best portable jump starter / charger?

[MN4x4]

jump n carry is pretty much what everyone I know including me has

^^^ This.

I have a dual voltage 12/24 unit for my vehicles and generator, which is where the 24 volt part comes in.

 

[bimmerTEK]

http://www.amazon.com/ATD-Tools-593...DEU/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1 I own this unit so far so good. I own 3 cnc6000 over the years it seems like they don't last 2 years my last one only lasted 1 year. There's no battery replacements. Schumacher PSJ-2212 is also very popular by dealserships techs.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I know I weighed in earlier about a search for a good jump pack. I looked at a few, but really wanted a snap on one. No particular reason for snap on. My snap on guy already had 8 promised to people once the back order was filled around the beginning of Feb. I found this one brand new. It was taken out of the box and charged. Never jumped anything and there is no marks anywhere on it. I paid a little more than I wanted, but it had both ac and dc chargers. The new ones only have dc chargers. I paid $200 for it. It feels very sturdy and not cheap like some of the others. I used it to jump my tractor this morning and worked perfectly. Time will tell.

 

[Packard V8]

The one sure thing is Snap-on doesn't make jump start chargers. Find out who actually manufactures it and buy it under their brand for half as much.

The other sure thing is Snap-on probably went through the Q&A we're doing here, did some comparison tests and picked one of the better units to carry their label. Thus, I'd buy that one if I could find who actually makes it.

jack vines

 

[bobcatdan]

I have the SO jumper and like it very much. I bought it on a sale one time that made it very cost competitive to other pro models. I use it mostly for jumping diesel bobcats and it starts those no problem. I really like the volt gauge on it. When you hook up a battery, it will show the battery charge. It has an on/off switch, turn it on, you see jumpers voltage. Once the car is started, it shows system voltage so you know if the car is charging. It has come in very handy this winter.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I can't see any clue on who made it for snap on. Good logic Packard V8. I would believe snap on to seek out a reputable brand to put their name on as well. The only apparent thing is its hecho en china. Thing weighs 42 pounds and is encased in that rubberized plastic vs traditional hard plastic. Has the 12volt outlet to either use with 12volt stuff or to charge the unit thru. It also has a plug on the side to change it off a wall plug. The functionality is just like bobcatdan stated above.

 

[wafrederick]

The store bought ones don't last.I use a home made one,jumper cables connected to a 300 CCA lawnmower battery.Hook up a battery tendor when not in use and last longer than the store bought versions.I have seen jumper cables hook on a car battery at a car auction on a cart as a jumper box.

 

[cburnscrx]

JNC 660. This shouldn't even be a question lol.

I question this pack for all the reasons they list on their website. No overcharge protection, no USB, no detection if you put them on wrong, ect.

If I am in an unlighted area, I certainly would like to SEE what I am attaching to the battery, but that's not always the case. Additionally I like the fact that I can plug it in and walk away. If I unplug it from charging next week...so what. I don't want a pack to be effort.

That pack is not for everybody, and they make it very clear. It's not for me, not because I am not capable of making it work, but because I don't want the trouble to do so.

 

[stingray1966]

jnc 660 HANDS DOWN THE BEST OUT THERE also jnc 950 that thing will jump start a diesel truck no problems can't tell you how many times 3 am 10 degrees out and with a dead KW and that jnc 950 would jump start that beast with no problems at all try doing that with some Walmart box I have tied a lot and have found that the jnc is the only one that will take a beating and just keeps working

 

[flippin]

I have been using jump packs since the mid 90's and have always been impressed with their utility. That said when my first one died, like everything else since childhood, I took it apart. Not surprisingly there isn't any magic inside, just a small sealed lead acid battery connected to the booster cables. I was actually shocked and disappointed with the battery capacity. many of the smaller models only have a 7ah battery, the same size used in a home alarm system. Yes of course some models have cigarette plugs, lights, voltmeters etc, but ultimately we purchase them to boost a battery.

Since then I purchased a medium sized Odyssey AGM along with an Anderson plug and salvaged the cables from a dead booster pack to create my own. I put everything into an inexpensive Cordura tool bag and couldn't be happier. I have about the same invested as a mid sized booster pack but the battery capacity is equivalent to the largest packs on the market. Furthermore, the AGM battery is much better quality and will last far longer between charges.

 

[whyNick?]

I've had good luck with the Clore ES2500. Inexpensive, compact, and reliable.

 

[Nak]

Micro start anti-gravity battery. I don't know how long it will last but it works great right now. Check it out. It is so small. It is almost shocking it will start a car but it does. It is not going to replace a battery cart or anything like that but it definitely has it's place. You can put it in your pocket.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I know I weighed in earlier about a search for a good jump pack. I looked at a few, but really wanted a snap on one. No particular reason for snap on. My snap on guy already had 8 promised to people once the back order was filled around the beginning of Feb. I found this one brand new. It was taken out of the box and charged. Never jumped anything and there is no marks anywhere on it. I paid a little more than I wanted, but it had both ac and dc chargers. The new ones only have dc chargers. I paid $200 for it. It feels very sturdy and not cheap like some of the others. I used it to jump my tractor this morning and worked perfectly. Time will tell.

That snappy jump box is a rebranded Schumacher.
Probably this one which can be bought for $130.00

 

[Snaperoo]

The advantage of buying the Snap on one is the service. For a warranty issue just hand it to your dealer and he handles it for you. Also they will rebuild an older one for reasonable money. Sure you pay more up front, but you're getting more than just the tool. Service,free financing, and peace of mind. I might be biased, but I think it's a good deal.

 

[impactsocket]

How often do you have to plug the portable jump starter in to an outlet to charge?

How long do these portable jump starters last? How many years until you have to buy a new one?

Are there portable jump starters with usb ports? Most of the time the portable jump starter will sit idle unless it had usb ports and you put it in the car and charge up your portable devices.

 

[MattPersman]

Yes the snap on ones have USB ports. You need to charge every 90 days if sitting idle. They should last you several years, it's a battery inside. How long do car batteries last? Some less than a year, some 7 years or more.

I think the key features are CCA and ability to charge with standard cord. No adapter that may get lost. Some of the jump boxes have very few CCA even though they are giant like the sears diehard for instance.

 

[MattPersman]

The camo snap on has the USB according to the catalog. http://store.snapon.com/EEJP500iCAMO-12V-Jumpstarter-with-Inverter-EEJP500iCAMO-P651391.aspx but the cables are shorter than the red ones they sell.

For power vs price the JNC 660 still is the king in my book.

 

[dieselgarage]

I just picked up a Jump-N-Carry JNC1224 3400/1700 Peak Amp 12/24V Jump Starter.

I have not used it just got it last week.

 

[FlameOut]

I've been looking for one of these units over the past two weeks, and oddly, the two I was thinking about were mentioned in this thread. The Schumacher PSJ-2212 DSR ProSeries 2200 Peak Amps Jump Starter ($131) and the Clore JNC660 'Jump-N-Carry' 1,700 Peak Amp ($128)

The JNC660 has many more reviews with a lower percentage of negative reviews over the Schumacher. I'm sure the "list" prices on Amazon are meaningless, but the JNC660 lists for $316 while the Schumacker lists at $202

I initially thought about the Schumacher XP2260 1200 Peak Amp at $116, because it looked cool but reviews leave a lot to be desired. That JNC1224 mentioned about looks sweet, but not $400 sweet.

I'll probably be flipping a coin between the PSJ-2212 DSR and the JNC660. I like the extra power of the PSJ-2212 and it's made in Mexico (not that it is any better or worse than the made in china JNC660)

 

[metaleltr]

I am sold on JNC 660. I have on multiple occasions recently, attaching the clamps directly to the battery cables-without a battery- on my 2001 chevy blazer 4.3L, it hesitates slightly and the starts the truck using just the jump pack. I still want to try it with a v8 but i think that kind of starting power is amazing.

 

[FlameOut]

I'm leaning towards that JNC 660. I trust the reviews here more than I do on Amazon. Unfortunately I kept searching, and came across this one here The Allstart 555 which is also 1700 amp but also includes a 300 watt power inverter. I'll do a search here and see what turns up

 

[signcrafter]

I had a thread on here not to long ago about what was more important in a jump pack and most said the cold cranking amps was the number to go by. The peak amps is just that, the highest number it can reach for a second or two under ideal conditions. CCA is a more accurate number. When I was searching the JNC660 had 425 CCAs, the most I found in that price range. The others were around 300 CCAs.

 

[CJM8515]

Have used the JNC 660s for years now, they will start nearly anything besides a diesel truck. I have used one daily for going on 8 years at my various jobs doing towing/roadside (no one wants to drag cables out anymore unless you have to). The only time it will fail to jumpstart a vehicle is if the pack isnt charged, trick is once started to LEAVE the thing on there for 10 mins to recharge it and to plug it in for a full 24hrs at least once a week. I have my own personal unit that has stayed charged for 3 years now barely being used.

The newer ones my only complain is the plastic clamps are harder to put on some batteries and if its really cold and you drop it on the clamps they snap. My personal box is an older model with all metal clamps. When the battery finally dies you can purchase a new one from them or various suppliers or its possible to find the same battery elsewhere cheaper.

Hands down best overall booster pack out there for the price.If your worried about putting things on backwards-well Im sorry to say then maybe you should call a professional. ALWAYS check polarity before you start-there is no excuse!

 

[peterbilr98]

i have the snap on best iv ever had iv had several over the years price dont remember and dont care cabels are great case is great and works great

 

[FlameOut]

I just checked a Snap On to see the prices. I wouldn't mind paying more if it were made in the USA but unfortunately the one I checked is China and is identical to the JNC660. Here is the Snap On I was looking at. Curiously though, the Snap On had 4 gauge cable while the 660 has slightly heavier 2 gauge

Edit: I ended up ordering the JNC660. I had both in my cart at Amazon, and just now when checked, it was showing that the 660 dropped in price buy a few dollars, so I too that as a sign