Booster Battery Packs That Last ??

[bdhsfz6]

During my lifetime, I've gone through almost a dozen of these booster battery packs. None have lasted more than a few years before the internal lead acid battery fails. I've replaced a couple of these dead batteries but the cost is so close to buying a new pack that it doesn't seem worth it.

I've tried everything from leaving them on the charger 24/7 to charging occasionally (when I remember) but they just don't last. The expensive ones don't seem to be any better than the cheap models. There is nothing worse than depending on one of these things only to find out it's dead just when you need it most.

I keep an AC starter/charger in the shop and a deep cycle marine battery on a battery maintainer which I can haul around the property when needed. That battery lasts 8 years or so. Someone should be able to make a portable booster pack with a built in maintainer that will last as long.

I'm curious what experiences others here have had with these booster packs.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I use a portable Honda generator for this purpose. The charger weighs 29 pounds so it’s easy to take anywhere and it will run for hours on half a gallon of gas. Too pricy if that was my only use but I use it a lot, great for power anywhere you have a project away from the house/barn.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I use a portable Honda generator for this purpose. The charger weighs 29 pounds so it’s easy to take anywhere and it will run for hours on half a gallon of gas. Too pricy if that was my only use but I use it a lot, great for power anywhere you have a project away from the house/barn.

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I have that same Honda EU2200i generator. It can be used to power a battery charger and some models also have a 12V output but both take a long time to charge a battery.

 

[LittleBill21]

buy a lithium setup and keep it out of the sun. the sealed batterys are only good for 3-5 years, I constantly have to change them in my ups's

https://www.amazon.com/GOOLOO-Super...f7850793d379b&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I have that same Honda EU2200i generator. It can be used to power a battery charger and some models also have a 12V output but both take a long time to charge a battery.

Yep. I actually have the EU1000i, (great for tailgating and camping) but I find that 10 minutes charge time usually gets me from won’t-turn-over to will-turn-over. At that point the alternator or magneto will finish the job while I’m using the equipment.

I also have an EU3000is but it’s too heavy to move unless I really have to.

 

[mrmikey]

I've got a Noco GB70 2KA lithium booster pack, battery stays charger pretty much forever but I still plug it in once a year or so, works great but a bit pricey. I actually didn't buy it, it was a gift.......M

 

[oosik]

I have a Honda 3000xxx generator. Had it for fifteen plus years. I've never had to jump start any of my vehicles. I load the generator, HD extension cord and any corded tools on my ATV - out on the property to complete another project.

I have several cordless tools, also. But, when you REALLY need the grunt and not a run down battery - go corded.

 

[Vigo327]

I think the two main options have already been presented here.. lithium, and 'deep cycle' lead acid.

The thing about sealed lead acid jump packs is.. there's no magic to lead acid batteries. Which means that if a battery good enough to crank your tractor is $100-200 bucks (some might be more for bigger ones), then a battery good enough to crank your tractor, plus the box around it, plus the cables coming out of it, plus the lights/meter/internal charging stuff/aux power ports/usb ports etc etc that are on a jump pack, means that jump pack should cost WAY more than your tractor battery. If it doesn't, that dictates that the jump pack is not that great of a battery in terms of cranking an engine. Of course, if it WAS that good it would weigh just as much too, so there's a practicality problem of making a lead acid jump pack not inherently sort of crappy.

Lithium batteries have a bunch of advantages. They don't self-discharge nearly as much so don't need as much attention to ensure they are charged when you need them. They are also more power dense so you get more battery performance per lb of weight. They also have a longer 'cycle life' than lead acid which means you can use it more times before it's 'worn out'.

Downside of lithium is mostly cost related. They cost more than lead acid by probably a factor of 4x for equivalent 'cranking amps', and they need a 'smart' charger to avoid damaging them during charge cycles. So while it will have a much higher up front cost, it SHOULD last long enough that you break even comparing it to the cost of 4 lead acid booster boxes, and the real value should be the lack of frustration, the 'ownership experience' being better.


But depending on how portable you need this thing to be, if you need something cheaper that's still going to work better than what you've got, i would just buy a $100 group 29 marine "deep cycle" (picture me doing the quote marks with my hands..) or a $200 12v golf cart deep cycle (no air quotes) battery and hardwire some decent leads to their terminal studs. It won't have a convenient carrying handle, charge port, place to hang the cables, voltmeter or status lights on it, but it will crank stronger and last longer 'on the shelf' than what you're using now, and price is comparable.

For the record, lots of automotive shops DO use something like this (with full size deep cycle batteries in it), but it's in a wheeled cart and assumes you have the benefit of a paved surface to roll it across.. not always the case with tractors..Jump Cart

And the ultimate, excessive, opulent, indulgent, but very effective option.. get an electric golf cart. It drives itself to the job site and has a ton of battery power onboard. My property is only 5 acres and i have the worlds crappiest golf cart running off just 2 group 29 marine batteries, but it still makes a hell of a jump cart.

 

[seville009]

I've got a Noco GB70 2KA lithium booster pack, battery stays charger pretty much forever but I still plug it in once a year or so, works great but a bit pricey. I actually didn't buy it, it was a gift.......M

agree....I have them in all my vehicles and in the garage for my equipment. They maintain a charge a long time, are powerful, and can do multiple jump starts between charges. They are also compact and idiot proofed. They are expensive, but eorth it.

 

[newbury]

During my lifetime, I've gone through almost a dozen of these booster battery packs. <snip>

That's too bad. I had always wanted one but didn't dare. Then shortly after HF came out with their "450 Peak Amp Portable Lithium Ion Jump Starter and Power Pack" I bought one on a reduced sale. I think I got it for $50.
Note that it is NOT LiOn, it's LI Iron, much safer. Mostly used it as a big battery bank for Wyze cams but started several small cars with it and my B7610.
Liked it so much I've bought a GooLoo 4000A which will start my diesel in warm weather, have not tried it in cold weather.