Jump Start Pack

[Roktoys84]

I'm looking for a jump start pack to take with me on backcountry trips. I haven't seen anything locally that I was very impressed with. I don't need a built in compressor or anything like that, just plenty of power to do the trick. What is everyone else using?

[James86004]

I was given a Black and Decker Electromate® 250 AC/DC Portable Power Station/Jump-Starter for Christmas:

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=15589

It is a nice size, about the size of one of my work boots. I have jump started two vehicles with it without issue. I have mainly used it as a very large flashlight when camping - it has a pretty nice LED light.

[mountainpete]

I picked one up from Costco a few years ago. It has a huge CCA rating (1200 I think) and has served me very well. I use it at the campsite connected to an ARB adventure light all the time.

Haven't seen that model since though. They all have exactly what you aren't looking for - air compressors, etc, added on.

Pete

[Ed B]

I have borrowed a friends battery pac on several occasions and am impressed enough that I am currently price shopping for my own. I will be buying the Solar ES 2500 Booster Pac by Century Manufacturing. I have jumped numerous cars with it, used it to power a radar gun and other electronics at my children's assorted fund raisers. My friend keeps it charged in his car all the time as an emergency power source.

I'm sure there are other capable units out there but the performance of this unit has been very good.

[granitex1]

Mine came from sears a few years ago, it is a lot easier to get it to a truck that is stopped on the trail than it is to get somebody turned around for a jump.

[Superu]

The few times I've needed it, it's come through like a champ. It also will run my Engel 45 overnight without draining past halfway in a pinch.

[jh504]

I use a Black & Decker with AC/DC and a compressor. It works fine for jumps, extra electric, and airing up tires (mainly MTB tires) and I think I paid around $50 for it. It was a well spent $50.

[crawler#976]

http://www.batterychargers.com/detai...A&catid=13

I travel solo a lot, so part of my travel kit has been a portable jump starter/12V power source. I have carried a Shumacher Mighty Mite for four years in the trail rig, and it's been used numerous times to jump start a battery, and as a power source for a 100W rechargeable spot light. It will run a rechargeable 100W light longer than I want to stay in the local mine shafts. (most of which are now closed and foamed shut )

I've found that it holds a charge for about 4 months, so the upkeep maintinace is really very easy. The unit plugs directly into a standard 110V cord, and charges overnight.

I found one this weekend for the '98 Taco at our local ACE Hardware for $49.99, a lot less than the MSRP.

While this unit doesn't compare to a dual battery system, it offers a lot of portability and sufficient power to get a flat battery going again. They can be stored in any position, anywhere in a vehicle without fear of leaks or fumes.

Later

[Big Daddy Chia]

I have the Chicago Electric from Harbor Freight that I use for work. 1200 amps and fresh off the charger has enough juice to jump a diesel truck. Best part is you can catch them on sale for 60 bucks all the time.

[BIGdaddy]

i've also got the one from costco. i've used it about 15 times in the year or so i've had it...works wonderfully.

just plug it in after 4 or 5 uses and it's ready to go again...

the only extra it has is a compressor, but its well hidden.

i've used the compressor 2 or 3 times and its a good, slow backup
to my viair.

it was about 40.00 and i got it for xmas. i'd say its a bit bulky compared to some that have come out recently but its been very reliable, so i'm reluctant
to replace it for a "newer" version.

regards,
Brian

[biere]

Napa's online site should show some commercial quality versions of battery jump packs.

I know wally world and everyone else has versions now and I guess if you learn who made it you could wind up with a quality name for a walmart price, kind of like the vector invertors labeled black and decker.

I had one of these almost a decade ago and it is now dead.

I waver from wanting to open it up and find a new battery for it to just buying a generic small car battery and using my jumper cables to jump start stuff when I need to do so. A small car battery is not that heavy and while I agree with it not being able to be stored upside down or on its side other than that I think it might be easier to wind up with a setup going this route.

But I have some old jumper cables sitting around and somewhat wound up wondering if I would build a little basket to carry it in.

[allnew2me]

You can certainly find less expensive brands out there that work fine, but I have found these to be about the best ones as far as durability and just plain working when you need them.

http://www.cloreautomotive.com/site_cat.asp?family_pk=11&br_pk=37&category_pk=70


http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/KK-JNC4000.html

[Roktoys84]

I just got back from a 10 day trip to Southern Utah and I ended up getting the Chicago 5 in 1 Portable Power Pack (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96157) on my way out of town. It did what I needed it to when my new Engel 45 drained the red top Optima in my fathers truck overnight. It also charged our portable dvd player and Ipod several times. I think I paid $60 for it.

[JIMBO]

:camping: I got my powerstation from COSTCO, last summer and it has provided a compressor/DC light power in the tent, but I haven't had to use it to jump any batteries, they're pretty well taken care of--

--
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm83/jimbowby/IMGP0425.jpg

--It was $79 bucks 1 year ago

--:iagree: -JIMBO

[offroad_nomad]

I carry the Jump-N-Carry 660 (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/KK-JNC660.html)

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/media/KK-JNC660.jpg

[TheRoadie]

I had the Vector VEC010S, 300A unit. No compressor. Built in little LED light. About $30 on sale at PepBoys.

http://www.directdepot.net/images/images_big/vec010s.jpg

Had tested it to make sure it WOULD start the vehicle if the regular battery was disconnected (recommend everybody actually do this). But I got annoyed at the extra bulk, if all I was going to do was use it to emergency jump me. So I just stripped off the charger, box, and got down to the battery, shutoff switch, and clamp cables. Now (with a bit of heat shrink and ty-wrap clean-up) it can fit under the hood in unused space, where the original box was too big. Should have just bought the naked battery.

http://www.roadie.org/battery1.jpg

http://www.roadie.org/battery2.jpg

[targa88]

Use the same basic idea Battery Eliminator 700A/Booster Pack from Canadian Tired (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6674307&bmUID=1211917855519&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443249994&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true).
Great back up.

[LandCruiserPhil]

Another vote for the Costco unit. Pick one up several years ago and have used the heck out of it. I have tried but I just cant kill it.

[08Silverado]

If anyone has a Northern Hydraulics in their neck of the woods I was in there recently and they had a very nice one for $80

[Antichrist]

it is a lot easier to get it to a truck that is stopped on the trail than it is to get somebody turned around for a jump.That's why you carry jumper cables that are long enough so you don't have to turn around. ;)

IMO the money is better spent put towards a dual battery setup.

[matt s]

I carry this one.

http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/7d/f/AAAAAmxW6UEAAAAAAH34fQ.jpg?v=1193106210000

Great setup, digital readout on voltage, 12 volt dc out and 110 inverter outlet as well. also has compressor hidden in the back of the unit, very slow but works.