What jump starters do you guys like

[cgrutt]

Moved docks this year with no access to power. Usually no problem starting boat up but have had to jump start it a few times over the years. So I picked up a Duralast 900 Peak Amps at local Autozone. Opened it up and it looks really cheaply made. Wires are really small, on/off switch is very flimsy. It was about $90. Returning it tomorrow.

I just ordered a Schumacher PSJ-3612 which seems much better. 55" 2GA cables, copper jaws, 440 CCA and 3600 Peak Amps. Zoro had it for about $250 with free shipping. I also used a 20% coupon, so about $200 before tax. Haven't received it so have no idea if quality will be better but based on description it seems so. Hope so anyway, LOL...

Anybody have any experience with either of these? Any other brands to look at. It's going to be one of those glad to have it if I need it sort of things but don't really expect to use it that often (although I'll keep it charged and carry it weekly over the summer).

Thanks!

 

[one9gt]

JNC660, had mine for 5+ years no issue


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[cgrutt]

Yeah, I was looking at that one too. Looks pretty solid. Amps are on lower end though, which is why I ordered the Schumacher.

 

[kctyphoon]

If I were to buy another one for home, that wasn't a small lithuim model (many people swear by them), it would be this.. It isn't 1000 "peak" amps, which is actually a 500 amp model... This is really a 1000 amp jump pack


http://www.homedepot.com/p/CAT-1000-Amp-Pro-Portable-Jump-Starter-CJ3000/205431815

 

[94EG8]

I work for a collision shop, we have to boost a lot of cars so we've bought a lot of booster packs over the years. JNC660 is the real deal. There is a larger JNC model as well if you need something bigger but I haven't used it.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I've had one of the Schumachers in a shop and wasn't impressed by it. Had several JNC660s, and as stated, they are in fact good isht. Also look at the actual CA rating... 470 for the PSJ, 425 for the JNC. Nowhere near the crevasse the "3600 peak amps!" would have you think.

That said, I bought a pair of Noco lithium boxes this winter, their small GB40 (about 2/3 the size of a carton of smokes) and a bigger GB70. The small one is for my wife's car and/or taking on the jetski, the GB70 is fpr my truck and everything else. Both will start my little D722 Kubota diesel, it saps the small one pretty good, but the bigger one doesn't even seem to notice it. I have no doubt it could start a small block with a battery of almost any state of dead... although why you'd actually take the boat out if it were beyond a bit low is beyond me.

Time will tell on lifespan though... I know the JNC can be rebuilt with about $50 in gel cells, IIRC the PSJ is one larger battery instead.

 

[CutterFarms]

EEJP500iCAMO, have been using this in farm equipment and welders for years with great luck.

 

[anndel]

JNC 660 +infinite...had mine for 2 years and no issues.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks guys. I have to check out those lithium ones. I have a big block. Usually run through a set of batteries every 3-4 years. The batteries I have now are on their second season. The issue is a bilge pump can be running during the week and run a battery down. I have two batteries and bilge is only hooked up to one of them, so it's generally just a matter of switching over to the second battery to get it started and then switch to both to charge them back up. Never had a problem getting stuck on the water with a dead battery in past 20 years. Have had to jump start the boat a handful of times over the years though. Wasn't a problem at my old dock because I had shore power. This new dock has no power source so just looking for a back up for the back up, LOL...

I'm sure all the ones you guys mentioned above would fit the bill. I'll check out the Schumacher when I get it and if I don't like it will send it back.

Thanks again.

 

[bert1913]

JNC 660 will jump a completely dead battery

 

[Finky198]

Agreed ^^^ and I will go as far as saying it will start a car/truck without a battery...

ask me how I know... lol

I've had a Jnc 950 for 6+ years now. It has never ever failed to start a vehicle or piece of equipment. I don't think I'd even consider another brand... They do exactly what they're intended to do, at a competitive price, they're built like a tanks and simplistic (i.e. Very few parts so less of a chance of failures)

 

[Jarhead0408]

I have two JNCAIR's which are the JNC 660 with a built in air compressor.

Love 'em. I've used them 3 times in the past week and a half. Once on a mower, once on a spare car of mine, and once on someone else's car.

You won't regret buying one. I actually want to pick up a third one to keep in the shop. The two that I have now are split between my wife's daily driver and mine.

 

[FigureItOut]

It isn't 1000 "peak" amps, which is actually a 500 amp model... This is really a 1000 amp jump pack


http://www.homedepot.com/p/CAT-1000-Amp-Pro-Portable-Jump-Starter-CJ3000/205431815

Yeah, I was looking at that one too. Looks pretty solid. Amps are on lower end though, which is why I ordered the Schumacher.

A couple things I always like to clarify when jump boxes are discussed. You must compare apples to apples here. There are only two numbers which should ever be considered reliable regarding amperage, and it's easiest just to use one, CCA.

CA, cranking amps, and CCA, cold cranking amps, are officially defined and verified by a third party. Peak amperage and whatever other fluffy number is marketed can be ignored, as manufacturers are free to use whatever methodology they wish to determine it.

So, the 1000 CA Cat box at Home Depot can't be compared side by side to the 660 CCA JNC, and the 440 CCA Schumacher box that OP ordered is not a more powerful starting battery than the JNC660, regardless of its stated peak amps.

CCA is measured at 0°F, while CA is measured at 32°F. The amp rating is the number of amps the battery can deliver at the specified temperature, for 30 seconds, while maintaining at least 1.2 volts in each cell.

The battery council international, the trade group that defines these terms, mandates that batteries with any rating also include the CCA rating. This isn't legally enforceable, but any battery that doesn't indicate the CCA rating, omits it for a reason.

Clore puts the CCA rating in huge numbers on the front of every JNC, indeed the model number indicates the CCA rating, and you'll find the less important peak amps and CA buried in the specs. The Clore JNC and their other lines of jumpers are by far the most commonly seen jumpers in any professional setting, emergency services, and anywhere that reliability and performance are crucial. There is a reason for that.

All that said, the Schumacher PRO SERIES are pretty good boxes, and I own two among the 7 jump boxes that I own. There's also 3 Clores, a HF that performs nicely, and a Black and Decker that I've rebuilt with a stronger battery and bigger clamps and wires.

I have no experience with the lithium boxes and I likely never will.





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[Pwaley]

JNC sounds like a good model/brand. I shall do more research.

 

[Farmall 1066]

JNC is the only brand worth considering, IMHO.

 

[FigureItOut]

JNC is the only brand worth considering, IMHO.

Agreed, well JNC and the other less common Clore brands. JNC is their "Blue Point".

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[HOTFR8]

I have a Booster Pac ES 3000.

Would be about 20 years old and it is still good.

 

[tank4114]

A large quality battery on a trolley with a good set of leads and if you need 24v just add a second battery wire it up with a switch to change between 12/24v and a smart charger to keep them topped up when your not using it best jumper you will ever have

 

[HOTFR8]

In this topic
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306814&showall=1
nearly all the MACK trucks that get restored here get one of these fitted.

Allows them to use a Caterpillar jump start.

 

[cgrutt]

A couple things I always like to clarify when jump boxes are discussed. You must compare apples to apples here. There are only two numbers which should ever be considered reliable regarding amperage, and it's easiest just to use one, CCA.

CA, cranking amps, and CCA, cold cranking amps, are officially defined and verified by a third party. Peak amperage and whatever other fluffy number is marketed can be ignored, as manufacturers are free to use whatever methodology they wish to determine it.

So, the 1000 CA Cat box at Home Depot can't be compared side by side to the 660 CCA JNC, and the 440 CCA Schumacher box that OP ordered is not a more powerful starting battery than the JNC660, regardless of its stated peak amps.

CCA is measured at 0°F, while CA is measured at 32°F. The amp rating is the number of amps the battery can deliver at the specified temperature, for 30 seconds, while maintaining at least 1.2 volts in each cell.

The battery council international, the trade group that defines these terms, mandates that batteries with any rating also include the CCA rating. This isn't legally enforceable, but any battery that doesn't indicate the CCA rating, omits it for a reason.

Clore puts the CCA rating in huge numbers on the front of every JNC, indeed the model number indicates the CCA rating, and you'll find the less important peak amps and CA buried in the specs. The Clore JNC and their other lines of jumpers are by far the most commonly seen jumpers in any professional setting, emergency services, and anywhere that reliability and performance are crucial. There is a reason for that.

All that said, the Schumacher PRO SERIES are pretty good boxes, and I own two among the 7 jump boxes that I own. There's also 3 Clores, a HF that performs nicely, and a Black and Decker that I've rebuilt with a stronger battery and bigger clamps and wires.

I have no experience with the lithium boxes and I likely never will.





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I'm sure the Clore is a great box and probably would have ordered it if Zoro carried it. I don't think the model number means CCA. I looked on Clore's website and can't seem to find CCA disclosed. For the JNC660 they state 425 Cranking Amps and 1700 Peak Amps. Wouldn't CCA always be lower than CA if it's measuring same thing at lower temperature? Note, Clore also sells a JNC1224, which happens to be 12V and 24V ("1224"), so I'm pretty sure model number has nothing to do with CCA.

The Schumacher box that I ordered is their Pro-Series box. They state CCA at 385, CA at 470 and Peak Amps at 3600. It is also CEC compliant (Clore sells a JNC660C that is CEC compliant). It has 2 18AHr AGM batteries. If nothing else, I think I prefer it over the JNC660 because the cables 9" longer. My batteries are pretty low in the hull of my boat and I have to reach down over the rear seat to access them and longer cables will definitely help. But apples to apples, isn't the correct comparison between the two models 470 CA to 425 CA as stated by manufacturer? It seems the Schumacher is in fact more powerful. It also costs nearly twice as much (normal retail price of each) as the Clore, so I hope that is the case.

 

[cgrutt]

In this topic
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306814&showall=1
nearly all the MACK trucks that get restored here get one of these fitted.

Allows them to use a Caterpillar jump start.

Yeah, that would be helpful in my application. Do they sell the mating end separately? Esp, because I need power to access the batteries, LOL. Fortunately, batteries have never been so dead that I couldn't get engine compartment opened up though

 

[cgrutt]

A large quality battery on a trolley with a good set of leads and if you need 24v just add a second battery wire it up with a switch to change between 12/24v and a smart charger to keep them topped up when your not using it best jumper you will ever have

"best" is obviously a relative term, LOL. Yeah, it might be best at delivering raw power but certainly at bottom of list in terms of access. I've got a pretty good trek through the woods after a 2 1/2 HR drive to get to my boat. No way I'd choose this over a portable pack

 

[bobcatdan]

In the shop, this works really well. Out on the road, I have a SO jump pack.

 

[FigureItOut]

I'm sure the Clore is a great box and probably would have ordered it if Zoro carried it. I don't think the model number means CCA. I looked on Clore's website and can't seem to find CCA disclosed. For the JNC660 they state 425 Cranking Amps and 1700 Peak Amps. Wouldn't CCA always be lower than CA if it's measuring same thing at lower temperature? Note, Clore also sells a JNC1224, which happens to be 12V and 24V ("1224"), so I'm pretty sure model number has nothing to do with CCA.

The Schumacher box that I ordered is their Pro-Series box. They state CCA at 385, CA at 470 and Peak Amps at 3600. It is also CEC compliant (Clore sells a JNC660C that is CEC compliant). It has 2 18AHr AGM batteries. If nothing else, I think I prefer it over the JNC660 because the cables 9" longer. My batteries are pretty low in the hull of my boat and I have to reach down over the rear seat to access them and longer cables will definitely help. But apples to apples, isn't the correct comparison between the two models 470 CA to 425 CA as stated by manufacturer? It seems the Schumacher is in fact more powerful. It also costs nearly twice as much (normal retail price of each) as the Clore, so I hope that is the case.

I seem to have sputtered on for a couple paragraphs with some completely wrong information. I knew that not every model number was the CCA, like the 1224 you mentioned, but I'm convinced that when I researched these a while back the core models, the 660 and 950 were in fact rated at those numbers in CCA. Perhaps I was mistaken then also, or it's been changed. I'm glad you did have the correct info when you made your decision.




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[nes999]

My personal favorites are Micro Start. . I use the XP-10 (209 dollars) however if you aren't planning to start big diesel motors you can save quite a bit of coin and get one of their other models. I really like how small they are.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

We have some 24V machines, so I got a duel voltage version of this for the shop about 1 1/2 years ago (not actual box, only pic I could find):


So far, it has started everything on the yard up to big-bore class 8's even in well bellow freezing temps....I'm just glad it was the companies dime and not mine!

 

[cgrutt]

My personal favorites are Micro Start. . I use the XP-10 (209 dollars) however if you aren't planning to start big diesel motors you can save quite a bit of coin and get one of their other models. I really like how small they are.

Wow, that will start a big diesel? Smaller is definitely better for me if it will jump start the boat. Its not a diesel or uber high compression but it is a pretty large motor. The batteries are pretty large too. If this works reliably I might send the one I ordered back. Thanks!

 

[LB-1911]

My personal favorites are Micro Start. . I use the XP-10 (209 dollars) however if you aren't planning to start big diesel motors you can save quite a bit of coin and get one of their other models. I really like how small they are.

Wow, that will start a big diesel? Smaller is definitely better for me if it will jump start the boat. Its not a diesel or uber high compression but it is a pretty large motor. The batteries are pretty large too. If this works reliably I might send the one I ordered back. Thanks!

A couple of previous threads-

Anyone own a modern lithium jumpstart battery pack?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320751

Mini Jump Starter
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281490

Lithium Emergency Start Battery
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265391

Astro Pneumatic 12V Portable Power Supply and Emergency Jump Starter Kit
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252518


Have you considered a solar trickle charger / maintainer in conjunction w/the jump pac?
One of several sources;
http://www.batterytender.com/Products-List/

 

[Zynster]

We have some 24V machines, so I got a duel voltage version of this for the shop about 1 1/2 years ago (not actual box, only pic I could find):


So far, it has started everything on the yard up to big-bore class 8's even in well bellow freezing temps....I'm just glad it was the companies dime and not mine!

The 24V version of that one is very nice.....just remember with any jumppack with a manual on off switch.

Don't touch the leads together while live lol.....you might melt internals or fry something. Also never leave a unit hooked up to a car......you wouldn't want a big rig alternator charging the battery inside one of those units.....it might......expand a little XD

 

[bp460]

JNC 660

-Brad

 

[Finky198]

The website says the jnc 950 is rated at 700 cranking amps but then under the specs it says 925 (12volt) cranking amps. All I know is it work very well...

 

[cgrutt]

Schumacher came today. It seems like a beast. A little bigger than I expected but seems very well made and easy to use. No frills, just an on/off switch and voltage/% charged readout. Terminals and wire are very heavy duty. Has an internal fan that goes on while it's charging. I think I'll keep this one.

 

[HOTFR8]

Yeah, that would be helpful in my application. Do they sell the mating end separately? Esp, because I need power to access the batteries, LOL. Fortunately, batteries have never been so dead that I couldn't get engine compartment opened up though

I am sure they do as they are mostly used on big machinery and trucks.
Google Caterpillar jump start.

Schumacher came today. It seems like a beast. A little bigger than I expected but seems very well made and easy to use. No frills, just an on/off switch and voltage/% charged readout. Terminals and wire are very heavy duty. Has an internal fan that goes on while it's charging. I think I'll keep this one.

Sounds like you have the answer. Let us know how it works out.