I have 2) cheap battery start/ jump packs that are dying. Lose a charge after a couple of days. I'm thinking about buying a compact portable start pack. I want one big enough to jump start a v8 in cold weather. Any recommendations? Any to stay away from? There's a lot of options
Battery jump/ start packs
- Thread starter mc1984ss
- Start date
BigDaveZJ
Well-known member
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JFJLP6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
This would start my old Ford 7.3L PowerStroke with dead batteries without issue.
This would start my old Ford 7.3L PowerStroke with dead batteries without issue.
JamesW84
Well-known member
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZKGVQN/?tag=atomicindus08-20
My work truck w/ a v10 died one day and I borrowed one of these from a mechanic to jump start it. Worked like a charm. I'm not sure if he had the 8 or 12,000 mah, but for the extra $8 the 12k might be the best bet(they're out of stock now, though).
Edit: The listing says this is good for up to V8 5.4L, so not sure what you're trying to start.
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tez929rr
Well-known member
I’ve started my V10 with my first Lithium pack (an Antigravity) and years later with the replacement, a Bolt Power D29. I got about 5 years out of the first set of Antigravity batteries that I purchased.
rcktpwrd
Well-known member
maybe you can find a replacement battery for your jump pack.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/...a256-c18c-49e7-8d3c-59eb5ea05e44&ref_=ast_bln
I have 15-20 year old jump pack with a built in air pump and the battery went bad. I found a very close replacement from the above vendor and it works like new.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/...a256-c18c-49e7-8d3c-59eb5ea05e44&ref_=ast_bln
I have 15-20 year old jump pack with a built in air pump and the battery went bad. I found a very close replacement from the above vendor and it works like new.
I have a Stanley FatMax 450 I plan to replace the battery in. The compressor has been used more than the jump pack.
I guess to be more accurate I have 2 lithium jump packs as well as the conventional one with the compressor. They are kept in different vehicles.
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I love my jump n carry!
Jump-N-Carry is old school. It needs to be recharged regularly.
There are dozens of the never Lithium jump packs on the market these days. Some good, some bad. Name brand does NOT necessarily mean good !
Best Car Jump Starter? V1
Best Car Jump Starter? V2
A recent thread on the subject.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=472673
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=472673
tom-ky
Well-known member
I have wondered about one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAD97MJ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
No battery.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAD97MJ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
No battery.
Maybe old school but it seems to be tried and true. I’d love to go lithium but the reviews always seem really mixed. I have had my jnc for a few years now and only recharge it maybe every 4 or 5 months. It seems to hold it change quite well and if the battery does **** out it nice knowing I can replace it vs buying a whole new unit. Only real downside is it’s weigh and size but I can deal with that if it works when you need it most.
rsparks64
Well-known member
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZKGVQN/?tag=atomicindus08-20
My work truck w/ a v10 died one day and I borrowed one of these from a mechanic to jump start it. Worked like a charm. I'm not sure if he had the 8 or 12,000 mah, but for the extra $8 the 12k might be the best bet(they're out of stock now, though).
Edit: The listing says this is good for up to V8 5.4L, so not sure what you're trying to start.
That looks like mine but a different name and color, including the container. Probably the same manufacter. However, mine is rated at something over 6.2 liter because I wanted it to be able to jump larger v8s. I forget the brand off hand. The nice thing about it is that it is a lot smaller than those large jump pack/stations.
I have 4 of the packs.......2 Antigravity and 2 Costco.
The price, quality, performance and power rating of the packs are all the map.
Sorts like air compressors and lawn mower HP.
It’s buyer beware.......including premium brands being copied or counterfeit even at the BIG stores and online.
They all have limitations.........so if it’s -20* maybe hook the pack up and leave on for 5 minutes before cranking.
If you over TAX the pack the good one will shut down and reset. The bad one will go into thermal melt down ( fire) and are literally toast.
There are multiple other threads on the jump packs.
The price, quality, performance and power rating of the packs are all the map.
Sorts like air compressors and lawn mower HP.
It’s buyer beware.......including premium brands being copied or counterfeit even at the BIG stores and online.
They all have limitations.........so if it’s -20* maybe hook the pack up and leave on for 5 minutes before cranking.
If you over TAX the pack the good one will shut down and reset. The bad one will go into thermal melt down ( fire) and are literally toast.
There are multiple other threads on the jump packs.
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CJDave
Well-known member
The battery inside my jump start pack died after 8 or so years. I opened the case and inside was a lead acid battery the size used by a motorcycle/small riding mower. Shopped around and found a replacement. CJDave.
This is what all of them are if not lithium.
It's all about the battery ....
Read the label. The big ones just have a gel battery in them. The bigger the better ... I have found the the plan units w/o all the stuff .... light/compressor or 110v ... are the best as they have a larger battery. The last one I bought was around $100 bucks -- the battery in those units is pushing $60 to replace ... so you can't really get one with all the bells for the same price ... it has to have a smaller battery to hit the price point
I also have one of the small ones and for the most part they work ... although I have found that you only get one or maybe two shots. Normally enough ...
Read the label. The big ones just have a gel battery in them. The bigger the better ... I have found the the plan units w/o all the stuff .... light/compressor or 110v ... are the best as they have a larger battery. The last one I bought was around $100 bucks -- the battery in those units is pushing $60 to replace ... so you can't really get one with all the bells for the same price ... it has to have a smaller battery to hit the price point
I also have one of the small ones and for the most part they work ... although I have found that you only get one or maybe two shots. Normally enough ...
KMdef9
Well-known member
In my exp, the little lithium ones struggle to start a dead battery in really cold conditions (V6 at that). I never had an issue with my "old school" one. Just leave it on there for a while and works fine.
I've only used 2 of the newer lithium ones, and they both have really thin guage wires, wonder how many amps they're actually putting down when trying to "jump".
I've only used 2 of the newer lithium ones, and they both have really thin guage wires, wonder how many amps they're actually putting down when trying to "jump".
Old Steamer
Well-known member
Maybe old school but it seems to be tried and true. I’d love to go lithium but the reviews always seem really mixed. I have had my jnc for a few years now and only recharge it maybe every 4 or 5 months. It seems to hold it change quite well and if the battery does **** out it nice knowing I can replace it vs buying a whole new unit. Only real downside is it’s weigh and size but I can deal with that if it works when you need it most.
A friend of mine is a certified investigator for many of the well known brands of automobiles. I've been with him on quite a few of his investigations and most of the dealership techs use the JNC 660 as their jump pack of choice. That's good enough for me.
ford33
Well-known member
I have had a jnc660 for maybe 8 years. It has never failed to get my truck or friends vehicles started due to a weak battery. I replaced the existing jnc battery a few years ago. Easy to do and works like new. It is big and heavy and works every time.
mrobins297aaa
Well-known member
I got this one from antigravity, I had it about 4 years and it's been ok, they say it'll start a 7.3.
They stand behind there products, one of the jumper cable clamps fell apart after it was out of warranty but they still sent me a new one free of charge.
They stand behind there products, one of the jumper cable clamps fell apart after it was out of warranty but they still sent me a new one free of charge.
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greg13
Well-known member
You guys are half right, they need to be charged regularly. But they also need to discharged regularly or the battery will go bad. The worst thing you can do to a battery is just leave it on the charger until you need it, and never need it.
That was more true with Nicad and MiNH batteries vs Lithium.
logan09
Well-known member
+1 For Jump N' Carry. My friend has had one for several years and uses it on all his diesels. I was more than impressed with it and bought one myself. Haven't had an issue in two years I've had it. And it's been used/borrowed a lot.
That's the type I have always bought --- one of mine broke and was not worth fixing the other I have replaced the battery twice. It's getting ratty -- so next will be new.
Instead of getting another JNC I bought one of the lithium. So I have both.
I own a transport company .... at one time I was always jumping cars. Today -- everything is better and with most cars you can't leave anything on. I find on the old cars if you do leave something "on" the lithium is fine to get it going. If it's really dead the JNC is better.
If one of the car dies on the road I alway bring the JNC .... they have more reserve