Portable jump starter's ?

[427HISS]

I'm tired of cables.

What is the best portable jump starter's for say, under $100 ?

I thought Target & Advanced Auto had a good deal on black Friday for a Peak, but it's only 600 amps. Around $34.00 after rebate at Advanced, Amazon about the same.

I'm hoping to get a great deal with black Friday.

 

[lametec]

Not sure any of them are "better" than the others. All it is is a plastic box with a battery in it and some jumper cables attached.

If you want more capacity, the thing is going to be bigger and heavier.

Look at the Ahr rating, 'cause that's what decides the battery size. Higher Ahr=bigger battery (with more capacity).

Ignore the "max amps" junk. That's equal to the "5 hp" shop vacs. An inflated number based on some theoretical instantaneous output right before the smoke escapes from it.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I've had some up to the size you need for starting big trucks....IMO, they are not worth it unless you will use it / maintain it all the time. If they sit unused most of the time, then the battery goes bad and it's no good to you when you need it....Jumper cables / stringing out cords for a charger is more of a hassle, but they always work ....the only guys I see get their moneys worth out of a jump-box are tow truck operators or a service shop where vehicles get brought in dead fairly often.

 

[MattPersman]

Jump n carry 660 right around $130 seen then time to time for $100

Sorry it's a bit over budget but you gotta spend a little to get a good one

 

[bobcatdan]

Long before jump packs were around we build a jumper cart. Basically we get good big batteries from the junk yard. Then made up some jumper cables with battery clamps on one end and made a little cart for it. Works great in a shop enverioment. Granted this isn't the handiest thing to take to a site and therefore I have a jumperpack.

 

[autopts]

Thats not a bad price for cables. 16 ft 4 ga at Napa are about twice that. Keep the gage in mind. There are thick cables out there with 8-10 gage wire in them. I change my battery every 3 1/2 years and don't carry cables. The portable starting units have a battery about the size of a motorcycle battery and when you finally need it. Its not charged. Guys the Alternators today can't handle the draw from jumping with risking burning out the retifier inside the alternator. The next jump you give might cost you more then the guy you are jumping. Its not like the old days.

 

[sberry]

Burning up an alternator isnt anything new. I am inclined to agree about the frequency of use. If its a big labor saver then its a no brainer, a charger and I have a set of leads thru the grill of my service truck and a set on a golf cart to jump from, there are occasions I want to start but if I got a dead battery my ideal situation is to put a charger on it, restore to full.

I am on the fence, might use one more than I think.