Portable jump starters

[Dirtman]

My big snap-on jump box is getting old so I wanna replace it. I'm looking at getting one of the newer compact jump starters cause I only use it for emergencies anyway and it would be nice if it fit in my center console. The snap on box is too big to actually carry around all the time in a regular cab truck.

So, do these little things work good enough for an emergency jump? Any brand/model recommendations that don't cost a fortune? Amazon has a ton of them for 100 bucks or less but I'm leary.

Suggestions? The two that caught my eye are a "Tack life 800amp" that says its good for up to a 6.0 gas engine for $75. Or a "Noco boost 1000amp" also good for up to 6.0 engines for $90?

 

[dvdswan]

HALO (zagg.com)

Wife swears they are good. Never used one. Pretty much idiot proof.

 

[adsm08]

I bought one of those things for my wife when she was doing home health because she would sit in parking lots and chart with the engine off and the radio on. It had become fairly routine for me to have to go jump start her. It worked well enough for that for 6 months until she moved to an office position, then it got lots of use jump starting lawn mowers.

Now I can't find the charger for it.

 

[Dirtman]

Now I can't find the charger for it.

It's in that grocery bag full of old tangled phone chargers and extension cords in the back of the downstairs closet.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Theyre all a bunch of 18650 batteries soldered together, just like power tool batteries. Theres a million of em out there, most junk. Its pretty hit and miss. I've bought a few...Some work awesome, other suck. Get one that has a case to hold the jumpers and charger and all that crap. It goes missing fast.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

My buddy has one in his expedition and uses it all the time. It is a snap on so costs about twice what it should haha. But it works. He's had a dead cell in the battery all winter. Plus its got some usb charging ports for phones and crap

 

[adsm08]

It's in that grocery bag full of old tangled phone chargers and extension cords in the back of the downstairs closet.

No, I have a feeling it may have been left in the Expedition when I sold it.

 

[Dirtman]

Found this neat video. Kinda sold me on how well they can work. Still debating which one to get as @Eddo Rogue pointed out seems like a ton of junk out there mixed in with a few quality units. I'm not paying for another snap on. Most of their electronic stuff is just rebranded crap anyway.

 

[John97]

As part of my efforts to wife-proof my life, I picked up a pair of the NOCO GB40 that were on a special deal a while back on Amazon. So far, my only use has been to start my zero-turn mower last month when the battery took a dump over the winter.

I keep one in each vehicle, and each month Alexa reminds me to make sure they're still charged up.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Found this neat video. Kinda sold me on how well they can work. Still debating which one to get as @Eddo Rogue pointed out seems like a ton of junk out there mixed in with a few quality units. I'm not paying for another snap on. Most of their electronic stuff is just rebranded crap anyway.

It doesn't need to be snap on, just something decent. The trick is in the batteries, good ones use new batteries, cheapos are stuffed with recycled batteries that barely work. The price should be a good indicator, dont get the $20 one. Best one I ever had was purchased at a boat show for $100 bucks maybe 10 years ago. I think my ex ended up with it. The one I have now works ok, but not as good. But it has a case and holds charge. And yes, they are major useful. I've even shut a lift gate on a dead trailer with mine. Most have a usb charging port and a lil flash light as well.

 

[Dirtman]

The ones I'm looking at are all around 100 bucks. Noco seems to be one of the more popular brands so I'm leaning towards that. I don't own any big engines so I think the smallest one (1,000 amp) should be plenty. They go all the way to like 4,000 amp rated to start a 10 liter diesel lol.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Ya know... I bought a Tack Life brand on Amazon. The actual one I purchased was on special and I no longer see it. It appears the new version has a couple lighting features and a compass that mine doesn't.

Amazon.com: TACKLIFE T8 800A Peak 18000mAh Lithium Car Jump Starter for Up to 7.0L Gas or 5.5L Diesel Engine, 12V Auto Battery Booster with LCD Screen, Portable Power Bank with USB Quick Charge: Automotive

I had put it my truck right before I left for last years trail ride early September... I pulled it out to charge in January I think and the charge bar was lit all but the last bar. On the coldest day of the year in February it jumped my wife's Escape when the battery puked. It had been in my truck since I topped it off. I've only needed it 5 times I think but it was always ready to go. I think it was less then $50. Everything fits into a case... but it's a little to big to fit in the armrest storage. It's in my tool kit bag behind the seat.

I do agree... it's a crap shoot. There are so many on the market.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

$100 bucks sounds about right. The small ones work fine for regular size and smaller vehicles. I say go for it...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

while were on the subject of technology making life easier...I paired my mini jumper with one of these:

 

[Dirtman]

while were on the subject of technology making life easier...I paired my mini jumper with one of these:

View attachment 58043

I bought one of those on Amazon too and keep it in the truck with a plug kit. Chinese brand for like 30 bucks but the dang thing works great. It has a digital setting so you just set the PSI you want and it turns itself off when it's done. Been working perfect for 4 years now and I use it all the time. If it died tomorrow it was still well worth the cost. Sometimes cheap Chinese stuff works...

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