Portable Jump Starter Suggestion

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NCNole

NCNole

10 Year
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Threads
58
Messages
647
Location
Florida Keys
Hey all-I was hoping to get some suggestions on a portable jump starter for not only the 40, but also to use for my boat. What peak amp and cranking amp levels do you think I should look at for the 40? Also, what brands are the best? I've read a lot of reviews and they are spotty-lots of good and bad for each one so figured I'd ask if anyone had experience with certain ones that they like. Thanks!!
 
NCNole said:
Hey all-I was hoping to get some suggestions on a portable jump starter for not only the 40, but also to use for my boat. What peak amp and cranking amp levels do you think I should look at for the 40? Also, what brands are the best? I've read a lot of reviews and they are spotty-lots of good and bad for each one so figured I'd ask if anyone had experience with certain ones that they like. Thanks!!
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Best value - Harbor Freight with coupon ~$35

Had great luck with this low cost option
 
This is what my neighbor at the lake had that I borrowed constantly. Decided to go to Wally World and get me one about 2 years ago. No complaints and beats the hell out of jumper cables!



image-1999437585.webp

About $ 45 IIRC

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

image-1999437585.webp
 
alk747triodad said:
This is what my neighbor at the lake had that I borrowed constantly. Decided to go to Wally World and get me one about 2 years ago. No complaints and beats the hell out of jumper cables!

About $ 45 IIRC

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
Click to expand...

What are the amps on that one?
 
This is what is on the sticker:

Model: VEC010BD
Output: 12V DC --300 amps instant
5 second 225 amps DC

It's even got a light! ;)



image-2915213384.webp

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

image-2915213384.webp
 
CruizerHound said:
I had two HF ones, and both failed within a few months. I bought this one last October to crank a Cat backhoe in the winter, and it worked great. I have only had to charge it once. They are real handy once you get a reliable one.

$50 @ the Depot

BLACK & DECKER 300-Amp portable jump start
Click to expand...

One of my friends said the same about the HF ones. Thanks for the info. I also have read Energizer ones are great as well as this Stanley:
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-J5C09-500-Amp-Built-In-Compressor/dp/B002X6VXL4/?tag=ihco-20
 
I would not get the one from HF....POS

I bought an older version of this one over ten years ago from Costco. I have changed the battery three times and it is still going strong after lots of abuse. I thought the air compressor was going to be needless joke but have used it on wheel barrows, tractors, trailers tires, etc.

This is the most similar one I've seen to mine:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JFJLP6/?tag=ihco-20

If your willing to spend more, consider this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Jump-N-Carry-JNCAIR-1700-Amp-12-Volt-Compressor/dp/B000KPU8F2/?tag=ihco-20

I'd also consider this one:

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MJS3500/12V-18AH-BOOSTER-PACK/

and

http://www.amazon.com/Truck-ES6000-3000-Peak-Starter/dp/B000JFNAJY/?tag=ihco-20

I have a 12V drill that had batteries go bad and put a 12V cigarette plug on it. it will run for ever of this battery pack and is a great trail tool.

I've been thinking about giving mine to my dad or sister and getting a newer one.

It's been very handy and much smarter to use than jumper cables with modern electronics.
 
PS - Lucky for me, the one that I have uses the same battery form a server battery back up and power conditioner so the battery is easy to get and replace.

The battery inside looks like a motorcycle battery.

Might be wise to make sure that what ever one you buy has a battery that can be replaced and is relatively easy to get.
 
I have a $100 huskey brand from home depot that I have had for 7 years and its been great. It has a compressor, light and maybe a 200 watt inverter.
 
Get a good one, this is one of those items that you might as well spend money on or just not buy one.


The few i've used before seemed only enough to jump my wife's old toyota matrix. Haven't used one for the cruiser that would actually jump the beast but they are out there.
 
lt1fire said:
Get a good one, this is one of those items that you might as well spend money on or just not buy one.

The few i've used before seemed only enough to jump my wife's old toyota matrix. Haven't used one for the cruiser that would actually jump the beast but they are out there.
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My thoughts exactly, that's why I want to go for more amps. Mainly using it for the boat but want to get one powerful enough for the 40 too. Do you know what amps those were?
 
I couldn't tell you off hand.


My advice would be post up on expeditionportal.com as to what people over there use.

I would guess that people that do that kind of traveling to way out of the way places have a good handle on what you would need and could recommend some great products.
 
lt1fire said:
I couldn't tell you off hand.


My advice would be post up on expeditionportal.com as to what people over there use.

I would guess that people that do that kind of traveling to way out of the way places have a good handle on what you would need and could recommend some great products.
Click to expand...

Awesome site-thanks for the tip. Reading it makes me want to take the 40 on a trek somewhere! :steer:
 
As a couple have already mentioned I'm one of those that stay away from Harbor Freight like the plague. Any time I go in that place it reminds me of the $2 "Rolex" I bought off of a street vendor in China (But on the plus side at least the watch still works).

Sadly one of the things I've noticed about jump boxes is they are big about advertising cranking amps and small about advertising total energy stored (Amp-Hours). In other words they tell you it has the power to turn over your engine but not for how long. Most hover around 18 Amp-Hr or less if you're able to find a number. One way to research total storage is to find out if the battery is replaceable and then shop for the replacement to get specs.

Here is one that appears to stand above the rest (which also bumps the price quite a bit).

http://www.amazon.com/Jump-N-Carry-JNC950-2000-Peak-Starter/dp/B000KPSA0W/?tag=ihco-20

A couple nice features ....
Nice long #2 GA cables (i.e. HD and can carry a lot of current)
over 900 cranking amps.
34-Ahr of stored energy.
replaceable batt.
50% off at Amazon plus free shipping if you're a prime member. (and who wouldn't be a prime member?)

The negatives
Still expensive at 50% off.
If you do ever replace the battery it cost the same as a new unit. DOH!
no fancy whistles like air compressor, flashlight, GPS, boom box, invertor, and portable microwave.

Best luck,
Rice
 
I bought Joanna's 'transit damaged' JNC660 last fall and just got around to repairing it and giving it a try. I gave it a full charge and have since used it 8 times over a week to jump dead vehicles that have been sitting for months or more, all on the same charge. It still shows 13.25 volts and each start up has been almost immediate - much more so than a jump from another battery.

Now I'm curious to see how many times I can charge a cell phone from its port. Or maybe a portable LED flood...

http://www.amazon.com/Clore-JNC660-Jump-N-Carry-12-Volt-Starter/dp/B000JFJLP6/?tag=ihco-20

--john
 
There is a company making a jump box that is smaller than a motorcycle battery. I forget who, but I will look it up. They brought a demo to my work and jump started a material handler that had not been started in 4 years.

...via IH8MUD app
 
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