Portable Jump start boxes - which is the best??

RTR · Nov 15, 2015

Hey guys. I'm looking for one of the best recommended portable jumpstart boxes for the money. I just retired (trashed) my harbor freight version which was bought in 2010. It worked well for me for five years and within the last year the battery has been weak where it would only get two jumps off of one charge. I think that is really good for the $60 HF unit especially since I have jumped some 100+ tractors with it many times and many other things too.

Now.....my uncle just bought one about 8 months ago that is a little nicer looking than mine. It is a "Centech" unit and I think it probably came from harbor freight too but not sure. One thing I like it better than my old one is the longer cables. I don't like his for the fact that it is new and I can only jump 2, MAYBE 3 small Farmall tractors with it before it dies. I want one to last! I would have bought a new battery for mine but the battery was $10 more than the whole thing cost me 5 years ago

G.Fields · Nov 15, 2015

At work we use jump&carry brand 12v/24v, 1150ca. There about $900. Id say you you could get a 12v only for less money. They seem to hold up well, but the key is once there charged to unplug them, if you dont they turn into charger addicts.

juniur · Nov 15, 2015

I agree jump-n-carry. Google jnc660. The larger version is a jnc960. They come with a double ended 12v plug. I plug mine into the work truck after I use it, alternator charges it along with the battery under the hood. They also come with a 110v Adapter.

D beatty · Nov 15, 2015

My first one lasted over 10 years and it was a Victor. I always kept it in a warm place when not in use in the winter. I bought a new one about a year ago and its a 12 volt Stanley 1,000 peak battery amps and 500amp instant starting power. It also has a 120 psi compressor. So far so good but time will tell how good it is.

Dick L · Nov 15, 2015

The newer ones have a float charger that will not over charge. I killed the battery of my first one by forgetting to unplug the cord. I had several of the cheaper units before I bought a Jump&carry. They sell new batteries but I had run over the old one with a tractor and cracked the case. I gave about 300 bucks for mine. With all my tractors I don't even try to keep up the batteries. I just use the jump&carry.

Dick L · Nov 15, 2015

Some deals now on the jump-carry.

I have the 950
Here

keh · Nov 15, 2015

All those jump start boxes that I am familiar with use a lead acid battery like a car does, just a smaller version. I have taken a couple to a good battery place and they installed a new battery. There is a difference in the mounting tabs, which they have instead of the regular battery posts. Suggest taking apart the HF jump box and see if you can get a replacement battery.

My opinion is that just for starting, not using the air compressor or light in one, it would be just as well to buy a regular battery of whatever size you have room to carry around and use jumper cables to connect the two batteries if needed.(when needed) Charge with regular battery charger occasionally.

KEH

Steve A W · Nov 15, 2015

A youtuber I watch showed a couple He bought I'll try and post the link to them.
Jump starter

Jump starter 2

Bob · Nov 15, 2015

"My opinion is that just for starting, not using the air compressor or light in one, it would be just as well to buy a regular battery of whatever size you have room to carry around and use jumper cables to connect the two batteries if needed."

That's what I do. From what I have seen of the jumper boxes, even the high-dollar ones, they have a limited lifespan and it costs a LOT more over time to keep one functioning than to use a spare battery and some booster cables.

(This is for occasional use, vs. a used car lot where there are used each and every day and buying a new one as needed is a cost of doing business.)

Hobo,NC · Nov 15, 2015

This is what I use it always amazes what it will start... The bad,, those short arse cables GRRRR! and you have got to have a good connector to connect too...

http://themicrostart.com/products/micro-starts/xp10/

Even the smaller ones do a damm good job...
http://shop.antigravitybatteries.com/micro-start-xp-5/

Scott.ID · Nov 15, 2015

Wife bought me one of these for my birthday, same basic idea. Jumped by SkidSteer with Perkins diesel in 29 degree weather. Still had 3 of the 4 bars when done, charged back up in 1/2 hour.
Amazon

deeretails · Nov 17, 2015

Anybody seen one for 6 volts?

buickanddeere · Nov 18, 2015

You could just fix everything instead of having everything with non functional charging systems and worn out batteries. And use block heaters in the winter.
Gell Cell batteries will not tolerate the high current drains that an AGM will survive.

Aaron Ford · Nov 21, 2015

I bought a cheap ($75) from Advance Auto and it failed in short order. They were kind enough to replace it but the new one failed within 9 months. I took it apart and replaced the 110v adapter with leads for my battery tender. It charges real well now. Aaron

Portable Jump start boxes - which is the best??

RTR

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G.Fields

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juniur

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D beatty

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Dick L

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Dick L

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keh

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Steve A W

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Bob

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Hobo,NC

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Scott.ID

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deeretails

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buickanddeere

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Aaron Ford

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