Project Farm : Which Car Jump Starter Is Best? Let's find out!

[theoldwizard1]

Which Car Jump Starter Is Best? Let's find out!

You NOCO "fan boys" will be disappointed. It just barely beat the bottom of the barrel HF unit !

 

[superduty1]

Audew is the winner in this test.

Not so excited about my NOCO after watching this. That said it jumped a 10 cyl Ford gas truck twice yesterday. The truck batts went completely dead.

Since the prices are around the same, Audew is what I'd likely purchase next time.

I searched Audew jump starter on Amazon.... Fascinating that Amazon forces the NOCO to the top, even though Audew is a unique search term.



The tester is entertaining. He talks very fast. I don't know enough about electric, but his tests seem legit.



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[M6erfan]

Just watched it and came here to post, you beat me to it!

The 2nd place finisher Topvision has a 20% coupon on AMZN right now...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H58NP77/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2MK12G7A08KM8&psc=1

 

[FigureItOut]

In the price range he was testing, one or both of the JNC units should have been included in the comparison. Outside that price range, I'd be interested to see the results of the higher priced NOCO versions. If I could see some solid testing of that Audew versus JNC lithium and Antigravity I might finally pull the trigger on a lithium box, but I've just never had any real cause to give up the ultra high performing and very reliable JNC lead acid boxes. The size and self discharge are just not huge issues to me, though I can certainly how they could be to most people.

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[IndyGarage]

I wish he would have compared all of them to a real jump starter: JNC 660 or something similar

 

[ChrisLS8]

I wish he would have compared all of them to a real jump starter: JNC 660 or something similar

I mean the 80 buck amazon special was pounding the sand out of a very popular name brand jumper on a 38 year old diesel tractor I'm not sure what else you want it to do? Seems like a real jumper to me idk

 

[Skin]

I had to laugh at the HF death squeal. They can add in new brands but at its core its still the same old junk store. Seems like a perfect gift for someone you hate though.

 

[GTO]

Ymmv

 

[IndyGarage]

I mean the 80 buck amazon special was pounding the sand out of a very popular name brand jumper on a 38 year old diesel tractor I'm not sure what else you want it to do? Seems like a real jumper to me idk

I wouldn't exactly say 6-8 seconds of cranking is very good. It very well might have started in that time, but that's nothing compared to a full-size jump box.

JNC 660 is only $125 on Amazon, and I'm pretty sure will crank much more than any of those - probably all of them put together.

I tried those cheap jump devices before and all I got was disappointed when they didn't work.

 

[Davefr]

I'm not sure I like lithium jump packs. They will not work unless there's a battery already in the system.

That means it won't allow me to start my backup generator with it's battery removed.

I'd like something that will take the place of an installed battery. Will a JNC660 work or does it also require a battery in the system?

Maybe having a charged deep cycle battery and jumper cables is the best solution for starting various machines.

 

[Bretny]

The jnc660 used a SLA battery so in 3-4 years even if not used you will be needing a replacement battery. Its also huge compaired to lithium. Not something i can really leave in the vehicle. These big jump packs with the SLA batterys are just a thing of the past.

 

[IndyGarage]

I'm not sure I like lithium jump packs. They will not work unless there's a battery already in the system.

That means it won't allow me to start my backup generator with it's battery removed.

I'd like something that will take the place of an installed battery. Will a JNC660 work or does it also require a battery in the system?

Maybe having a charged deep cycle battery and jumper cables is the best solution for starting various machines.

Yes the JNC will work without any battery. I actually have had two JNC 770's for a few years now and have used them literally hundreds of times.

The guy who says they are in the past, doesn't have a bunch of vehicles that need starting. if you just need something to use once maybe those toys will work, if you need a real jump box, go with the bigger unit.

 

[M6erfan]

Modern jump packs give much better utility for a wider audience, they're small, lightweight, and user friendly. I wouldn't want to wedge a 660 somewhere in my wife's 2 door convertible. Yeah, if you have the need for starting multiple vehicles in a shop on a constant basis, jump packs probably aren't the best solution.

 

[rlitman]

I'm not sure I like lithium jump packs. They will not work unless there's a battery already in the system.

That means it won't allow me to start my backup generator with it's battery removed...

BS. I've done this many times.

 

[HAP]

BS. I've done this many times.

Yep. I have a plug wired in mine for the jump pack so I never need a battery.

 

[mfewtrail]

BS. I've done this many times.

Not all lithium jump starters are constructed the same. I have one that will not work without a battery/sensing a voltage first. ...

 

[Davefr]

BS. I've done this many times.

Not mine. Without a battery in the circuit it throws an error code and won't supply voltage. I'm guessing it's some form of protection circuit that won't turn on the jump pack unless it see's a certain range of voltage.

Mine also won't turn on if a battery is totally dead. Like an Optima that's gone bad. They seem real sensitive to what you connect them to.

What model doesn't do this? Recommendations??

 

[AA/FC]

These big jump packs with the SLA batterys are just a thing of the past.

I disagree.

Look behind the seat of just about any tow truck in this country and you'll find a 660 or similar. Auto auctions, car dealerships, repair shops, etc..... anyone who jumps vehicles on a daily basis have all tried these new smaller lithium jump packs but eventually they all find out the hard way that they ****.


I have 3 JNC 660s with the oldest one being 6 years old. Still works better than any of the packs in Project Farm's video. And even if I did need a $40 replacement battery after 3 or 4 years, who cares? In those 3 or 4 years, that pack jump started hundreds of vehicles and made me thousands of dollars. Can these new lithium packs even jump start 20 cars before they completely **** the bed? None of the ones that I (or any of my friends) have tried lasted that long. Lol.

Your mileage may vary, but I guarantee the old school sla jump packs aren't obsolete yet.

 

[rlitman]

Not mine. Without a battery in the circuit it throws an error code and won't supply voltage. I'm guessing it's some form of protection circuit that won't turn on the jump pack unless it see's a certain range of voltage.

Mine also won't turn on if a battery is totally dead. Like an Optima that's gone bad. They seem real sensitive to what you connect them to.

What model doesn't do this? Recommendations??

Yeah, it does. You're running up against a safety feature that's a part of the wires, not actually something that the pack in incapable of.

That's what the little box on the wires does. It ensures you have the correct polarity, before making the connection to the internal battery, to be sure you don't blow something up.

However, there will also be an over-ride feature. Most times it's an unmarked pin-hole you need to poke a paperclip into. Look through your manual. Or if you did like me and tossed the chinglish manual, look at the plastic box on your wires for two things, the LED, and a small hole. The LED will turn on green if the polarity is correct when you connect the wires to your battery. Within a few seconds, it will flash red/green as it disconnects power to the clamps so that the battery isn't overheated from too much cranking time. If you press the reset button, the clamps will be connected, but now the onus is on you to not burn up the battery from over-cranking.

 

[Davefr]

Yeah, it does. You're running up against a safety feature that's a part of the wires, not actually something that the pack in incapable of.

That's what the little box on the wires does. It ensures you have the correct polarity, before making the connection to the internal battery, to be sure you don't blow something up.

However, there will also be an over-ride feature. Most times it's an unmarked pin-hole you need to poke a paperclip into. Look through your manual. Or if you did like me and tossed the chinglish manual, look at the plastic box on your wires for two things, the LED, and a small hole. The LED will turn on green if the polarity is correct when you connect the wires to your battery. Within a few seconds, it will flash red/green as it disconnects power to the clamps so that the battery isn't overheated from too much cranking time. If you press the reset button, the clamps will be connected, but now the onus is on you to not burn up the battery from over-cranking.

^^Thanks!! I took a look at mine and it doesn't have an override but I might just eliminate that little protection box or splice on an "always on" port.

I'd like to use it to start my backup generator. Those tiny lead acid batteries seem to have very short lives.

Using a lithium pack would be great as a starting only battery for generators and other OPE that doesn't need a battery for running.

 

[rlitman]

^^Thanks!! I took a look at mine and it doesn't have an override but I might just eliminate that little protection box or splice on an "always on" port.

I'd like to use it to start my backup generator. Those tiny lead acid batteries seem to have very short lives.

Using a lithium pack would be great as a starting only battery for generators and other OPE that doesn't need a battery for running.

That pinhole may not be obvious.

The "EC5" connector should be "always on". At least it is in all the cheap packs I've ever seen. If you've got a Noco though, those have the protection circuitry built into the pack, and have a different override procedure.

 

[mfewtrail]

Another option for Dave would be to purchase some generic replacement cables for it. There are plenty listed on ebay, amazon, etc. for $10 or less that are just cable + clamps, no protection at all. Most of these look like they use the same connector anyway...

 

[ChrisLS8]

Yes the JNC will work without any battery. I actually have had two JNC 770's for a few years now and have used them literally hundreds of times.

The guy who says they are in the past, doesn't have a bunch of vehicles that need starting. if you just need something to use once maybe those toys will work, if you need a real jump box, go with the bigger unit.

You're comparing a pocket sized jumper for emergency use to a standalone jump starter. I don't see the correlation

 

[Davefr]

Another option for Dave would be to purchase some generic replacement cables for it. There are plenty listed on ebay, amazon, etc. for $10 or less that are just cable + clamps, no protection at all. Most of these look like they use the same connector anyway...

My old unit was a cheapy from Costco and probably 5+ years old. It saved my *** once but every other time it wouldn't power up because of lack of battery or a battery too dead to jump.

I just ordered the Audew unit in the video. It sounds like having that Boost Button feature is worth it's weight in gold!

I might add an EC5 connector to my generator the next time the battery dies. Plug in a jump pack, hit boost and then hit start.

 

[youinreverse]

In the price range he was testing, one or both of the JNC units should have been included in the comparison. Outside that price range, I'd be interested to see the results of the higher priced NOCO versions. If I could see some solid testing of that Audew versus JNC lithium and Antigravity I might finally pull the trigger on a lithium box, but I've just never had any real cause to give up the ultra high performing and very reliable JNC lead acid boxes. The size and self discharge are just not huge issues to me, though I can certainly how they could be to most people.

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I'm curious on this too. I had a GB40 and it was garbage. I had a parasitic draw problem on my car for a couple weeks and I could never get it started with the GB40. My work bought a couple of the GB70s though and they've been great. The techs are using them to jump start vehicles all day long and they work every time. After I saw this I contacted NOCO and they took back my GB40 and replaced it with a GB70, which seems to be a better product all around.

 

[IndyGarage]

You're comparing a pocket sized jumper for emergency use to a standalone jump starter. I don't see the correlation

Yeah, it's not a fair comparison, but it would be interesting to see how close these little starters come to a real jump pack.

And with all the packaging they aren't so much smaller either. My JNC rides around in the back of my truck all the time and definitely gets used if I have an emergency.

 

[mautotech]

I've been abusing a JNCAir box for 7 years and it's still going strong. I love it. From my experience, all my friends have bought them over the years and they all still work great.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Meh... I purchased a similar pack on Amazon a while back, something recommended by a fellow GJ'er. At first I was very impressed a little pack could start my parts car with no battery (3L inline 6) installed. Well, that only lasted about a year and with each use the car was harder to start and the pack eventually died and wouldn't take a charge. Granted, I think it only cost $40 a couple years ago (SUAOKI brand IIRC).

I decided to spring for a larger pack from a more reputable company and settled on a NOCO GB70. We'll see how it does, but so far its been flawless. So was the Amazon special.

 

[gte718p]

The tester is entertaining. He talks very fast. I don't know enough about electric, but his tests seem legit.



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The testing methodology was mostly sound, but for it to have any meaning the entire process needed to be repeated multiple time with multiple samples of the jump box.

I have a random red Lion jump box from Costco. It has jumped of my 7.3L Powerstroke. Not something I would recommend as it got hot, but it did it. It never failed me with on an 89 4runner with a dead battery. I even used the jump pack as a battery to drive the 4runner home without the battery when the battery died because of the bad alternator. Another not approved use of a jump pack.

 

[ColumbianRon]

I'm not sure I like lithium jump packs. They will not work unless there's a battery already in the system.

That means it won't allow me to start my backup generator with it's battery removed.

I'd like something that will take the place of an installed battery. Will a JNC660 work or does it also require a battery in the system?

Maybe having a charged deep cycle battery and jumper cables is the best solution for starting various machines.

That's what I initially thought as well. Then he went to the Ford 5000, removed the battery from the system and did the testing without the battery. Some cranked it just fine. The others cranked, but not as well. So, it appears a battery in the car is not needed for the lithium packs to start?

I have a JNC 770 in the trunk of my car, but it is really big for the trunk of my wife's car, and doesn't fit behind the seat of my pickup truck. These lithium battery packs seem to fill the niche for vehicles with limited storage space, if they don't need a battery (with voltage) in the car to be started—and it appears they don't. I'm really not sure what he was demonstrating on that test.

To answer your question about the whether the JNC needs a battery in the car to work, it does not. When I first got mine several years ago, I think I remember I disconnected the positive cable from the battery and tested its start capacity without the battery. It cranked and started just fine.

 

[sobediny]

I've used mine to jump off my truck multiple times, I love this thing. I'm buying another one for my wife's vehicle from Audew. $64.99 is a steal now.
https://www.audew.com/Audew-20000mAh-Peak-2000A-Car-Jump-Starter-for-Any-Gas-Engine-or-Up-To-8-5L-Diesel-Engine-with-LCD-Power-Display-p-100058.html

 

[gungatim]

anyone ever built their own? another site I am on there are a couple guys building these with individual cells to fit in a ammo can size to power both 12v and with 120v inverter...

stumbled across it when I was looking to see if my NOCO would run my little inverter for an emergency...

 

[Rabid Badger]

anyone ever built their own? another site I am on there are a couple guys building these with individual cells to fit in a ammo can size to power both 12v and with 120v inverter...

stumbled across it when I was looking to see if my NOCO would run my little inverter for an emergency...

Can you post a link? I'd be interested to see what circuitry they're using.

 

[jonesg]

Not real world testing, truck engine was at 75F.
Maybe try it again next winter or a junk engine filled with molasses because thats what its like when the ambient temp is minus 45F,
we get that here in Maine ,
Unless they have premium lithiums, like milwaukee packs....the average lith can be ineffective in arctic temps.

I have a jumpbox with heavy 12v gelcell, it doesn't fit in the glovebox.
Premium jumper cables are a must too.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Can you post a link? I'd be interested to see what circuitry they're using.

A quick google search found several. Not sure which the OP was referring to, but here is one.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Not real world testing, truck engine was at 75F.
Maybe try it again next winter or a junk engine filled with molasses because thats what its like when the ambient temp is minus 45F,
we get that here in Maine ,
Unless they have premium lithiums, like milwaukee packs....the average lith can be ineffective in arctic temps.

I have a jumpbox with heavy 12v gelcell, it doesn't fit in the glovebox.
Premium jumper cables are a must too.

Maybe not real world for you but perfectly practical for me.

 

[jonesg]

Maybe not real world for you but perfectly practical for me.

yeh Georgia is nice and muggy, but he put the packs in the freezer didn't he.
What do you suppose he was trying to simulate by freezing them?
Do you know what a shill is ?

 

[Lucid Moments]

yeh Georgia is nice and muggy, but he put the packs in the freezer didn't he.
What do you suppose he was trying to simulate by freezing them?
Do you know what a shill is ?

I haven't watched the video yet, but from what I understand he is anything but a shill. He frequently states that he purchases all of the products he tests retail. I suppose you can question his honesty if you want. I certainly question his methods on occasion, but he seems like he is trying to do the best he can with somewhat limited resources.

So do us all a favor. Question his methodology all you want, but quit trying to be nasty.

 

[CJM8515]

Not real world testing, truck engine was at 75F.
Maybe try it again next winter or a junk engine filled with molasses because thats what its like when the ambient temp is minus 45F,
we get that here in Maine ,
Unless they have premium lithiums, like milwaukee packs....the average lith can be ineffective in arctic temps.

I have a jumpbox with heavy 12v gelcell, it doesn't fit in the glovebox.
Premium jumper cables are a must too.

so, what your trying to say is we all live in places that reach arctic like conditions and that all of the jump packs should perform at those temps and conditions....right

not for nothing, but of course its gonna vary. if you live where water turns into snow if you so much as bring it outside in the winter..just maybe you got more issues than a jumper pack not working..

 

[gungatim]

Can you post a link? I'd be interested to see what circuitry they're using.

of course I can't find the thread....but here's a link to the batteries and one of the circuits he used still in my amazon history.
Li Fe batteries instead of Lion, maybe that will help in the search. there was a youtube video linked but I can't find which one of the million out there it was.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

there was a monitoring app on the phone and he ran two banks in parallel. that's about all I remember.