Car Battery Charger, Maintainer & Jump Starter ?

[427HISS]

I've worked on cars and built a few, for most my life. I've learned most mechanicals from reading, watching videos, from friends help and of course, by mistakes. I did go through auto body school, raced sprint cars, built a Pro-Street Camaro at 18 and built my 427 Shelby Cobra in 2001.

But, I've never trained in electronics, so working on home electronics, cars, etc. I hate it as I don't understand it. That being said, my wifes Chrysler 300M battery dies and we were shocked,...on the price on a new one. I swear that the older open type of battery that you removed the caps to add water, and could even add a bottle of acid if needed, lasted and worked much better than the sealed ones today. Even better than the ones by OPTIMA.

My 30 yr. old Schumacher charger just died.
So, I need a charger, maintainer and a jump starter or a combo.

I was looking at videos and one guy said to buy this $400 charger.
lol,...nope !

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MVAX3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My neighbor has a jump start battery that worked well on his absolute dead, battery. When I get my new Cobra engine finished, I'll need a new battery, and since it's not a daily driver, I want a maintainer.

What's your wallet safe,...recommendations ?

 

[DuratecMan10]

The JNC770 is a great battery charger. A single charge lasts 12-15 jumps on most cars, suv's and vans and 8 jumps for semi and large diesel trucks. Around $150 new, $70 used. HF has their version I think it's $90? new.

For vehicles that are gonna be parked overnight in the shop, I use a Battery Tender Jr. 750mah plug in charger. I use that on personal and work vehicles and it's worked on everything from a Yaris to a 3500. The gator clips are quite small but they fit on and it gets the job done. About $40-$50 new, $20 used. Worth every penny IMHO.


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[Showkey]

Buy a *quality “Smart” charger maintainer ..........

BUY a *quality jump pack for portable jump use.........

Money ahead and flexibility to get multiple jobs done.


*Quality is the key word.

 

[427HISS]

Buy a *quality “Smart” charger maintainer ..........

BUY a *quality jump pack for portable jump use.........

Money ahead and flexibility to get multiple jobs done.


*Quality is the key word.

What brands ?

 

[427HISS]

The JNC770 is a great battery charger. A single charge lasts 12-15 jumps on most cars, suv's and vans and 8 jumps for semi and large diesel trucks. Around $150 new, $70 used. HF has their version I think it's $90? new.

For vehicles that are gonna be parked overnight in the shop, I use a Battery Tender Jr. 750mah plug in charger. I use that on personal and work vehicles and it's worked on everything from a Yaris to a 3500. The gator clips are quite small but they fit on and it gets the job done. About $40-$50 new, $20 used. Worth every penny IMHO.


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Which manufacture is the JNC770 ?

 

[DuratecMan10]

Which manufacture is the JNC770 ?

Jump N Carry is the brand for the JNC770. I think they sell a smaller cheaper one as well.


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[427HISS]

Oh,...I thought it was just a type of charger. lol

With that type, how fast will it charge up, to be able to start a dead battery ?
I mean, you won't leave the charger plugged in 24/7 just in case you need it ?

 

[427HISS]

I can't believe this little unit will start a diesel and gas engine, plus a phone etc. ?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015TKUPIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Showkey]

Smart chargers..........CTEK, Accumate , Optimate there are others. Some manufacturers sell chargers at multiple price points.

Jump Packs...............one problem quality is all over the board. So are the pricees. Some internet sellers have had problems with counterfeit of the quality brands.

Link to a jump pack test review:

One problem with the above test......the jump packs are NOT designed to work in sub zero battery Pack temperatures. Also the review does not test some of the name brands.
I have two “authentic” Anti Gravity packs and two packs from Costco.......all have worked well.

https://antigravitybatteries.com/pr...ZHmOuzQsdxXChAvBbh8q1vl3JZAsd3PRoCLq4QAvD_BwE

Sealed Lead acid jump pack is another choice. I have one for an RV with built in compressor for tire inflation.

 

[Fuelboat]

Just got a NOCO GB70 to replace my 5 year old Black and Decker. GB70 has way more power and features than the old one.

 

[johninct]

I think you need 3 separate items. A Jumper pack to jump start something. A maintainer to keep batteries charged and an old school battery charger to charge a really, really dead battery. Since I bought battery maintainers, I have not touched my old school battery charger in 5 years.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Buy a *quality “Smart” charger maintainer ..........

Does anybody still sell a stupid charger?

I have a far-in-the-future project to make an SCR bridge and convert an old buzz box to a stupid charger, but that's far in the future.

 

[Ton ton]

Those Noco 's are awesome if you can find them for a reasonable price. I saw one in action.

 

[RTM]

Does anybody still sell a stupid charger?

Garage sales. I got a friend one for electrolysis work.

 

[Crabman]

427

For vehicles that are gonna be parked overnight in the shop, I use a Battery Tender Jr. 750mah plug in charger

I have a couple of these and use them on everything from my lawn tractor to my "68 427 Impala, very nice units, never had a problem with overcharging.

There are some threads on GJ about the jumper packs. I have the NOCO GB40, which has worked well for me up to 5.7 gas boat engine. It does not like a totally dead battery. My experience is if totally dead, you need to charge it up a bit before jumping with the GB40. The other GJ threads seem to favor the GB50, the GB70 mentioned above by Fuelboat is, I bet, a much stronger unit than mine.

If you stay after the trickle charger, you should not need a bigger charger too often. I have a Battery Tender 3 amp that works great, although not as fast as bigger units.

All these go on sale from time to time, Woot was running deals on NOCO's for a good while. Watch the Hot Deals threads on GJ or slickdeals.

The JNC770 seems to be revered by most, it is really a commercial unit, albeit at a higher price point.

Good luck finding a good fit.

Bruce

 

[427HISS]

Jump N Carry is the brand for the JNC770. I think they sell a smaller cheaper one as well.


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Hi, when you need to charge up this devise, how long will the charge last ?
I mean, you don't want to keep it charged 24/7, 365, just in case your car battery dies on any day, winter/summer ?

 

[JiminAZ]

I went through this recently. Bought a CTEXK 7 amp smart charger which I was impressed enough with to eventually buy the 25 amp model when the camels told me the price was right.

And I bought a jump pack.

 

[IndyGarage]

You will not be disappointed with the JNC770. I have started everything from a Diesel truck to a tractor to boats, and a car with no battery. I've literally used it hundreds of times and have it in my pickup all the time.

That's one purchase I don't have a single regret over.

 

[DuratecMan10]

Hi, when you need to charge up this devise, how long will the charge last ?
I mean, you don't want to keep it charged 24/7, 365, just in case your car battery dies on any day, winter/summer ?

Hi. A single charge usually lasts a long while and will get around a dozen or more jumpstarts out of one charge. I'd charge it once and leave it if you don't plan on using it everyday. It'll stay charged up and won't affect anything.


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[theoldwizard1]

My 30 yr. old Schumacher charger just died.
So, I need a charger, maintainer and a jump starter or a combo.

Schumacher still makes a decent charger. There "start boost" is kind of a joke, but more later. You can find them very economically price at Walmart and other stores.

Hint, if you want to use any charger/maintainer for long term (more than a week) battery storage, buy a cheap mechanical lamp timer. Set it to run no more than about 4 hours per day.

Jump starting, either get a Jump-N-Carry or one of the newer Lithium jump starters. The problem with those is there are so many to choose from, it is hard to know which are any good. Check out as many review online as possible.

 

[Tallpilot]

I think you need 3 separate items. A Jumper pack to jump start something. A maintainer to keep batteries charged and an old school battery charger to charge a really, really dead battery. Since I bought battery maintainers, I have not touched my old school battery charger in 5 years.

This is mostly true although some smart chargers have a recovery mode. I agree that you need a jump pack to carry with you and a charger/maintainer at home.

I like this device for both charging and as a stable power source when using a scan tool. Mac rebrands it for twice the money.

https://cloreautomotive.com/product/pl2320/

I like the 660 because I think the cables are better but the 770 is fine too. There is a reason these are on most tow trucks.

https://cloreautomotive.com/product/jnc660/

Shop around for the best price. But be careful of part numbers.

 

[DuratecMan10]

Auto Meter makes a multi-use booster pack, too. Didn't know.



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[IndyGarage]

T
I like the 660 because I think the cables are better but the 770 is fine too. There is a reason these are on most tow trucks.

Actually I think the cables on the 770 are better - they are definitely longer, which seems better to me.

The clamps are different - 660 has conventional straight clamps, 770 has these funky bent clamps - Which have also worked fine for me. I think I remember reading the 770 has an upgraded charger, which means it charges slightly faster.

I personally would pay the $20 or so for the upgrade from the 660 to the 770, but the battery inside is the same, so they both should work fine.

 

[Tallpilot]

Actually I think the cables on the 770 are better - they are definitely longer, which seems better to me.

The clamps are different - 660 has conventional straight clamps, 770 has these funky bent clamps - Which have also worked fine for me. I think I remember reading the 770 has an upgraded charger, which means it charges slightly faster.

I personally would pay the $20 or so for the upgrade from the 660 to the 770, but the battery inside is the same, so they both should work fine.

When we last discussed this it was about the way the clamps attached to the cables. The 770 uses a less robust method. But in anything but the most demanding environment that probably doesn't matter.

The 770 does have an off switch so you don't need a cover for it. When I bought mine it was a $50 difference so it was cheaper even after buying the cover. If it's only $20 now maybe that tips the scale.

 

[IndyGarage]

When we last discussed this it was about the way the clamps attached to the cables. The 770 uses a less robust method. But in anything but the most demanding environment that probably doesn't matter.

The 770 does have an off switch so you don't need a cover for it. When I bought mine it was a $50 difference so it was cheaper even after buying the cover. If it's only $20 now maybe that tips the scale.

I do recall that. Somebody thought the clamps on the 660 were better made. I can tell you I've used my 770 literally hundreds of times over 4 years or so I've had it and it works as good as new.

 

[BolognaBlake]

I will second any of the Jump-n-carry boosters. I have the JNC 660 it'll jump start any of the powerstrokes at the house.

 

[427HISS]

I'll throw in this brand, recommended by a funny guy I've been watching his video channel on youtube. He's a long time mechanic and reviews automotive products and does not get paid by any tool company's. He tells you exactly what he thinks. He hates the older acid battery starter packs as they don't last.

Here's his jump starter brand.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H58NP77/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[427HISS]

Here the same guy talking about a super capacitor starter. What do you think about this technology and it's use over a battery starter ?

"The Best Car Jump Starter in the World and Why"

autowit 12V Portable Batteryless Car Jump Starter, Supercap Booster Pack (for 5.0L Gas/3.0L Diesel Engine), 700A Peak /600A Instant, Supersafety, Orange

Amazon- $130

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F8MJW8W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[trim]

For maintainers, check out the Battery Minder brand. They include a desulfation mode that will make your battery last longer. Just having a tender on it will increase the life, the desulfation process will extend the life even more. They have all of the info on their website.

 

[427HISS]

I agree, Thank you.

 

[anndel]

I do recall that. Somebody thought the clamps on the 660 were better made. I can tell you I've used my 770 literally hundreds of times over 4 years or so I've had it and it works as good as new.

I have both, the 660 sits at the shop and the 770 sits at home. I've used both and they do their job very well. I use the cigarette lighter outlet on both to keep the memory alive.

 

[IndyGarage]

For maintainers, check out the Battery Minder brand. They include a desulfation mode that will make your battery last longer. Just having a tender on it will increase the life, the desulfation process will extend the life even more. They have all of the info on their website.

I've got several battery minders and several battery tenders - honestly I've never seen a difference between them. Yeah they claim desulfation, but I have not ever seen any improvement in a battery with one. One time I used one on a weak battery for months - no difference.

 

[427HISS]

I'm taking my time and researching starters. I'll buy a tender later.
We have returned in the saltwater reef & fish hobby, and I'm tired of buying total pieces of ****. I'm sure I'll buy one that you guys have used. I need to make a decision on either the Jump in carry or the small power pack. The tire inflated I think are just to weak to use.

 

[427HISS]

I'm rather excited on a technological advancement in starting batteries, that I've not heard about before. The capacitor system, so I'm going to try one.

Like I said, the other types with the on-board battery needs to be charged to start the car. The lithium battery when fully charged will have a lot more shelf charge versus the acid battery, but still, if it sits for weeks, months or even a year, you'd need to charge before starting a dead battery.

So, I'd like your opinions one a few different brands, pro's & con's, your insight searching for the best deals.

Schumacher DSR109 DSR Pro Series 12V 800A DOE Jump Starter.

Video-

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZZD2YB/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Like above, here's the Autowit-

autowit 12V Portable Batteryless Car Jump Starter, Supercap Booster Pack (for 5.0L Gas/3.0L Diesel Engine), 700A Peak /600A Instant, Supersafety, Orange

Amazon- $130

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZZD2YB/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Have to shut down now, but I'll be back and post more brands.
Please post your findings as well.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've had the worst luck with Schumacher - One of their chargers blew up my boat battery and almost burned my vacation house down. It was total ****. I bought one of their jump boxes - it was junk.

They might make some good stuff, I just haven't experienced it.

My JNC 770 has sat months without use, then works fine. Seriously if you want a jump box - don't look any further. Pick up a JNC 660 or 770 and be done with it.

 

[toolenthusiast]

Hint, if you want to use any charger/maintainer for long term (more than a week) battery storage, buy a cheap mechanical lamp timer. Set it to run no more than about 4 hours per day.

You’re specifically NOT supposed to do that, because it will re-start the charging cycle every day and you’ll never reach the “maintenance” or “top-off” part of the cycle.

 

[Tallpilot]

I've had the worst luck with Schumacher - One of their chargers blew up my boat battery and almost burned my vacation house down. It was total ****. I bought one of their jump boxes - it was junk.

They might make some good stuff, I just haven't experienced it.

My JNC 770 has sat months without use, then works fine. Seriously if you want a jump box - don't look any further. Pick up a JNC 660 or 770 and be done with it.

As far as I can tell Schumacher was once a decent company but through years of 'value engineering' have reduced their products to barely above junk.

 

[427HISS]

Really, that *****.

 

[427HISS]

"My JNC 770 has sat months without use, then works fine. Seriously if you want a jump box - don't look any further. Pick up a JNC 660 or 770 and be done with it.[/QUOTE]''

The biggest problem I have with these types, is having to keep the onboard battery charged, if you don't, then when you need to jump your car you'll have to wait until it's charged to jump the car battery.

 

[mfewtrail]

The biggest problem I have with these types, is having to keep the onboard battery charged, if you don't, then when you need to jump your car you'll have to wait until it's charged to jump the car battery.

Almost everyone has a smartphone these days: Set a reminder on it once a month to remind you to charge your jump pack.