Anyone experienced with the portable 12 volt jump starters for cars?
 

I'm thinking of picking one of these up, to have in the car while traveling, etc. At first glance, I see many different ones, at different price levels, with compressors, lights, etc.

I'm not overly concerned with the extras, but I'd like to get a decent dependable unit that has good amperage, and good rechargeablity. Does anyone here know of any particular ones that are better, or ones to stay away from, or suggestions for picking one of these out?

Thanks, JT

Take a look at this thread
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=14176

JT,

We use jump boxes daily at the shop. I've had several brands. You get what you pay for. The cheaper ones don't last long and won't crank something with a totally dead battery.
I've had really good luck with the SOLAR brand. They pack a big punch in a small package. They seem to last 4 to 5 years with pretty hard use. The cheaper ones won't last me a year.

My SOLAR 5000 is light enough to pick up and carry easily but will still crank my 400 cu in diesel tractor even with a near dead battery.

A good set of 2 gauge jumper cables are hard to beat also! I make my own with welding cable.

Hope this info helps

I like the jumper pack we have on the service truck at work...... It will start one of our trucks, with a completely dead battery, like nothing. I'll stick with it.

I don't even own one in my shop (the one I own). I just have a really good battery charger with a high boost rate. Battery charger is far more useful than a jumper pack IMHO. For the times when I went out on service, I had a set of jumper cables that I made from 4/0 ga welding cable with good ends on it. Off a diesel truck with two batteries, usually most everything would start even if the battery was dead, with the exception of large diesels. Those you had to let charge for a few minutes.

I say, buy a battery charger.

Agree with Jonathan, get a booster/charger, here the last one I purchase for $125 US, total cost after I repair the little monster $250 US for a good American made 400Amp booster/Charger :ThumbsUp:


PS:In his original condition before I repair and clean the dirty little thing
http://www.gcsurplus.ca/ic-ci/images...650-290726.jpg
http://www.gcsurplus.ca/ic-ci/images...650-290723.jpg

Just my 2 cents but my wife bought me a Die Hard portable power 1150 about 5 years ago and I have been happy with it although never had to try it on an automobile. Works great on all smaller things I have tried and I wouldn't doubt it would work on an auto if the batt wasn't complete toast. It recharges with a wall plug super easy and the inverter has come in handy quite a few times. Another thing, the salesman supposedly told my wife the battery could be replaced so I figure that will save me a couple bucks later on. The unit is kind of heavy, definitely feels heavier than a mower battery inside it. I also charge it once a month wether I use it or not as the manual recommends. Sorry so long winded! Mark

We have a few at work and they work good, we've used them to start alot of farm tractors without issue. Having a good charger is great but having a good charger at home wont help you on the road.

Thanks guys. That does give me some useful info.

Regarding the chargers - I do have several, one big one similar to the one pictured, and with the 400 Amp jump start setting... and it is great to have. I also have smaller chargers, a Battery Tender, etc.

I'm mostly thinking of the jump starter for travel purposes. When on weekend camping trips, I like to explore back roads, and do a lot of stopping and getting out of the vehicle, and sometimes end up in remote areas.

Problem is, it wouldn't get used very often, and as mentioned above, that could be bad. After reading some reviews, it seems that people are about 50/50 with having good luck, or having it not work the one time they needed it.

I do carry decent jumper cables in both vehicles, but one set is getting old. I wouldn't mind making some out of the 00 welding cable. Any suggestions on the best clamps to use on them?

Thx again. Sry for rambling on. JT

I have one I bought probably 10 years ago. Replaced the lead acid battery in it about 4 years ago. Good as new again. I use it all the time. I use it sometimes to start a cub by adding a small positive lead for the coil, then touching the positive clamp to the starter terminal (with the negative clamp on the frame.) will run the tractor before any other electrics have been hooked up. I used to take it with me in my runabout in case my battery died while fishing. Can't count the number of times I've started a car or tractor with it. It's not fancy, just the short cables and a 12v. cigarette lighter plug. Come to think of it, I've used that plug as well to power stuff, too.

I like to keep things simple, in winter I always carry in my Jeep a fully charge Optima 800 Amp AGM battery in a military ammunition aluminum box and a set of No 4 jump start cable in a vinyl case. A bit heavy but the top handle of the box help a lot to carry this simple setup.

If you really want a portable lightweight unit the Jump-N Carry series look like a good bet, but I'm not speaking from personal experience here , I just speculate on a product who seem to have good spec on the "Paper".

http://www.cloreautomotive.com/category.php?id=88