THSCC Forums

I want to keep a jump box at the office cause there is always somebody needing a jump (usually me on one my too many cars) Suggestions.

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

600amp jumpstarter from PepBoys is only $50 and has worked well for me over the last 4 seasons. The one I had prior to that lasted 9 years before losing the ability to recharge.

https://www.pepboys.com/tools/booster_packs_jumper_cables/booster_packs/00004

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

www.amazon.com/Stanley-J5C09-Starter-Bu ... mp+starter

I've got both the non-compressor version of the Stanley above, and a smaller "600" Peak. The smaller Peak unit has failed me many times, the Stanley hasn't ever let me down, whether for my truck to my mower (both which have weak batteries, and I'm cheap, so it gets used often) to many in between.

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

I've been through a few of these over the years, both cheap ones and not so cheap.

The cheap ones usually die after a year or two (sometimes less, one lasted me about 4 years), the more professional brands seem to last at least 4-5 years, often more, and are generally better quality.

I got a JNC660 for Christmas last year to replace the dead Peak brand box I bought at Advance about 2 years ago. It's more than $100, but well worth it IMHO. There is no separate charger needed, just use a short extension cord to charge it (not included, but any normal cord works). I would say it's a smallish version of what you might see at a shop, or on a tow truck or service truck. No bells and whistles like air compressor or "work light", just a good jump box that I hope will last a long time.

http://www.tooltopia.com/solar-jnc660.aspx


I don't have any first hand experience, but if you want something cheaper, I'd think about this one:

http://www.tooltopia.com/solar-jnc300xl.aspx


Less power, but smaller and cheaper.

This is the one that we use around the shop:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-por ... 62306.html

It works well and has always started whatever we connected it to. If you subscribe to their e-mail coupons, then it will be on sale for $40 from time to time. The battery in it is replaceable and it has an AC plug on the back so you justneed an extension cord to charge it.

I know of 2 caveats with this unit:

1 - You can't leave it plugged in to the AC full time. It will kill the battery. I plug it in after each use and once a month, leaving it plugged in overnight to get it charged up.

2 - The battery charge state light will stay on until you turn it off, killing the battery. So if you press the battery test button to see the charge state, then you must press it again to turn off the indicator light.

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"Every ship is a minesweeper, once."

I'd be tempted to try out one of the new lithium-ion battery based ones. Theoretically they would last longer, especially with long periods of not being used, than lead-acid based ones.

I may pull the trigger on one of these myself, since my jumpbox is like 100 years old

http://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-13000mAh-P ... 1248861011

http://www.amazon.com/Energen-Starter-P ... mp+Starter

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/jump ... -guide.htm

Note that two racing suppliers, Pegasus and Racer parts wholesale sell race car sized versions of Antigravity brand batteries so this may add some legitimacy to the brand in regard to quality, etc.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Hey Dick, thanks for posting that!

The 2nd highest CR rated Li jump pack is $70 on Amazon and seems to have great reviews and is pretty versatile. I'm ordering one:

http://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Bolt-Pow ... mp+starter

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

What the hell, I've let Mike be my personal shopper many times before. I just ordered one as well. BTW, Mike, looks like I get to use that clutch you gave me. Yesterday morning it felt like it all went away. I hope a finger on the pressure plate didn't break. Felt very odd all at once.

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

Thanks for this. Bought one, like it, buying another.

Also, in case anyone cares, the connector that the jumper cables use to connect to this is a standard RC-world "EC5" connector (well, the EC3 is the smaller and more popular one, but the EC5 is available cheaply and easily, too). I have plans to use this box to power some other higher-current things I need to power and plan to use my own custom cables made with EC5 connectors on one end. You can buy EC5 plugs at Amazon or any other bigger hobby shop.


--Donnie

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