Portable Jump Starter

[Snobdds]

The Mahindra 3525 I used to own had a warning label not to run it without a battery connected to the alternator circuit. I was never sure why they had that particular warning, but it makes me wonder what would go wrong if you tried to disconnect a totally dead battery and then run a tractor or UTV off a portable jump starter? Mine is charged by a USB charger like you charge a phone with. I'd think something bad would happen to the jump starter if it were charged by alternator power, and I'm guessing something bad could also happen to an alternator that didn't have a battery that could handle its output power?

I'm sure Project farm did it to prove a point, but he had to disconnect the alternator to make it safe. Otherwise, you're pumping 100amps into the jump pack.

 

[Joel/ak]

I keep a micro start xp3 in my car and each truck gets an audew (amazon) . The audew jumped over our superduty with a 460 with no problem. Haven't tried it on our superduty with the 6.4l yet, although it's supposed to be rated for it

 

[landinpoland]

I have a Matco Versasapro2 that I purchased a few years ago and it works great. I work as a construction mechanic and will jump start diesels as long as the battery's have some life to them also Snap on sells a good jump starter.

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[ArlyA]

I was imagining that the starter pack would be the new battery.

 

[kf4uda]

I have been very pleased with this one. It has jumped off anything from a lawnmower to a Ford 555 TLB. It has made jumper cables obsolete for me.

Jump Starter, NUSICAN Upgraded 4000A Car Jump Starter for Up to 10L Gas or 10L Diesel Engine, 12V Auto Utrai Car Battery Starter, Car Portable Power Bank with Smart Safety Cable, Type-c Amazon.com

 

[LouNY]

I have one of the compact ones in my pickup, I should check it to see if it's any good I suppose.

Some of these claim to be good down to some fairly low temps;
"works even in extreme climate -4~140℉. Even if the battery voltage is too low or dead, pressing the “BOOST” button will force the car to restart. "

I would take that with a grain of salt, I put a Lithium battery in my SxS. It works great in the summer time, but when it gets
cold it is almost worthless. I can turn the head lights on for a bit and that helps some, but often I have to try and start it a few times to warm the battery up so it will work. Once it's been running and working it will be fine till it gets cooled down cold again.

This is my go to starter pack we have one on the farm and I keep one at my place it works for starting tractors and is hany for running 12 Volt fuel pumps and air compressors. The round bale wagon requires electrical to operate some diverter valves for the self loading / unloading hydraulics a few of the tractors that are used with it don't have good electrical hookups for auxiliary power so we just use the jump box to power the system.
This is heavier and bulkier then the compact ones but it works well for use and we have even paralleled them a few times.

 

[Camofurever1]

I have one of the compact ones in my pickup, I should check it to see if it's any good I suppose.

Some of these claim to be good down to some fairly low temps;
"works even in extreme climate -4~140℉. Even if the battery voltage is too low or dead, pressing the “BOOST” button will force the car to restart. "

I would take that with a grain of salt, I put a Lithium battery in my SxS. It works great in the summer time, but when it gets
cold it is almost worthless. I can turn the head lights on for a bit and that helps some, but often I have to try and start it a few times to warm the battery up so it will work. Once it's been running and working it will be fine till it gets cooled down cold again.

This is my go to starter pack we have one on the farm and I keep one at my place it works for starting tractors and is hany for running 12 Volt fuel pumps and air compressors. The round bale wagon requires electrical to operate some diverter valves for the self loading / unloading hydraulics a few of the tractors that are used with it don't have good electrical hookups for auxiliary power so we just use the jump box to power the system.
This is heavier and bulkier then the compact ones but it works well for use and we have even paralleled them a few times.
View attachment 833218

The guys that have dozers and excavators seem to use this box a lot. It is 12/24 volt rated. 1700 amps. The other box I see that gets used a lot is the NAPA jump pak.

JNC1224 3400 Peak Amp 12/24V Jump Starter - Clore Automotive

When you reach for your jump starter, it has to work — especially if you are a pro. If you need powerful, multi-volt jump starting in a portable unit, look no further than the JNC1224 from Clore Automotive. With an easy change between voltage settings, this Jump-N-Carry starter packs a...

cloreautomotive.com

 

[sandman2234]

Wife walked across the street to drive her Mom's car, which hadn't been driven in several weeks. As She walked out the door, I told her to call me if it wouldn't start. She did, so I grabbed the Nocco 1000 amp jumpbox and had her running in just a few seconds. Sent the jumpbox along in case She had more issues (She didn't). When She came home, She told me that whatever I paid for that thing, it was worth every penny!
It gets used as a flashlight and remote phone charger more than as a Jumpbox but it does all of them well.
David from jax

 

[sea2summit]

I'm sure Project farm did it to prove a point, but he had to disconnect the alternator to make it safe. Otherwise, you're pumping 100amps into the jump pack.

How do you figure? I don’t think anything near 100A gets to the battery from the alternator, that would be a huge fire hazard and battery life destroyer. I’m certain there is a inline LED, just like any common battery tender/charger, to prevent back feeding.

ETA everything I’m seeing in the googlebox says maximum recommended amperage for lead acid 12V is 10 amps for longevity. Looks like some alternators can push 50-60 amps to charge the batteries but it also sounds like there is a regulator/controller.

 

[ArlyA]

Not sure what size the OP was looking at but we wanted ours to fit in the trucks floor tool box and stay in there. Today its in there and has worked when needed.

 

[Omega Woods]

Bought a Yesper based on Project Farm recommendation. About three weeks after purchase, I was headed to pick up a trailer and stopped for the night at a hotel. In the morning, the truck batteries were dead and the truck wouldn't even click. Called roadside assistance then Mrs. Woods remembered the battery pack. I didn't have much hope that it would start my Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins from cold and dead. Hooked it up, said a prayer and she fired right up. Called roadside back and reported that I got her going. Stopped for fuel and had to jump it again. After jumping the truck off five times, it still indicated 50-75% charge.

It may be Chinese crap and it may die an early death but I'm glad I took a chance on it.

Amazon.com

Same one @Snobdds posted earlier.

 

[woody]

I've bought two different NOCO brands based on their reviews on Amazon. First one worked great for about a year to jump my zero turn and my tractor. Then one day, it wouldn't hold a charge anymore and it was useless.

I liked it so much when it worked that I bought another, slightly bigger one with a ton of great reviews. This one only lasted a few months before it stopped holding a charge.

I gave up and bought new batteries for the zero turn and tractor, and then bought a trickle charger for the zero turn. I've never had a lawn mower battery last more then two years, but I just finished year three with the trickle charger on the mower and I bet it will be good for another year!!!

I wish we lived closer I been wanting to do an experiment with a bad Noco and of course it involves taking one apart.

 

[sea2summit]

I wish we lived closer I been wanting to do an experiment with a bad Noco and of course it involves taking one apart.

I could see a capacitor of that size being pretty entertaining

 

[Snobdds]

How do you figure? I don’t think anything near 100A gets to the battery from the alternator, that would be a huge fire hazard and battery life destroyer. I’m certain there is a inline LED, just like any common battery tender/charger, to prevent back feeding.

ETA everything I’m seeing in the googlebox says maximum recommended amperage for lead acid 12V is 10 amps for longevity. Looks like some alternators can push 50-60 amps to charge the batteries but it also sounds like there is a regulator/controller.

Ok lets assume your 10 amps figure is correct. Do yo think putting 10 amps into a boost pack in place a battery is smart.

It almost seem like your advocating for that.

 

[sea2summit]

Ok lets assume your 10 amps figure is correct. Do yo think putting 10 amps into a boost pack in place a battery is smart.

It almost seem like your advocating for that.

Reread my post, I’m sure it’s protected. But you put out 100A which is what started the question. I’m genuinely curious about your thoughts but it seems like your just making up imaginary problems at this point.

 

[Snobdds]

Reread my post, I’m sure it’s protected. But you put out 100A which is what started the question. I’m genuinely curious about your thoughts but it seems like your just making up imaginary problems at this point.

Well modern day alternators put out 100amps, I know that's not imaginary. I have no idea what wizard circuitry each individual car has to regulate that, but common sense says there is some significant amps being put back into the battery via the battery cables. More than a USB port can put into the jump pack, no?

You key'd into the 100amp figure and it all went to fact check mode for you instead of seeing the larger point.

 

[sea2summit]

I have no idea what wizard circuitry each individual car

Could have saved us all a lot of time if you would have started with that.

 

[LouNY]

How do you figure? I don’t think anything near 100A gets to the battery from the alternator, that would be a huge fire hazard and battery life destroyer. I’m certain there is a inline LED, just like any common battery tender/charger, to prevent back feeding.

ETA everything I’m seeing in the googlebox says maximum recommended amperage for lead acid 12V is 10 amps for longevity. Looks like some alternators can push 50-60 amps to charge the batteries but it also sounds like there is a regulator/controller.

You might be surprised if you put a clamp on amp meter on the alternator wire to the battery, or just feel how hot that wire gets.
If you jumpstart a vehicle with an almost dead battery and then bring the rpm up around 3000 rpm you can hear those batteries and smell the gases.
There are many vehicles and tractors with 150 amp alternators and larger.

 

[JohnP3616]

I was thinking of putting a 20V Dewalt jumper on my Christmas list, since I already have the batteries, but I’m rethinking that. I’m not sure I want to expose them to our summer Texas heat in a vehicle. And Dewalt may not be the best option anyway. I’m thinking maybe a NOCO 1200 amp is a better option.

 

[Duds13]

Amazon had some great deals on Hulkman stuff for Black Friday. I have their sigma 5 trickle charger but ordered their Sigma 1 since it was 68% off. I also have the Alpha 85 jumpstarter and that is on sale still.