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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them?

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Randy_NE

12-22-2005 10:17:23




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Anyone have or used one of those 12volt portable jumpstarter's?

I see all kinds of peak, and cold crank amp ratings on the different models. What does all that mean? Do they really work?

Will they toast a 6volt system if you try and use a 12volt jumper?

Randy

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Nolan

12-23-2005 03:55:07




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
I've seen as many people swear at them as swear by them. I have seen them in use doing things quite well. Have my doubts about their ability to deal with a totally dead battery, but a very weak one they boost just fine.

You will not kill a 6 volt points ignition by jumping with 12 volts. Do it quite routinely to various equipment of mine. But if you've got one with a pertronix ignition, you might kill that.

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Hawaiirocky

12-22-2005 17:42:52




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
Be sure that you can also charge it from the lighter socket in your vehicle, and that the unit has an over-charge preventer built in. The "cheaper" units need a $75 accessory to prevent over-charging.



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barryinmn

12-22-2005 13:48:02




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
I bought the larger one at Harbor Freight 3 years ago. Charge it once a month. Use it to jump tractors, diesel dump truck, diesel crawler, etc... Also has full time duty running 12v fuel pump refilling the off road tanks.

6v are all converted to 12v now. On dual 12v batts I jump across the one closest to the starter.

Far and away more convenient than maneuvering a second vehicle. Risk to electronics in the second vehicle (alternator spikes can reach several hundred amps.) Battery cables - watchout for positive ground, shorting etc.

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TimV

12-22-2005 13:24:21




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
Randy: They're an excellent thing to have around if used within the limits of their capability. I liked mine so much I got my parents one for Christmas last year. On a farm there's always something that needs a boost where it's difficult to get jumper cables to it. Mine has a built-in light and small air compressor as welll--it won't replace my Quincy, but it's a WHOLE lot more portable! I've jumped my Cub with mine several times with no ill effects--usually the old 6-volt systems are built heavy enough that a few seconds of over-voltage won't hurt them, and in most cases the starter itself is the same regardless of whether or not the system is 6V or 12V. Mine is a 1200 CCA unit, and I paid about $70 at my local hardware store. One thing to look out for is the cheaper units often have very short cables, which means that it's difficult to get them connected on units that have the battery mounted in an odd place. I've got to hold mine in place on the gas tank of my Super C Farmall in order to reach the battery terminals.

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TWafer

12-22-2005 12:04:58




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
One of the greatest things I ever bought! Seems like everything I own has a dead battery when I get around to needing it. It�s so much handier than jumper cables especially in the pole barn. I use it on my 6 volt Cat all the time but the only thing electric is the starter. Do get a big enough one though! You get what you pay for.
Tim



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jimont

12-22-2005 11:03:59




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
Randy - We actually have two of these units. Wouldn't be without them. If you decide to buy,get a large enough one that will have a light and power outlets to run essentials during power outages as well. My wife was confimed to a power hospital bed with an air mattress and during power outages,those units were priceless. Up here, heavy duty ones are well under $200. They also have enough boosting power to start all our equipment.

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Randy_NE

12-22-2005 10:40:55




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
The reason I am asking is that I have a line on some H's that are not accessible to getting a vehicle close by to try and start them. I wanted something lighter than a regular battery to carry around, but don't want to waste my money on something that turns out to be junk.



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JT

12-22-2005 10:33:06




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
Randy,
I use one all the time in my lawn mower shop. The one we have has 3500 amp capacity. very heavy to carry, I am going to find a 2 wheeler to put it on. We use it to run a winch on our trailer in we have it on a differant truck than ususal, use it all the time to start lawn mowers, my diesel pickup, on my H and M tractor. To keep from messing up the six volt system, I normally use it by jump directly to the starter. But a good one will work great, but you buy a cheap one, you will regret it, my brother bought a cheap one and it lasted a year and give out.

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B. Jones

12-22-2005 10:26:00




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 Re: Portable Jumpstarters-Any feedback on them? in reply to Randy_NE, 12-22-2005 10:17:23  
I have a friend that has two of them. The last time we needed to use it, it was low and did not work. I much prefer a gooood set of jumper cables. The 4 gauge cables at least 16 feet long are great. These gooood cables work so much better than the cheap ones. I don't have to worry about the battery going dead on a set of jumper cables. 6 gauge work pretty well also. The good cables are going to set you back $25-$35 maybe more, but they last for years. I saw a set of 2gauge the other day for $50. This is just my opinion on the subject. B. Jones

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