Jump Pack for Diesels

[GreatWhitehunter]

Does anyone have a recommendation on a decent jump pack for diesel engines? I can't seem to find a lot of reviews on them.
I'm sure a lot of cranking amps is going to be a must for diesel's. With the extreme cold we've had in the Northeast this year I've found myself needing a power pack more and more. The battery in my 110 is new(6 months) but I don't use it very much in the winter so when I do need it the engine is dead cold and will sometimes need to crank for a bit before it fires up. I then only use the machine for 15 min so it doesn't get a chance to recharge. I know I should pull the battery and put it on a charger then perhaps a tender but I'm hoping I'll get away with using a jump pack to keep from draining the onboard battery.

Matt

 

[3930dave]

As you know, your battery is undercharged. So you need to do something there - portable generator+battery charger is one solution. A good sized solar panel is better than nothing.

If you can drive to the TLB (4x4 PU), if nothing else, I'd boost it with a really good set of jumper cables when starting, to reduce the drain on the onboard battery.

Consider running your machine longer, even if you end up doing volunteer/busy work - it is also spending all winter with fluids never really up to temperature.

Most people are going to have trouble carrying a battery that is big enough to help very far. If you need to go that route, buy the biggest truck battery you can find, and use a cart or sled to move it. Regular retail battery packs won't do much for you.

Just my :2cents: .

Rgds, D.

 

[jimmysisson]

Why not a Tender? They're cheap, and you can get a solar one if no 110v. Work great for exactly the condition you describe.
Jim

 

[buickanddeere]

Why would you want to use a booster pack? Just plug in the block heater and use a battery tender. Cold starts strain the engine, starter, battery and alternator. A perpetually discharged battery have a short life span.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Why would you want to use a booster pack? Just plug in the block heater and use a battery tender. Cold starts strain the engine, starter, battery and alternator. A perpetually discharged battery have a short life span.

Why not a Tender? They're cheap, and you can get a solar one if no 110v. Work great for exactly the condition you describe.
Jim

As you know, your battery is undercharged. So you need to do something there - portable generator+battery charger is one solution. A good sized solar panel is better than nothing.

If you can drive to the TLB (4x4 PU), if nothing else, I'd boost it with a really good set of jumper cables when starting, to reduce the drain on the onboard battery.

Consider running your machine longer, even if you end up doing volunteer/busy work - it is also spending all winter with fluids never really up to temperature.

Most people are going to have trouble carrying a battery that is big enough to help very far. If you need to go that route, buy the biggest truck battery you can find, and use a cart or sled to move it. Regular retail battery packs won't do much for you.

Just my :2cents: .

Rgds, D.

All of those are good idea's however my tractor lives in a large carport and has no electricity near by. It was -6 when I drained the battery cranking it this morning. I'm running a yellow top Optima which has been good but this morning she was just too cold. I went out and picked up a 20' jumper cable set. It was ineffective as I had drained the battery down too far. I ended up pull the battery and bringing it into the garage. Threw it on the charger for a few hrs and she fired right up.

I've had the need for a jump pack many times before. I stopped at a local diesel shop and asked what they used on the rigs they service.
This is the model they recommended:Amazon.com: Jump-N-Carry JNC950 2000 Peak Amp 12V Jump Starter: Automotive

So I ordered it and will give it a test drive. All these headache sure have me wishing for a heated pole barn to store the toys out of the elements.

Matt

 

[like2wheel]

That is a standard jump box for automotive purposes. Diesel shops typically something twice that size & much more costly.

The real issue is what buickanddeere already mentioned is that a battery that is not kept fully charged has a much shortened lifespan. A simple solar arrangement could keep your battery charged & provide some basic listing for your carport.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

That is a standard jump box for automotive purposes. Diesel shops typically something twice that size & much more costly.

The real issue is what buickanddeere already mentioned is that a battery that is not kept fully charged has a much shortened lifespan. A simple solar arrangement could keep your battery charged & provide some basic listing for your carport.

I will look into the solar charger as well, the jump pack has over 900 cranking amps. That's more than stock battery is capable of. This has been an unusually cold winter, in the past I have removed the batteries and put them in the garage on a tender, that just too much of a hassle at present.

I should also have mentioned that I have a need for the jump pack for other vehicles but didn't want to buy one that would be incapable of turning over a diesel.

Matt

 

[jenkinsph]

I will look into the solar charger as well, the jump pack has over 900 cranking amps. That's more than stock battery is capable of. This has been an unusually cold winter, in the past I have removed the batteries and put them in the garage on a tender, that just too much of a hassle at present.

I should also have mentioned that I have a need for the jump pack for other vehicles but didn't want to buy one that would be incapable of turning over a diesel.

Matt

The problem with jump packs and diesels are the glow plugs and air heaters sap the power before you can crank them up. What I have found works the best is a good starting battery and short set of jumper cables. A jump pack is okay with a good gas engine that only needs a few seconds of boost to crank up. Charging up the glow plugs for 30 or 45 seconds puts a large load on a jump packs small battery.

I suspect it will be time to change my battery in the 110 this year and will see if I can get a DieHard platinum or Odyssey that fits. These are very good batteries for cold weather.

 

[like2wheel]

I will look into the solar charger as well, the jump pack has over 900 cranking amps. That's more than stock battery is capable of. This has been an unusually cold winter, in the past I have removed the batteries and put them in the garage on a tender, that just too much of a hassle at present.

I should also have mentioned that I have a need for the jump pack for other vehicles but didn't want to buy one that would be incapable of turning over a diesel.

Matt

I was just closing out some windows, & just realized that I misspoke. I didn't read the specs, or look closely enough to realize that is not the typical automotive jump pack. Hopefully it will serve you well

 

[skyhook]

I suppose in your situation, a power pack is useful.
The reviews on this JNC950 look pretty impressive, buy one
I would try and do a pre-heat on your machine first (glow plugs), then get out and attach your booster,
another quick pre-heat and turn her over.
Let us know how it works out.