Crystal

Crystal is an Australian owned and operated electronics and automotive aftermarket company with 30 years of experience in supplying Australians with the communications equipment they need to stay in contact when off-roading or out of mobile phone reception. The company is based in Braeside, Victoria, and aims to provide its customers with the very latest in communication technology built with unstoppable reliability and a high level of performance. Crystal products are designed, tested, and built for the very toughest conditions that Australia can throw at them.

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Crystal is an Australian owned and operated electronics and automotive aftermarket company with 30 years of experience in supplying Australians with the communications equipment they need to stay in contact when off-roading or out of mobile phone reception. The company is based in Braeside, Victoria, and aims to provide its customers with the very latest in communication technology built with unstoppable reliability and a high level of performance. Crystal products are designed, tested, and built for the very toughest conditions that Australia can throw at them.

Crystal is an Australian owned and operated electronics and automotive aftermarket company with 30 years of experience in supplying Australians with the communications equipment they need to stay in contact when off-roading or out of mobile phone reception. The company is based in Braeside, Victoria, and aims to provide its customers with the very latest in communication technology built with unstoppable reliability and a high level of performance. Crystal products are designed, tested, and built for the very toughest conditions that Australia can throw at them.

Crystal is an Australian owned and operated electronics and automotive aftermarket company with 30 years of experience in supplying Australians with the communications equipment they need to stay in contact when off-roading or out of mobile phone reception. Read More

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      Crystal CBF100A 180W 10 inch Active Underseat Subwoofer with Remote
      Crystal CBF100A 180W 10 inch Active Underseat Subwoofer with Remote
      Regular Price $389.99 Special Price $289.70
      You Save $100.29 off RRP
    2. Crystal Professional Hand-held Uhf Cb Radio
      Crystal Professional Hand-held UHF CB Radio DBH50R
      $189.99
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      Crystal CBF80A 150W 8 inch Active Underseat Subwoofer with Remote
      Crystal CBF80A 150W 8 inch Active Underseat Subwoofer with Remote
      Regular Price $314.99 Special Price $268.10
      You Save 15% off RRP
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      Crystal DB477A Compact 80 Channel UHF CB Radio
      Crystal DB477A Compact 80 Channel UHF CB Radio
      Regular Price $239.99 Special Price $208.10
      You Save 13% off RRP
    5. Crystal CR1801 Heavy Duty Single DIN Mechless Digital Media Receiver w/ BT / USB / AUX
      Crystal CR1801 Heavy Duty Single DIN Mechless Digital Media Receiver w/ BT / USB / AUX
      $259.99
    6. Crystal DB477CAB Replacement Program Cable suit DB477C
      Crystal DB477CAB Replacement Program Cable suit DB477C
      $44.99
    7. Crystal DBH2EM Replacement Earphone/Microphone suit DBH20
      Crystal DBH2EM Replacement Earphone/Microphone suit DBH20
      $24.99
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      Replacement Microphone for Crystal DB477A
      Replacement Microphone for Crystal DB477A
      Regular Price $44.99 Special Price $38.50
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    9. Sold Out
      Crystal Compact 80 Channel UHF CB Radio DB477D
      Crystal Compact 80 Channel UHF CB Radio DB477D
      $314.99
    10. Sold Out
      Crystal Ultra Compact 80 Channel UHF CB radio
      Crystal Ultra Compact 80 Channel UHF CB Radio DB477E
      $199.99
    11. Sold Out
      Crystal Professional Hand-held UHF CB Radio Twin Pack DBH50RKT
      Crystal Professional Hand-held UHF CB Radio Twin Pack DBH50RKT
      $364.99
    12. Sold Out
      Crystal Programmable Waterproof Professional Handheld UHF CB Radio DBH50M
      Crystal Programmable Waterproof Professional Handheld UHF CB Radio DBH50M
      $284.99
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    What to look for when purchasing a set of jumper cables for my vehicle? How do I tell the difference between low quality and high-performance jumper cables?

    While they may seem like little more than a pair of cables with alligator clips at each end, there is a bit to know when purchasing a set of your own to throw in the back of your vehicle. First of all, the quality of the conductors and insulators used in the cables have a huge impact on the performance, longevity and cost of the jumpers, with the cheapest options mostly constructed with aluminium conductors insulated with PVC sheaths. While aluminium can be fine if sized correctly, aluminium is more brittle, and also has a reduced current carrying capacity, when compared to conventional copper conductors. PVC is also less than ideal and, while quite hard wearing it offers little resistance to high temperatures. This can make working with PVC cables a bit of a challenge. At the other end of the quality spectrum you’ll find high quality oxygen free copper conductors wrapped in dual layer insulators consisting of hardwearing PVC wrapped in flexible, abrasion resistant, chemically and UV stable nitrile. Jumper cables made using pure copper insulators and high quality double insulated nitrile sheaths are not cheap, but can provide a lifetime of service provided they are looked after.

    Other materials to look out for are aluminium coated copper conductors, which offer excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Copper clad aluminium on the other hand is markedly inferior in almost every measure with the exception of cost, and is best avoided if you’d like to be able to rely on your jumper cables when the time comes to use them. Silicon rubber is also a common insulator type, which is wonderfully flexible however offers little mechanical protection for the conductors, which means they are easily pierced or torn if treated poorly or exposed to rugged conditions.

    If you are familiar with the look and feel of PVC verses silicon and nitrile then a physical inspection should be able to tell you what insulator is used. As for the conductors, copper is substantially heavier than aluminium, so the weight of the cable is the best indicator of what is inside.

    What are the different types of jumper cables? What are the differences between car jumper cables and heavy-duty jumper cables for trucks?

    Most jumper cables consist of a pair of conductors just long enough to bridge the gap between two vehicles when parked nose to nose, terminated on each end by pairs of large alligator clips. Short jumper cables start at a length of approximately 2.5-metres, which is basically the minimum length required to bridge the distance between the batteries in two vehicle. Longer lengths are available, allowing greater flexibility in bridging gaps between the stranded and jumper vehicle. Grabbing longer jumper cables is highly advisable for this reason, especially if yours is an offroad vehicle or a mid-engine vehicle like a work van, however they must necessarily be markedly larger in capacity due to the compounding effect of inline resistance as the cable gets longer. Longer jumper cables capable of transferring the same amount of power as a shorter set will inevitably have a larger cross sectional area, and cost significantly more, due to the increased size of the conductors.

    In terms of sizing, how much current you need to start your vehicle largely depends on the the size of the vehicle and the type of engine, but there is a few rough rules of thumb that can be applied. If you have a small to medium sized compact petrol-driven passenger vehicle then you are probably going to be fine using a set of jumper cables rated for 200-Amps of current flow. Medium to large sized petrol-driven passenger vehicles will likely need no more than 400-Amps worth of current capacity. Larger vehicles like pushrod V8s and diesel driven vehicles like dual cabs, 4WDs and light commercial trucks can need 600A plus. Check the current rating of thejumper cables you select prior to purchase to ensure you select a solution that meets the minimum requirements you need for your particular vehicle.

    What are the alternatives?

    With the advent of lithium battery technology and the proliferation of modern, lithium battery based portable jump starters, you could be forgiven for thinking you may no longer need to carry a  good set of jumper leads. Jump starters can however deteriorate over time, or fail outright, so even if you have a modern jump starter pack it is highly advisable to keep a set of jumper leads in your vehicle for situations where your jump starter pack doesn’t cut the mustard.

    While not a replacement for a trusty set of jumper leads, you should always have a decent battery charger on hand. This is beneficial for several reasons. First of all, a battery charger will help you ensure your battery is returned to a full state of charge after needing a jump, especially if you aren’t gonna be running the vehicle for a long enough period following the jump to fully recharge it. More importantly, a battery charger can be placed on your circuit racer, 4WD, boat, motorhome or other recreational vehicle when left to sit for an extended period, in order to prevent it from needing a jump in the first place.

    How do I use your jumper cables to jump start my car or truck?

    When jump starting one vehicle with another, there are a few things you can do to minimise the risk of something going wrong. The first thing to do is get the batteries in each vehicle as close together as you can. This usually involves parking nose to nose, as each battery will usually be located in the engine bay. If the battery is on the left side of one vehicle and the right side of the other, it may also be suitable to park the vehicles with the front quarter panels overlapping. Ensure you do not allow the two vehicles to touch, as they must be electrically isolated from each other in order to avoid damage to the sensitive electronics in each vehicles. Once you have the two vehicles positioned, join the positive posts of each vehicle together using the red jumper cable, starting with the vehicle to be jumped, followed by the vehicle which will be doing the jumping. Double, and triple, check your connections prior to attachment in order to avoid any risk of damage. Next attach the black jumper cable to the negative battery post of the jumping vehicle, then attach the other end of the black jumper cable to a solid grounding point on the vehicle to be jump stated. Some modern vehicles will have a designated point to which you should attach the negative jumper lead, otherwise any quality grounding location should do the job. Do not connect the negative jumper lead directly to the negative post of the battery to be jumped, as this will likely result in a hefty spark that can give you a fright, can damage the battery terminal and can even lead to an explosion in the right conditions. If you vehicle doesn’t have a designated grounding point for attachment of jumper cables then look for a clean and unpainted bolt or similar metal point you can attach the alligator clip to. A shock absorber mounting point is often a good option, if a better one cannot be found. Check to make sure the cables are routed in such a way they do not obstruct any moving parts like the engine belts or thermofan. Next start the jumping vehicle, and leave it running for several minutes.

    Why Buy Crystal

    Crystal’s products are often imitated by other companies thanks to their solid design and quality materials but are never matched. The company’s in-house team of mechanical and industrial engineers ensure that each product that the company put out is able to live up to the extremely high standards that it sets for itself. Crystal also enjoys engineering partnerships with firms across the world to make sure that their products are ready to handle any condition that the planet can throw at them.

    Crystal is proud of the quality of the work they do. Their products are tested by the Australian Media and Communications Authority (AMCA) and not only meet, but exceed, all Australian operating standards. Crystal designs their products to be rugged and durable so that they’ll last a lifetime.

    The Crystal Range

    Crystal’s product offerings span a wide range of uses and consumer demands. Their simple hand-held CB units are perfect for hunting, off-roading, and boating. At the higher end their dash-mounted units are ultra-compact and feature 80 channels with car radio muting when receiving transmissions. All Crystal CB units come equipped with channel scanning and duplex range extender technology. From basic hand-held units all the way up to professional-grade communications equipment for commercial use, Crystal has got what you need to communicate. Use the parts finder above to find the right Crystal product for you or contact us and let one of the Automotive Superstore product specialists help you today!