Jumper cable recommendation

[whateg01]

Save your money on jumper cables and buy a NEW BATTERY.

I started looking at issues like this and I have gottrn rid of two sets and I don't use my other one. As a bonus, I don't have to F%^*$ around in the cold.

Where's the eye roll emoji? I bet you don't carry a spare tire either because you never have flat tires. I haven't needed to jump any of my vehicles in awhile, but I use my cables to help others in need. Guess you probably don't do that either.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Save your money on jumper cables and buy a NEW BATTERY.

I started looking at issues like this and I have gottrn rid of two sets and I don't use my other one. As a bonus, I don't have to F%^*$ around in the cold.

I use jumper cables more to help other people than myself.

 

[Ton ton]

I use jumper cables more to help other people than myself.

Same here.

 

[pelletman]

I can give you a few tips:

Welding cable, the lower the number the better,
Pure copper wire, much better than the copper coated aluminum wire.
20 feet in length, longer is better.
Special coated outer jacket, that will hold up to very cold weather.
Copper clamps, stay away from the copper coated clamps.

Things to watch out for:
Look for a number 6 or lower, again lower is better, but you will pay out the wazoo.
No matter how good the price sounds beware of the copper coated aluminum wire.
You will never know how a dead car is parked, I have seen guys struggle to go around several objects in order to jump a dead battery, long cables for sure.

I know of one company, but the cheapest price is way out of your price point, polar wire company.

It took me a long time, but I bought three used sets for myself and my two boys off of craigslist, the deals are out there. Like someone pointed out those jumper boxes do work very well, but after a few years the batteries tend to die off.

You can replace the JNC660 battery for about 50 bucks

 

[cbracer]

I could not agree more to carrying a jumper lithium battery pack. They are amazing! and they don't require another person to use. I have one in each of my cars now. Just charge it once a year. I bought NOCO boost ones and are happy with them. In fact after my brother in law saw me use it he bought one for his wife's car.

 

[GaryM909]

I bought a set of 2 gauge copper that are 30' long about 5 years ago and still haven't used them. I had a set of 20 footers that I used quite a bit mostly for helping others. I boosted a few diesel pick ups in - 35 C with no problems. The 20' ones were also 2 gauge copper that worked perfect. I had paid about $100C for them back in 2007 when our dollar was pretty much par with the US dollar. I gave them to my son since he doesn't seem to know when he should clean his battery posts.
I also have a couple hundred feet of 2/0 super flex (cold weather) welding cable I was thinking of cutting to length and buying clamps but since I haven't used the 30 footers there is no rush.

 

[DrinkMan]

I've jumped a bunch of cars with my crappy harbor freight cables. Not sure if they are 6 gauge or 8 gauge, and every time I use them, I swear I will get better ones, but every time they just work and then they coil up, go back in the original pouch and tuck neatly under the front seat of my car. Can't do that with a 20+ ft 2 or 4 gauge set.

I also don't own or care about jumping diesel trucks in sub zero temps and don't mind if a jump takes a little longer than with thick cables or a jump pack

I'm with you. I seldom have to jump a car and I have the little lithium jump pack. But one time I was helping a co-worker and he had a much bigger car than I did (I had a tiny Fiesta). I had forgotten my jump pack (left it on the charger at home). He had a set of crappy HF cables. His battery was so dead that we could not jump it (even rev'ing up the Fiesta didn't work). I felt the cables and they were hot at the clamps. I had a set of crappy HF cables in my trunk so I put them on as well (so we had 2 sets of HF cables at same time). His car started right up. 2 lightweight cables worked.

 

[seber]

I made mine with 1/0 computer wire. It is super fine filament with a thin cloth cover. They roll up really small due to extreme flexibility. That small filament doesn't need a stiff welding wire type sheath to prevent tight curves. I made these forty years ago with wire from AT&T manufacturing plant so I don't know how available it is today.

 

[jayemm]

I don't know how these fit today's prices for all copper jumper cables but they look to be serviceable for medium duty applications. Shipping is extra.

Commercial Booster Cables, 4 Gauge 20' by Deka, 00159

Commercial Booster Cables, 4 Gauge 20'

remybattery.com

 

[ajchien]

You can replace the JNC660 battery for about 50 bucks

can you link a vendor for the battery? For batteries labeled JNC, last time I looked they were around $150, unless I go to an aftermarket brand?

 

[dscheidt]

can you link a vendor for the battery? For batteries labeled JNC, last time I looked they were around $150, unless I go to an aftermarket brand?

Clore isn't in the business of making batteries. There's nothing special about the replacemnts they sell (though they probably make sure they're decent quality); any AGM batter of the right size and specs will work fine.

 

[pelletman]

can you link a vendor for the battery? For batteries labeled JNC, last time I looked they were around $150, unless I go to an aftermarket brand?

Not sure which one I bought, but it was about 50 bucks, can't find in my Amazon orders so maybe from ebay? You can buy the whole new unit for $142 right now

 

[JDR50]

Buy about 20ft of nice thick welding leads and put a couple nice heavy copper c clamps on them and you got yourself the best set of jumpers around. Can handle anything and are nice and flexible to handle without getting all stiff.

 

[pelletman]

can you link a vendor for the battery? For batteries labeled JNC, last time I looked they were around $150, unless I go to an aftermarket brand?

Here it is, pretty easy to change. I am sure I did some research when I bought this, it has been working fine

Neptune 12V 22AH IT Battery Replaces Jump N Carry JNC105, JNC110, JNC1224 691344655324 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Neptune 12V 22AH IT Battery Replaces Jump N Carry JNC105, JNC110, JNC1224 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[WWheeler]

Save your money on jumper cables and buy a NEW BATTERY. [...]

That's fine. You're just looking out for yourself.

I'll stop to help her out then.



One reason I go for 25' cables is more than once after changing a tire for someone on the highway they had their flashers on so long it wouldn't start, and gotta have cables long enough to reach with one parked in front of the other going the same direction.

 

[whateg01]

Buy about 20ft of nice thick welding leads and put a couple nice heavy copper c clamps on them and you got yourself the best set of jumpers around. Can handle anything and are nice and flexible to handle without getting all stiff.

Several vehicles I've worked on or jumped barely have enough room for the regular clamps. And I would love to see you stick a C-clamp on a side terminal battery with the little 8 mm hex head bolts

 

[Hannahranga]

Another vote for the welding lead diy jobs, absolute overkill tho. The questionable thing was sticking a 175a Anderson plug on my bullbar.

I've been fairly impressed with the little lithium jump pack I've got in my Camry but I've also not asked it to do anything hard

 

[rancherbill]

That's fine. You're just looking out for yourself.

I'll stop to help her out then.

I can't remember the last time I saw a ********* in distress since cell phones came along. People call an Uber to pick them up and then they solve the breakdown.

I can't remember seeing anybody doing roadside repairs.

 

[whateg01]

I can't remember the last time I saw a ********* in distress since cell phones came along. People call an Uber to pick them up and then they solve the breakdown.

I can't remember seeing anybody doing roadside repairs.

I stopped on the way home from NTC great mistakes back in my 20s to help 2 college girls on the side of the road in a fairly new Lincoln town car that I'm sure Mommy and Daddy bought or owned. They had a blowout and no idea what to do. Changed the tire for them, they asked for my contact info, and their parents sent me a basket for Christmas that year. I can't count the times I've stopped to help people on the side of the road or in a parking lot, even in this "dangerous" day and age. Last one was a lady, albeit not a ********* in distress, in the Dillons parking lot with a dead battery. She asked why it was dead, I suggested she get the battery and more importantly the charging system looked at because either the battery wasn't taking a charge (though it did well enough for me to jump the car with too small cables by letting the cars sit there connected for a few minutes), the contacts might need cleaned, or the alternator wasn't charging it (it did stay running after we pulled the jumper cables).

So maybe you just live in paradise where nothing ever goes wrong at the worst possible time.

 

[mike93lx]

I stopped on the way home from NTC great mistakes back in my 20s to help 2 college girls on the side of the road in a fairly new Lincoln town car that I'm sure Mommy and Daddy bought or owned. They had a blowout and no idea what to do. Changed the tire for them, they asked for my contact info, and their parents sent me a basket for Christmas that year. I can't count the times one stopped to help people on the side of the road or in a parking lot, even in this "dangerous" day and age. Last one was a lady, albeit not a ********* in distress, in the Dillons parking lot with a dead battery. She asked why it was dead, I suggested she get the battery and more importantly the charging system looked at because either the wasn't taking a charge (though it did well enough for me to jump the car with too small cables by letting the cars sit there connected for a few minutes), the contacts might need cleaned, or the alternator wasn't charging it (it did stay running after we pulled the jumper cables).

So maybe you just live in paradise where nothing ever goes wrong at the worst possible time.

Similarish one here.

I was driving down the Mass Pike (rt 90) a few years ago and saw a car two lanes over with a blow out, a young woman driving and two car seats in the back. There was nowhere to stop, so she was driving along and looked terrified. I got in front of her, threw on my hazards and slowly took the upcoming exit hoping she'd follow me. It was 90+ degree out, too.

We stopped and I got out to help. That wheel and shredded tire were at least a couple hundred degrees and thankfully I had gloves with me. Got the spare on and she was heading home in about 10 minutes.

Made me think of what would happen if that was my wife and kids.

 

[whateg01]

Last couple times I've stopped on the side of the road to help somebody, it's been because of a blowout or a tire that was flat and they didn't realize it until they were on the highway trying to go highway speeds. Both times were women. Both were on their phone. One was trying to get instructions from her husband on how to use the scissor jack. (The instructions were clearly not helping.) I was in a rental at the time so I didn't have my trolley jack so I showed her how to use it. Well, I used it as fast as I could and she watched. It was the left front and she was off the interstate on the shoulder but with only about 3 ft between the pickup and the white line I wasn't spending any more time there than necessary. The other was at the top of the ramp getting on the highway. She was on hold trying to get a tow truck to come out. Said she'd been on hold for 15 minutes. Both were extremely thankful for the help. No idea how either situation would have worked out. Maybe somebody else would have stopped and helped. Talking to others who I've helped or offered help to, not many people do stop anymore. Maybe it's the notion that it's dangerous to help others. Maybe it's the I got mine; good luck to you attitude today. Maybe it's something else. I don't always feel like I have the time to stop and help but I do try to be a good Samaritan when I can.

 

[WWheeler]

I can't remember the last time I saw a ********* in distress since cell phones came along. People call an Uber to pick them up and then they solve the breakdown.

I can't remember seeing anybody doing roadside repairs.

I live rural with a lot of people from other parts traveling though and their AAA is all but useless here. Min tow truck time is half a day. There is no Uber.

Helping stranded vehicles out here is not at all uncommon for me.

 

[Ton ton]

That's fine. You're just looking out for yourself.

I'll stop to help her out then.



One reason I go for 25' cables is more than once after changing a tire for someone on the highway they had their flashers on so long it wouldn't start, and gotta have cables long enough to reach with one parked in front of the other going the same direction.

Pure gold right here!

 

[LopezBart]

I've often stopped to help people who are stuck; sometimes on the bike but that tends to make 'em nervous , but the gray hair seems to help now . Some nice fellow called AAA for my wife when the fuel valve on our 1996 F250 died on the Oregon Coast while she was pulling a trailer, and no cell service for miles. It's like that line from Dr Who: "We're all just stories in the end, so try and make it a good one, eh?"

 

[scooby074]

I'll stop to help her out then.

Hey, I think Ive seen this movie before!

 

[geneg]

Agree on the Sears cables. Don't remember if they are Diehard but 30 years ago bought a set from Sears that are 18' , 5 gage. Only 5 gage I've ever seen. Maybe "Sears exclusive". All copper with white insulation that's still flexible. They've been good through the years but sometimes wished I'd stepped up a level and got 20' with a bit better clamps. That extra 2 feet would have been nice more than once. I believe they cost about $30 back then.

I have a set of Diehards from the early 80's. Possibly heavier than 5 gauge. (I'll have to go out & check). The insulation is white. Extremely flexible, great clamps. I even bought the zippered case for them. One of the things that never gets loaned!!!

 

[rust in the eye]

Dear Penthouse forum, I stopped on the way home from NTC great mistakes back in my 20s to help 2 college girls on the side of the road in a fairly new Lincoln town car that I'm sure Mommy and Daddy bought or owned. They had a blowout and no idea what to do................

Fixed this for you

 

[RTM]

can you link a vendor for the battery? For batteries labeled JNC, last time I looked they were around $150, unless I go to an aftermarket brand?

Here is what I put in mine. As others said, Clore doesn’t make batteries

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RST62N4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BlackBowtie]

Search Results for “jumper cables” – CE Auto Electric Supply – Automotive Electrical Solutions

ceautoelectricsupply.com

 

[whateg01]

Fixed this for you

I wish it would have been penthouse forum worthy! They weren't what I would call hot chicks, but they were cute.

 

[bob from indiana]

I made a 25foot set of 2ga cables back in the early 80s. I used good welding wire and 500 amp Neioff clamps. They did a very good job.

These days I would consider making a longer set for getting around four door trucks. My set would go around an 8 foot bed single cab pickup. I was doing many service calls in those days. They seldom get used any more.

I still have a set of Western Auto cables my Mom bought me in the late 70s. They were a birthday gift. I was in high school and had a junk car. I have replaced the clamps and they stay in my work car.

 

[pelletman]

That's fine. You're just looking out for yourself.

I'll stop to help her out then.



One reason I go for 25' cables is more than once after changing a tire for someone on the highway they had their flashers on so long it wouldn't start, and gotta have cables long enough to reach with one parked in front of the other going the same direction.

Or carry a JNC660

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I carry lithium jump packs in both of my trucks, but they aren't a replacement for jumper cables. I've had too many instances where jump packs didn't have enough *** to do the job or are dead when you go to use them. With that said, the jump packs will usually do the job to get you to the parts store to buy a battery.

 

[WWheeler]

I carry lithium jump packs in both of my trucks, but they aren't a replacement for jumper cables. I've had too many instances where jump packs didn't have enough *** to do the job or are dead when you go to use them. With that said, the jump packs will usually do the job to get you to the parts store to buy a battery.

I'm way too scared to use one any lithium battery in my vehicles any more. I had a 2000 amp NOCO Boost stored in the drawer on my 4Runner for about a year then when looking back there one summer day I noticed the batteries inside had swelled up so much it cracked the case wide open. That got me thinking about the PowerCell dashcam battery we had installed in the wife's car. Looked under the seat and sure enough, it was swelled up like a balloon too. That was well over $500 in lithium batteries that got tossed in two days and I count myself lucky that we caught them before there was a fire from one of them. I felt stupid for not even thinking about either of those batteries after having had my cellphone do exactly the same a couple years before that when I left it on the floorboard of my truck while we were swimming. All's it took each time was a >100 deg day in the sun.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'm way too scared to use one any lithium battery in my vehicles any more. I had a 2000 amp NOCO Boost stored in the drawer on my 4Runner for about a year then when looking back there one summer day I noticed the batteries inside had swelled up so much it cracked the case wide open. That got me thinking about the PowerCell dashcam battery we had installed in the wife's car. Looked under the seat and sure enough, it was swelled up like a balloon too. That was well over $500 in lithium batteries that got tossed in two days and I count myself lucky that we caught them before there was a fire from one of them. I felt stupid for not even thinking about either of those batteries after having had my cellphone do exactly the same a couple years before that when I left it on the floorboard of my truck while we were swimming. All's it took each time was a >100 deg day in the sun.

That is a good point. I actually had an old cell phone swell up while inside a drawer in my kitchen, no heat involved.

 

[Sumboodie]

Save your money on jumper cables and buy a NEW BATTERY.

I started looking at issues like this and I have gottrn rid of two sets and I don't use my other one. As a bonus, I don't have to F%^*$ around in the cold.

Plenty of times the batteries are fine, just drained.

 

[All]

I'm way too scared to use one any lithium battery in my vehicles any more. I had a 2000 amp NOCO Boost stored in the drawer on my 4Runner for about a year then when looking back there one summer day I noticed the batteries inside had swelled up so much it cracked the case wide open. That got me thinking about the PowerCell dashcam battery we had installed in the wife's car. Looked under the seat and sure enough, it was swelled up like a balloon too. That was well over $500 in lithium batteries that got tossed in two days and I count myself lucky that we caught them before there was a fire from one of them. I felt stupid for not even thinking about either of those batteries after having had my cellphone do exactly the same a couple years before that when I left it on the floorboard of my truck while we were swimming. All's it took each time was a >100 deg day in the sun.

Did you take any photos before you tossed those devices?

Even if you didn't, please take the time to report these incidents to NHTSA, since both were vehicle safety related.

I've had an Apple laptop battery swell up (years ago, when the batteries were user replaceable), but it would still have not have occurred to me to avoid installing a dash cam battery in a vehicle. I mean, that is the very purpose of a dash cam... to be inside a vehicle. And one would have a hard time arguing that a portable battery booster shouldn't be carried in a vehicle, since such a device is intended to make one self reliant when the car battery inadvertently goes dead.

More people should know about what you experienced, and NHTSA should investigate if the issue can be isolated to the specific implementations found in the exact products you had, or if there is a need for minimum (or more) safety standards to be established for all similarly purposed products in the portable battery booster and dash cam industries.

Thank you for sharing your story here.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I carry lithium jump packs in both of my trucks, but they aren't a replacement for jumper cables. I've had too many instances where jump packs didn't have enough *** to do the job or are dead when you go to use them. With that said, the jump packs will usually do the job to get you to the parts store to buy a battery.

So my words of wisdom came true today. My wife and kids went up north to a cabin this weekend with my in-laws. They went to leave this morning and my in-law's Expedition was deader than a door knob. My wife called and I reminded her we had a jump pack in the truck. It was fully charged, but it didn't have enough Whoopow! to get the starter to turn. She pulled out the jumper cables and it fired up. So, keep the jumper cables handy.

 

[whateg01]

I don't think that's how you're supposed to handle that. I believe you are supposed to tell them to spend the money to replace the battery, then wish them well was you leave.

 

[RTM]

Mine go front to back of my truck, so I can start a car behind me.

Proof of length, ran into a friend in need. He was impressed at how long it was, didn't need to move the truck.