Auto battery jumper/power supply

[kball]

Amazon's hot deal of the day! Great price for one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D42AFS8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TheWhiteMamba]

$80 is about as cheap as this thing has ever been (typically $90-$99) and I never thought I would use one until I needed one last week when my alternator failed. This one looks smaller and has much better reviews than the one I borrowed, looking forward to (not) using it, but having it! Thanks OP!

 

[Super Sport]

Hmmm, I've never seen a jump box like that. I've thought about getting a jump box on more than one occasion, so I just might have to bite on this one!

 

[Xtrom]

I've used the Antigravity brand and love it. Anybody used this brand? It's almost $30 cheaper.

 

[TheWhiteMamba]

I've never heard of the Antigravity Brand, or this one for that matter, but after running a car on a failed alternator I had to use a Duralast one from work. The first jump worked like a charm at the office, but when I was 90% the way home, it failed to work a second time (no telling how charged the thing was when I got it tho).

This one says it'll jump a dead battery 20 times on 1 charge. And while I doubt it'll be THAT many times, the 4.5 star reviews and the portability make it a worthwhile purchase for me anyways.

 

[kball]

I've used the Antigravity brand and love it. Anybody used this brand? It's almost $30 cheaper.

I have only used antigravity brand also and they work great. I'm sure this will be comparable. I bought mine (antigravity) for $130 so this one is $50 cheaper!

I've never heard of the Antigravity Brand, or this one for that matter, but after running a car on a failed alternator I had to use a Duralast one from work. The first jump worked like a charm at the office, but when I was 90% the way home, it failed to work a second time (no telling how charged the thing was when I got it tho).

This one says it'll jump a dead battery 20 times on 1 charge. And while I doubt it'll be THAT many times, the 4.5 star reviews and the portability make it a worthwhile purchase for me anyways.

Antigravity is the brand all the tool truck guys are carrying. Although they bump the price up and provide less adapters. I'm sure these will jump at least 3-4 times before being dead but you're supposed to recharge after 1-2 jumps just to keep it fully ready. This is the size of a usb backup drive (laptop) so I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[kythri]

The Astro Pneumatic unit has a lot more adapters for things like various laptop models, and seems to avoid providing adapters for ancient cellphones like this one does...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KD5VU6U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kball]

Antigravity comes with the most adapters I've seen.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F8OZ1NO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kythri]

That's what I'm saying - I spot several adapters in there that are for discontinued cellphone models that haven't been sold for years - and it doesn't appear that it's got an iPhone 5 Lightning adapter in there (the Astro does).

If you don't have an iPhone 5 or newer iPad, then, obviously, this doesn't mean much, but it's a pretty big exclusion considering that it's one of the most popular series of devices out there, and has been out for nearly 2 years.

Providing "more" adapters doesn't mean all that much when they're absolutely useless.

 

[kball]

You mean like my old useless phone? LOL

 

[4xdog]

Antigravity Batteries Micro-Start PPS XP-3 is $88 compared to PowerAll PBJS12000R at $80.

I have one of the Antigravity units (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GT2FUB2/?tag=atomicindus08-20) and it seems to be a fine little product.

The comparison table in Amazon for the PowerAll doesn't state Antigravity by name, and some of their comparisons are clearly designed to be favorable to themselves (ya think?). The one that interests me most is the MOSFET rectifiers on the PowerAll. That does seem to be an advantage.

 

[teesee150]

I have one of these. Bought it about two months ago and I use it ALL the time at my salvage yard. I use it all day to jump cars with dead batteries and let it charge overnight. It definitely beats the old 70lb jump box that I used to carry around.

In fact, I like it so much, I just bought two more for myself.

 

[MN4x4]

Has anybody got a diesel one out yet?

 

[kball]

I don't know why they say they're not for use on diesel engines but I jumped a 120kw generator with a 24v system with mine and it worked!

 

[JamieK]

Can one of these be used just as a 12 volt source for testing purposes? I use my big jump box all the time for bench testing starters, electric motors, solenoids, bulbs etc.

 

[Xtrom]

We used the Antigravity one to start a 283 without a battery hooked up to it so I don't see why it couldn't be used for a power source.

 

[Xtrom]

Looks like the deal is over though.

 

[purplezr2]

I don't know why they say they're not for use on diesel engines but I jumped a 120kw generator with a 24v system with mine and it worked!

The powerall is rated for small diesel cars (less that 3.0L). I assume that anything large is too much of a draw and would damage the unit.

 

[kball]

The powerall is rated for small diesel cars (less that 3.0L). I assume that anything large is too much of a draw and would damage the unit.

I agree. The cable on my unit was very hot after jumping that gen set.

 

[CobraRed]

Has anybody got a diesel one out yet?

Because of peak amperage draw. These units all put out 400 amps which is best used on gasoline powered engines of almost any size.
On a gas engine as most know, you're dealing with 8.5:1 (older and forced induction engines) to about 11-11.5:1 compression on the newer high revving engines.

Diesel engines not only need amps to power to glow plugs before ignition, they are cranking an engine over that's compressing up to around 25:1 compression. That takes a lot of effort for the starter motor, and a lot more amps.

Modern diesel (like diesel trucks) starters will likely require 610-650+ amps from a unit like this. Large diesels often run dual batteries with peak amps well above this for extreme cold and because they need to be able do it more than a few times on a charge.

 

[MN4x4]

Because of peak amperage draw. These units all put out 400 amps which is best used on gasoline powered engines of almost any size.
On a gas engine as most know, you're dealing with 8.5:1 (older and forced induction engines) to about 11-11.5:1 compression on the newer high revving engines.

Diesel engines not only need amps to power to glow plugs before ignition, they are cranking an engine over that's compressing up to around 25:1 compression. That takes a lot of effort for the starter motor, and a lot more amps.

Modern diesel (like diesel trucks) starters will likely require 610-650+ amps from a unit like this. Large diesels often run dual batteries with peak amps well above this for extreme cold and because they need to be able do it more than a few times on a charge.

Thanks for the dissertation, but - being a diesel guy - I already knew that. Of course there are folks who will read this who *won't* know that, so thanks for posting.

While these are fairly new products, the current limitations ( in BOTH senses of the word are likely to be overcome fairly soon. I understand that it will likely be physically larger and cost more. That's fine. The issue is that I *only* drive diesels, so something that only works with a gasser is of no value to me.

I would be *very* interested in a capable diesel version, though - something that would work on an 8-cylinder 'light truck' diesel - so my question remains:

Has anybody got a diesel one out yet?

 

[CobraRed]

Thanks for the dissertation, but - being a diesel guy - I already knew that. Of course there are folks who will read this who *won't* know that, so thanks for posting.

While these are fairly new products, the current limitations ( in BOTH senses of the word are likely to be overcome fairly soon. I understand that it will likely be physically larger and cost more. That's fine. The issue is that I *only* drive diesels, so something that only works with a gasser is of no value to me.

I would be *very* interested in a capable diesel version, though - something that would work on an 8-cylinder 'light truck' diesel - so my question remains:

Has anybody got a diesel one out yet?

Yeah, sorry for singly addressing you. I was more quoting since you brought the question up in order to explain to the thread in general why a lot on the current market arn't sufficient - and to give an idea at what point they might be sufficient.

To try and answer your question. There are definitely a couple mini jumpers that have come out recently that are over the 400amp mark, and one that comes close. But nothing yet that I would recommend to a friend to get for diesel truck use, especially in cold whether.

 

[motorcycle79]

This says it can do diesel antigravity xp-10

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQ5Z5F2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CobraRed]

This says it can do diesel antigravity xp-10

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQ5Z5F2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yup, that's the latest. 600 peak amps, pretty good. Thier website says smaller Diesel engines - but the Amazon link doesn't make the distinction. Thing is quite big in person compared to the previous generation - not as much targeting the personal electronics IMO. Says it fits in your pocket, but it's 9"x3.2" - not sure about the sizing of their pockets.

 

[Ign]

REVIVAL 9/23/14

Amazon has 6 of these used from their Amazon Warehouse. One presently listed at "good" $76.91 and 5 listed as "very good" at $79.90.

They may get snatched up now, but I'm not really sure I want one so que sera. Questions are: would you buy one used from Amazon Warehouse to save $20?? They are typically good about only selling items in very good condition.

2nd question: I was reading Amazon reviews of the Antigravity units and one reviewer claimed because such products have a li-ion battery they are considered hazardous & thus non-returnable. First, if true, that would cause me even more hesitation about buying one of these "used" and second, how did Amazon Warehouse wind up w "used" units to sell if they don't take them back??

I tried to email Amazon cust svc w these questions but their site told me repeatedly there was an error accepting my message & encouraged me to call them (which I can't do anytime soon even tho I can clearly type up lengthy questions).

edit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B00D42AFS8/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all

 

[kball]

I wouldn't buy a used one for just $20 saved. Who knows what was done to it beforehand. Someone may have "tested" the **** out of it and diminished the life expectancy.

As far as hazardous... I would think it they can ship it out no problem without hazmat packaging and msds spec sheets you should be able to return it no problem.

 

[06 DIESEL]

One of those used one's might be from me. I bought it to start a 1939 AC model M crawler, gas 4.9 L. It turned it over once, then never would again, even after a full verified charge. They took it back, no questions asked.

I am going to have to look into the XP-10, I have more diesel vehicles than gas but can not justify the cost of it currently since everything I own has new batteries within the last two years.

 

[Ign]

Thanks! I figured some of the returned units might be from GJ members since this thread initially began.

 

[kball]

I don't know why anyone would return one if it's not broken. I've used mine several times, my mom has one and has used it for a friend, my coworkers have used theirs several times all with great results. As long as there's a good connection it will start your car.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

mytoolstore.com has the astro version for a great price!
check it out!

http://www.mytoolstore.com/astro/7775.html

 

[DHCrocks]

what about this one? only $59.99. sure would come in handy.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7UXT2O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kball]

what about this one? only $59.99. sure would come in handy.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7UXT2O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Looks like a good deal. Supply your own adapters for phones, computers, etc...and off you go...

 

[jason1]

I recommend this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAKG43C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It comes in a nice hard plastic case, has a 5 year warranty, and is only $83.

That said, if you can wait another month or so, I'm sure there will be some killer christmas deals on these jumpstarters.

 

[motorcycle79]

What brands does everyone have? It seems every time I search there are more to choose from. I'm wondering if there is one better than another. My bro in law has the antigravity xp-3 looked nice but never saw it jump start anything. He did charge some things with it tho.

 

[kball]

What brands does everyone have? It seems every time I search there are more to choose from. I'm wondering if there is one better than another. My bro in law has the antigravity xp-3 looked nice but never saw it jump start anything. He did charge some things with it tho.

All my friends and I have the anti gravity. Can't imagine there's much of a difference between them.

 

[CobraRed]

2nd revival
Astro just put out a Diesel one:

https://scontent-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/p180x540/1511200_10152830817592383_1485259308258154861_n.jpg?oh=663ea105416cf29323140318373cdc6e&oe=551C51D1

 

[Gareth68]

I wonder why none of these units offer a 12v accessory plug.

All the adapters are nice, per se I guess.

But one 12v plug and I could plug anything at all in.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I wonder why none of these units offer a 12v accessory plug.

All the adapters are nice, per se I guess.

But one 12v plug and I could plug anything at all in.

Hey Gareth,
This unit currently has a 12V 2A output.

Is that to what you are referring?

 

[GSteg]

I wonder why none of these units offer a 12v accessory plug.

All the adapters are nice, per se I guess.

But one 12v plug and I could plug anything at all in.

Schumacher SL1 comes with a 12V female cigarette plug. It's good up to 6A.


I looked at many of these jumpstarts and I ended up with the NOCO GB30. It doesn't have these fancy adapters (1 USB output), but it's a lot sturdier and feels more substantial than anything else I've seen. It also has a good protection circuit in case you reverse polarity, or accidentally touch the two clamps together. Cost about $120-130, but I think it's worth buying from a company like NOCO that did more than just rebrand another product.

 

[Gareth68]

Hmm...yep, thanks....looks like teh schumacher includes the 12v plug.

I know you can buy them separately, but it seems silly.

Almost every item I would want to plug into such a device, I allready own a 12v accessory cord

No reviews on teh schumacher though.