The death of a JNC 660 - salute to a great one

[Bennylava]

Many of you probably own a JNC 660, and it seems to be a favorite and a standard in the tow truck world. After 15 years mine is finally dead. I noticed that the battery just wouldn't stay charged. I'd charge it up and the little meter would say its fine, but the next day it would be dead.

I was pretty sure it was over, and was getting ready to take it apart and drop the battery off somewhere. Then the pic happened.

It was such a great tool that I now have another one. I did notice that they changed the finish. The old ones were slick, the new one is textured.

 

[RTM]

Just buy a new battery for the old one. Mine went bad quickly, got a new battery from a local shop, popped it right in, and away we went. One for each vehicle, or one in the car one in the house

 

[Bennylava]

Just buy a new battery for the old one. Mine went bad quickly, got a new battery from a local shop, popped it right in, and away we went. One for each vehicle, or one in the car one in the house

Yeah they sent a "coupon" with the new one. It was comically bad, they said to send a dead JNC660 to them and they would install a new battery for only $100.

So basically their offer was, if your JNC 660 dies, buy a new one!

 

[ericg]

This is the one that I used to replace mine. You can probably find them cheaper on Amazon

12V 22AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery for Jump N Carry JNC660 - Walmart.com

Buy 12V 22AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery for Jump N Carry JNC660 at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[Buckaroo5]

Yeah they sent a "coupon" with the new one. It was comically bad, they said to send a dead JNC660 to them and they would install a new battery for only $100.

So basically their offer was, if your JNC 660 dies, buy a new one!

I replaced my battery as well. I used the Gel version (MightyMax M22-12 Gel) which is little more expensive than the standard MightyMax. Lists for $63.19 on Zoro but applied a 20% off coupon so it was about $50.

 

[RTM]

Yeah they sent a "coupon" with the new one. It was comically bad, they said to send a dead JNC660 to them and they would install a new battery for only $100.

So basically their offer was, if your JNC 660 dies, buy a new one!

Yeah, I think I paid $60 for my battery, from someone I trusted for carry in warranty service.

 

[Bennylava]

Yeah, I think I paid $60 for my battery, from someone I trusted for carry in warranty service.

I'm not familiar with the specs on the original battery... In terms of specs, how does that one stack up against the jnc660's battery?

And will it live as long? I've heard there are people who won't buy a walmart battery just on sheer principle.

Anyway here's what the Ai spit out when I asked about the other battery that Buckaroo mentioned:


The MightyMax ML22-12GEL is not an upgrade for the JNC-660’s original battery. It has the same nominal 12 V/22 Ah capacity and fits the case, but a gel battery is optimized for deep-cycle service—not the very high short-duration current required by a jump pack. Its lower cranking capability may reduce the JNC-660’s jump performance, and the unit’s built-in charger was designed around the original high-rate AGM-style battery.

The JNC-660 originally uses a 22-Ah Clore PROFORMER high-rate battery, and Clore rates the complete pack at 425 cranking amps and 1,700 peak amps.manuals+1

Best replacement​

The best choice is the genuine Clore Automotive JNC105 PROFORMER replacement battery. It is the OEM replacement specifically listed for the JNC4000, JNC660, JNC770, and JNCAIR, and it includes the installation hardware and instructions.cloreautomotive+1

Good aftermarket choice​

If the JNC105 is too expensive or unavailable, use a 12-V, 22-Ah high-rate AGM/SLA battery with nut-and-bolt terminals, not gel. Suitable examples include:

• SigmasTek SP12-22NB — marketed specifically as a JNC660 replacement, with NB nut-and-bolt terminals.amazon
• AJC-D22S — 12 V, 22 Ah AGM/SLA replacement with NB terminals.batteryclerk
• Raion Power RG12220FP — compatible 12 V, 22 Ah replacement, although you reuse the original cables and hardware.raiongroup

Recommendation​

For a professional jump pack, my order would be:

1. Clore JNC105 PROFORMER — best match and lowest compatibility risk.
2. SigmasTek SP12-22NB — reasonable aftermarket alternative.
3. AJC-D22S or Raion RG12220FP — acceptable if the dimensions, terminal location, polarity, and high-rate discharge specification are verified.

The MightyMax ML22-12GEL is suitable as a replacement for a deep-cycle or standby application, but I would not install it in a JNC-660 if maximum starting performance is the goal.

 

[RTM]

I'm not familiar with the specs on the original battery... In terms of specs, how does that one stack up against the jnc660's battery?

And will it live as long

I looked at physical size, and electrical size, both were a match, same connectors, don’t remember if nut and bolt, or spade. I replaced two UPS and one emergency light batteries at the same time, the all ran together.

I read somewhere online about people deriding the Clore battery, so I wonder if the AI source was Clore’s website.

 

[Bennylava]

I looked at physical size, and electrical size, both were a match, same connectors, don’t remember if nut and bolt, or spade. I replaced two UPS and one emergency light batteries at the same time, the all ran together.

I read somewhere online about people deriding the Clore battery, so I wonder if the AI source was Clore’s website.

Well they make a nice jump box as we already know, but some of their other decisions are questionable. For instance, I managed to figure out that the charging cable I was using was not the one it came with. Cause it didn't come with one. Cause they're too cheap I guess.

Here's the right cable:

AC Extension Cord for JNC4000/JNC660/JNCAIR/JNC770R - Clore Automotive

The AC Extension Cord for Jump-N-Carry Starters from Clore Automotive is designed for Jump-N-Carry models including the JNC4000, JNC550A, JNC660, JNC770R, JNCAIR and the JNCXF. It will let you charge your jump starter easily and conveniently. These are among the several Jump-N-Carry jump starter...

cloreautomotive.com

Turns out I was using an old computer power supply cable. Which I'm sure is supposed to hold on for dear life. Explains why it ultimately yanked out the right hand charging blade on the plug. I bought the thing 15 years ago, I didn't know I was using a computer cable. Somewhere along the lines I must have figured that was the right cable, cause otherwise how would you charge the damn thing? Surely they wouldn't have just said

"Figure it out yourself buddy, not our problem".

Which is what they did, both times that I bought the jump box. A reputable, high end commercial grade jump box. Vital charging cable not included.

 

[RTM]

Well they make a nice jump box as we already know, but some of their other decisions are questionable. For instance, I managed to figure out that the charging cable I was using was not the one it came with. Cause it didn't come with one.

I use a regular 2 wire extension cord with mid, plugs right in. Just need to pick the right side that fits into the open space. It rides around n the truck with the charger, so if I use it, I can plug it into my inverter while driving. This one has two outlets on the back side.

 

[ronkz650]

The original battery costs as much as a new unit. I replaced the battery with one of the Mighty Max ones, but it's nowhere near the capability of the original battery, but works.

 

[engineer2]

I've got a Jump-n-Carry Air I no longer need. PM me if interested. It needs a new battery. Was occasional homeowner use only.

 

[Bennylava]

The original battery costs as much as a new unit. I replaced the battery with one of the Mighty Max ones, but it's nowhere near the capability of the original battery, but works.

Apparently you can get close to the capability of the original. But the terminals are different, so you'd have to make or buy some little adapter brackets.

The battery is:

Amazon.com: SigmasTek Genuine SP12-22HR (NB) SLA AGM Battery, 12V 22Ah NB : Health & Household

Buy SigmasTek Genuine SP12-22HR (NB) SLA AGM Battery, 12V 22Ah NB: 12V - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Outahere]

This is the OE battery from my JNC660. It only lasted 2 years, in very light duty. I replaced it with a Mighty Max. When tested with a carbon pile, the MM battery could not match the current output of the BB battery. I don't remember the exact measurements, but I do remember the difference was substantial. There was also a substantial weight difference between the two batteries.

 

[GTO]

I guess it's time to check my 660 out to see if it still holding a charge.
Mine has relegated to a back up situation, since I have two smaller compact boost packs in the DD's.

 

[IndyGarage]

I put a new battery in mine - works fine.