet, there are others that say that one jump start takes the battery down to around 50%. Then there are those that highlight the short charging time, while others mention unreliable readings on the display.
What does this mean for the final verdict on this Schumacher SL161 Lithium Battery Jump Starter?
The issues with the display and battery with this device mean that there are a few buyers that simply cannot trust this product enough. This is a big deal breaker with tools for roadside assistance.
However, there are still plenty of positive here – so much so that a few tweaks to the battery life and display could create a great product. This Schumacher jump starter is still compact, easy to use and powerful enough for both types of charging.
Find more reviews about the Schumacher SL161 Red Fuel Jump Starter on Amazon here.