Decent Jump Starter under $100

[i4ni]

My BIL has I believe a Schumaker he got at Costco a few years ago and it's bailed me out a couple of times when I've had a weak battery on something or another on the farm. He uses it instead of putting a new battery in his riding mower because batteries just don't last in his mower for whatever reason.
I think I researched that particular one sometime last spring but seems they don't make it anymore.
Damn sure beats jumper cables so I'm looking for a decent one under $100. Any recommendations on one that you use the **** out of? Are the ones with a compressor legit or mostly gimmick? Thanks

 

[californiamilleghia]

how many Amp do you really need ? I have seen 1000A-2000a and more

 

[WildBill]

I've had good luck with the Gooloo (I know) brand of inexpensive ones off amazon. I've used a 2000 amp one for about two years without a problem. Have jumped anything from a generator to a diesel truck with it. Even a car with a bad battery for about three months straight. A v6 Maxima, I could get about 8 jumps per charge. I have a smaller one that's about 4 years old and still working.

There are super capacitor versions now that don't have a battery to worry about, as long as the battery you need to jump has 3-4v it can charge the supercaps in a couple mins and then the device can jumpstart the car. They should last an extremely long time.

 

[i4ni]

how many Amp do you really need ? I have seen 1000A-2000a and more

Enough to start a 100 hp diesel would be nice.

I've had good luck with the Gooloo (I know) brand of inexpensive ones off amazon. I've used a 2000 amp one for about two years without a problem. Have jumped anything from a generator to a diesel truck with it. Even a car with a bad battery for about three months straight. A v6 Maxima, I could get about 8 jumps per charge. I have a smaller one that's about 4 years old and still working.

There are super capacitor versions now that don't have a battery to worry about, as long as the battery you need to jump has 3-4v it can charge the supercaps in a couple mins and then the device can jumpstart the car. They should last an extremely long time.

I'll check out the Gooloo line you mentioned better. I gave them a quick look and they come in at a much better price point than the equivalent Noco.
I use to think these things were a big joke, rather short lived and not very dependable at crunch time so I never gave them much thought before. Battery technology has come a looong way to improve these things although chi-com electronics are still a big question mark so with that said realisticly they are still basicly a consumable. That said at $100 a Gooloo looks pretty good. Thanks

 

[BrandonV]

There are super capacitor versions now that don't have a battery to worry about, as long as the battery you need to jump has 3-4v it can charge the supercaps in a couple mins and then the device can jumpstart the car. They should last an extremely long time.

I've tried 2-3 of the supercapacitor models since storing lithium batteries in a hot Arizona car is somewhat sketchy. They're IMO not worth it. A lot of dead batteries I encountered even with a charge from a good vehicle it wouldn't even budge the starter. They're really designed for the situation when the battery is ever so slightly discharged enough not to start the vehicle.

My BIL has I believe a Schumaker he got at Costco a few years ago and it's bailed me out a couple of times when I've had a weak battery on something or another on the farm. He uses it instead of putting a new battery in his riding mower because batteries just don't last in his mower for whatever reason.
I think I researched that particular one sometime last spring but seems they don't make it anymore.
Damn sure beats jumper cables so I'm looking for a decent one under $100. Any recommendations on one that you use the **** out of? Are the ones with a compressor legit or mostly gimmick? Thanks

I've used Noco, Weego, and the Viking from HF all with great success. Even the model they sell now at Costco is good.

 

[i4ni]

Thanks. I put a Jumper on my Xmas list

 

[Blue]

Got a Noco lithium battery pack from Amazon for $100. Had been thinking about it here and there, and this thread prompted my to pull the trigger.

I'm impressed. Charges from a USB port, and is really small (roughly the size of a book, give or take). Came with it's own fabric carrying bag, and includes an integrated light.

I figured for that kind of money, why not. I have a second car that doesn't get used much. I really intend to drive it at least once every week or so, but life inevitably gets in the way. After it sat for a couple months this Fall, the car didn't want to crank one cold evening. Called AAA, and they jumped it easily with their own small battery pack, so figured it was a no brainer to get my own.

Stored it in the backseat, figured it's cheap insurance.

 

[i4ni]

Got a Noco lithium battery pack from Amazon for $100. Had been thinking about it here and there, and this thread prompted my to pull the trigger.

I'm impressed. Charges from a USB port, and is really small (roughly the size of a book, give or take). Came with it's own fabric carrying bag, and includes an integrated light.

I figured for that kind of money, why not. I have a second car that doesn't get used much. I really intend to drive it at least once every week or so, but life inevitably gets in the way. After it sat for a couple months this Fall, the car didn't want to crank one cold evening. Called AAA, and they jumped it easily with their own small battery pack, so figured it was a no brainer to get my own.

Stored it in the backseat, figured it's cheap insurance.

I'm still waiting to get one but I've read that when stored in a car in hot summer the heat is hard on them. Of course thats hardly the case in December lol

 

[RegeSullivan]

Project Farm on YouTube did a pretty good review recently and a few years ago...

 

[PCustoms]

I've had a noco for a few years now, started several trucks that would not jump (figured bad jumper cables).

Just bought a current one last month for a gift, $100 and rated for 6L gas IIRC

 

[Sumboodie]

Jump and Carry 600 or 12/24.
Have used mine to start a 3306 CAT in a 977. It's an engine that needs to crank a good minute or two before it'll start.

The lithium ones don't work well in the cold.