What's the most important item in your winter driving kit here in the Midwest? Warm Clothing? A Sleeping Bag?

Maybe some nonperishable food? Most people reading this might say jumper cables and you would be correct there too, but now those jumper cables 'may be replaced, with a Lithium Power Bank. 

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JD Collins-Townsquare Media
JD Collins-Townsquare Media
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Maybe you've seen them. They're compact, easily charged, and stored neatly in your trunk or even next to a spare tire in the back of your SUV. Motorists in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, this is a great item to have.

I was suspect when we received a free Lithium Power Bank when we purchased a new vehicle a few years ago. I looked at it and wondered, how could something so small pack so much power?!

Since then I've actually had to use it and count on it a few times. It's actually pretty easy to use.

Here's the first thing MOST MEN, [LIKE ME] won't want to read. Check the owners Manual. Things have changed under the hood in the past 10 to 15 years that you may not know WHERE to even jump your car. Many different models like Honda and Buick may want to be hooked up, in a particular order. Grab a cup of coffee and read the manual in each vehicle you may need to start.

After that, it's pretty easy. You charge it, and use it.

JD Collins-Townsquare Media
JD Collins-Townsquare Media
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With the model I have, I popped the hood on an older Lincoln Town Car, put the cables on, THEN plugged the unit into the cables. IF you get the connections wrong the light flashes. I plugged it in and by the time I walked around to sit down and start the car the unit had done it's job and the car started. 

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JD Collins-Townsquare Media
JD Collins-Townsquare Media
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After that, it's just a matter of plugging it in and recharging the unit for the next use. (the directions say you could start up to 6 vehicles with a single charge.)

So how much does a Power Bank actually cost? Motorists in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota will be happy to know that you can buy one for about $100 to $150. When you factor in the cost of a jump start and the inconvenience of having to wait, that's a small price to pay.

JD Collins-Townsquare Media
JD Collins-Townsquare Media
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The Power Bank can also be used as a flashlight to help find your connections on a cold winter night or to Charge your cell phone. You know, in case your battery is dead and you just ran out of power on your phone!

Life on a Cattle Ranch in Western South Dakota

Life is different out in the country. One look at the photo from Robin Bickel and you quickly realize that a workday is quite different as well, after all, she lives out west in South Dakota Cattle Country.

Robin Bickel took time to tell KIKN Country a little bit about her life out west and life as a woman, working outdoors with animals and nature in God's Country. Bickel lives and works on a cattle ranch operated by herself, her father, Jack, and his brother Keith. How far out in the country is she? How does 50 miles west of Mobridge, South Dakota sound? Yep, mountain time out there.

Life is so different in Sioux Falls, South Dakota compared to what our friends on the farm and ranches deal with. It's a half-mile to the grocery store for our family. For Robin, it's 17 miles. However, it's a quick step out her door and she's right in the middle of where a lot of the groceries come from.


Gallery Credit: JD COllins

 

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