How to choose a portable battery jump starter?

[betty2017]

As my title wrote, I need a portable jump starter.
But as a girl I am confused to choose which brand.
How can I choose a better one? Which brand do you use now?

 

[jack707]

I don't have one if I did might buy HF or any auto store.

 

[Xfaxman]

Is it for a car, truck or tractor?

There are new style Lithium Ion jump starters available now that might be what you need.

For my diesel engines, I got this DieHard 1150 several years ago:

 

[crazyal]

For my vehicles I now have the lithium ion style. Much more compact so I can leave one in each vehicle. Once a month I do take the time to make sure they still have a full charge. I use to have one that had an air compressor, light, and some other useless features. But every time I had to air up a tire I was either at home or it had a hole and needed more than just air.

 

[tomplum]

The HF ones will give some service, but in my experience no consistent heavy cranking if you need that. I have a Clore 660 for 4 years now and it isn't showing its age. Looks like I paid 109$ back then. They have larger and smaller ones if I recall correctly. Amazon.com: Jump-N-Carry JNC66 17 Peak Amp 12-Volt Jump Starter: Automotive

 

[betty2017]

Yes, for a car. a portable one better!

Is it for a car, truck or tractor?

There are new style Lithium Ion jump starters available now that might be what you need.

For my diesel engines, I got this DieHard 1150 several years ago:

View attachment 503913

 

[CADplans]

I would think this is one place you do NOT want a lithium battery.
The high current draw of starting a car is like a dead short.
The high current draw is what causes lithium batteries to explode.

The replacement battery for many of these jump packs seeems to be the 22Ah AGM battery.

agm battery 12v 22ah - Google Search

The AGM battery is a safe source of power,, but, needs frequent charging so as not to go dead,,,

 

[GaryM]

I've had this one for a while now:
Amazon.com: Antigravity Batteries AG-XP-1 Multi-Function Power Supply and Jump Starter: Automotive

It works well. I've started several V-8 pickups and one 4 cyl SUV. It will also charge your phone and run your laptop PC. Recharge from AC or 12 V in your car.

 

[3930dave]

This is a video that a local powersport distributor put together about 2 years back, to demonstrate a lithium booster pack:

Crank Multi-Function Power Supply - YouTube

Don't know if they still sell that brand, but gives you and idea of what these packs can do.

Booster cables alone are dangerous enough, we all should really be wearing safety glasses every time we boost anything. Buddy of mine worked with a mechanic who had is face severely damaged - went to pull a starting battery out of a car trunk (OE location) and it blew up - turns out it wasn't vented properly, one spark was all it took.

Lithium packs are more expensive, but have similar advantages in battery boosters as with cell phones. I'd be reading a lot of reviews on a particular brand before spending the money on a lithium pack, you don't want a cheap knock-off.

Older AGM packs are cheaper, bulkier, and can work fine if you are somebody who remembers to re-charge them on a regular basis. A friend has had good luck with Stanley AGM packs with his service trucks. Dewalt makes a good pack, but is more money still, and bigger than most people want/need in a car.

Many packs now will have USB power built-in, I'd want that too on a new pack.

Rgds, D.

 

[joefromga]

Might be best to just carry around a red or yellow top optima battery with you and cables.

I haven't found a jump starter yet that will crank a diesel engine or a flat dead lawnmower unless it's 100 percent charged.

 

[pycoed]

Try one of the capacitor start jumpers. No batteries to go bad, weigh only a couple of pounds & small enough to keep in a glove box of a car. I bought one last year for a Kubota engined Cushman Truckster because I was sick of carting around jump leads & a heavy battery (the only spares I had were pickup sized).
Kubota has done over 9000 hours & needs 15 secs of glowplugs to start. Battery is an odd size in a small battery box, so this capacitor starter seemed worth a try at £90.
It works perfectly & will charge itself up & start an engine if the battery shows more than 5V! Can be precharged from a good battery too in which case it will start an engine without a battery.
I even used it to start my tractor the other day ( 2.4l 45hp UTB 445DT) - the first time in 11 years it wouldn't start - stll on the same battery too!
ElectroStart(R) Batteryless Power Start 16A 12V E/START16: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

 

[betty2017]

The one you suggest in much higher price than my budget. I believe one less than $80 would be better.

I've had this one for a while now:
Amazon.com: Antigravity Batteries AG-XP-1� Multi-Function Power Supply and Jump Starter: Automotive

It works well. I've started several V-8 pickups and one 4 cyl SUV. It will also charge your phone and run your laptop PC. Recharge from AC or 12 V in your car.

 

[megaboz]

The one you suggest in much higher price than my budget. I believe one less than $80 would be better.

Go with the bigger one. It is multi-functional, and will give you the extra jump when needed. I have the 400 AMP model from AntiGravity, works great, will start a V8 without a battery. I would do the larger one just because... They are well worth the money.

 

[airbiscuit]

I have had good luck with this, and yes, I have used it tro start my tractor.

 

[betty2017]

OK. Thanks a lot for your suggestion.

Try one of the capacitor start jumpers. No batteries to go bad, weigh only a couple of pounds & small enough to keep in a glove box of a car. I bought one last year for a Kubota engined Cushman Truckster because I was sick of carting around jump leads & a heavy battery (the only spares I had were pickup sized).
Kubota has done over 9000 hours & needs 15 secs of glowplugs to start. Battery is an odd size in a small battery box, so this capacitor starter seemed worth a try at ｣90.
It works perfectly & will charge itself up & start an engine if the battery shows more than 5V! Can be precharged from a good battery too in which case it will start an engine without a battery.
I even used it to start my tractor the other day ( 2.4l 45hp UTB 445DT) - the first time in 11 years it wouldn't start - stll on the same battery too!
ElectroStart(R) Batteryless Power Start 16��A 12V E/START16��: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

 

[bigtiller]

OK. Thanks a lot for your suggestion.

If you decide to go with lit-ion batteries, read this review from Consumer Report about storing them in your car. They say all of the 10 models tested failed when temperatures reached 0 degrees fahrenheit. And they don't like being over 120 degrees, as in a parked car in the sun.

I'm following this thread because I would like to buy one someday and don't know which ones are worth my money.

Best Jump Starter Buying Guide - Consumer Reports

 

[Victorvt]

I was just going to suggest Consumer Reports - as was just mentioned above. Also, usually always several reviews and comparison charts that you can find on Google ranking the best ones.

__________________________
Victor | Roadside Assistance

 

[betty2017]

OK. It is really helpful. Thanks a lot.

If you decide to go with lit-ion batteries, read this review from Consumer Report about storing them in your car. They say all of the 10 models tested failed when temperatures reached 0 degrees fahrenheit. And they don't like being over 120 degrees, as in a parked car in the sun.

I'm following this thread because I would like to buy one someday and don't know which ones are worth my money.

Best Jump Starter Buying Guide - Consumer Reports

 

[robertangela279]

car starter also needs to be recharged just like a regular battery to make sure they are ready to go in an emergency. That means that you may have to carry a heavy jump starter from your car to your house periodically to recharge it. i suggest only choice what ever company but select only that company which gives after sales services

 

[betty2017]

I believe it is not a good choice.

car starter also needs to be recharged just like a regular battery to make sure they are ready to go in an emergency. That means that you may have to carry a heavy jump starter from your car to your house periodically to recharge it. i suggest only choice what ever company but select only that company which gives after sales services