help me chose mini jump starter
- Thread starter zach79
- Start date
Vegaman_Dan
Well-known member
I love these jump boxes. I don't bother with jumper cables anymore and I find myself doing jump starts for other people about 10x to doing one for myself. They are just too handy.
What to look for? Good cable and clamp storage. Same for the air hose. If you're fighting those when stored or pulling them out, you'll never have a good experience. I like the Black and Decker units, but there's so many new designs coming out and old ones retired that it's hard to really point at one and say "THAT ONE."
How does it charge? Dual charging is ideal. If you can plug an extension cord into it without the need for a wall wart, all the better. If it has DC on board charging from a power accessory plug in your vehicle, even nicer. I keep one of mine always plugged into an auxillary circuit to keep it charged and ready at a moment's notice.
USB is nice, but mostly a gimmick. Don't get me wrong, it works, but there are better charging solutions that are smaller, faster, and better.
Most use a small gel cel or motorcycle battery. Don't worry about it dying- they are cheap to replace later.
Good clamps. Good solid easy to work with clamps that grab terminals or metal are important. Weak things that slip will make your life frustrating.
Custom colors and racing graphics. Because we all know adding a Type R sticker to the charger will make it go faster, right?
What to look for? Good cable and clamp storage. Same for the air hose. If you're fighting those when stored or pulling them out, you'll never have a good experience. I like the Black and Decker units, but there's so many new designs coming out and old ones retired that it's hard to really point at one and say "THAT ONE."
How does it charge? Dual charging is ideal. If you can plug an extension cord into it without the need for a wall wart, all the better. If it has DC on board charging from a power accessory plug in your vehicle, even nicer. I keep one of mine always plugged into an auxillary circuit to keep it charged and ready at a moment's notice.
USB is nice, but mostly a gimmick. Don't get me wrong, it works, but there are better charging solutions that are smaller, faster, and better.
Most use a small gel cel or motorcycle battery. Don't worry about it dying- they are cheap to replace later.
Good clamps. Good solid easy to work with clamps that grab terminals or metal are important. Weak things that slip will make your life frustrating.
Custom colors and racing graphics. Because we all know adding a Type R sticker to the charger will make it go faster, right?
evildky
Well-known member
I had a jumpbox, couldn't tell you the brand, the clamps were plastic and broke one winter, I replaced them with metal clamps and used it for a few more years until it quit taking a charge. Recently bought a "power pack" 30,000 mah, come with battery clamps phone and laptop adapters as well as usb outs. Have used it a few times, it's very light, very compact and does the same job as the jump box but way smaller lighter and more flexible. The one problem is you can't leave these things hooked up to a car after jumping it or the battery in it will overcharge and car catch fire (actually mine appears to have some sort of circuit breaker inline but I aim to not find out). Matco I believe now sells themw ith a small lcd screen and probably more safety features.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What is the status of your current battery and all associated connections?
Do you currently have a battery charger / trickle charger / maintainer?
A few previous threads you may find of interest.
Mini Jump Starter
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248634
Mini Jump Starter
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281490
Do you currently have a battery charger / trickle charger / maintainer?
A few previous threads you may find of interest.
Mini Jump Starter
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248634
Mini Jump Starter
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281490
Thanks @evildky
the one you described sounds great. If you could remember the name it would be useful
@LB-1911 thanks man! I will do a research of these topics you mentioned
I dont have any kind of battery charger or booster and i had some unpleasant surprises with dead battery so that is why I want prepare my self for winter
the one you described sounds great. If you could remember the name it would be useful
@LB-1911 thanks man! I will do a research of these topics you mentioned
I dont have any kind of battery charger or booster and i had some unpleasant surprises with dead battery so that is why I want prepare my self for winter
Last edited: