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Last December I purchased a portable battery pack with a jump start capability for my truck. I’ve always carried jumper cables in my personal vehicles but Murphy’s law dictates no one will be around when you need a jump.
I had been researching these products for a few months and finally decided this one would be a good choice.
http://www.batterychargers.com/sl1316/
I found it on sale at my local home improvement center and I purchased a second one for my oldest son as a Christmas gift. Fast forward to this past Monday and I had the unique opportunity to assist an LE Officer whose patrol car wouldn’t start. As he was rolling out his jumper cables, I grabbed the battery pack I offered to help. I was pleased to see the battery still had 100% charge after nearly 4 months. I took a minute to attach the clamps and the car turned right over on the first try.
With a happy deputy back on patrol, a few bystanders inquired about the battery pack as they had never seen one and were impressed how well it worked.
So my question is, who else has one of these units in their vehicle and have you had the opportunity to use it yet?
I have these in each vehicle and I also have full sized models in the trucks.
My experience with these small Lithium Battery powered versions has been about 50% success honestly but the older school units with big batteries work every time for me.
They are good to have for what they are and mine also can be used as 12v or 5v power packs which is handy and they also have crappy flashlights built-in that work better than having no light at all but for emergency use ultimately I just do not trust them like the older style packs.Yes! I have a diesel VW jetta. They tend to start a bit hard when it gets below about 15°F. Right now I have that squared away pretty well with Diesel Heat additive and a REALLY good battery. But there’s been times when I’ve been stranded out in the sticks in subfreezing weather. Really, even if you have a great starting car, all it takes it to leave lights/fan/radio on.
Get the lithium one. They’re light, small, and don’t significantly self discharge.
I don’t store the lithium power packs because for starters, I will probably lose the cable to it. Second, you’re not really supposed to store lithium batteries at full capacity. Doing so puts them under stress, which is why they are usually shipped at 50 to 75% capacity. Storing them under full capacity will shorten the life span and significantly lessen the number of charge/re-charge cycles. Which is why I use a full size lead acid jump starter, because you are supposed to top them off once a month. I’ll EDC one when temps are significantly below freezing, then take it out and store it in the garage. I just top it off once a month.
I have one of these in each of my 2 vehicles –
Noco Genius BoostPlus Compact Lithium-Ion Jump Starter — 1000 Amps, Model# GB40Had them for about 3-4 years now and still jump both subarus. Used it 2 weeks ago when one battery died in the garage this winter to get my car to the shop for a new one.
Also can charge your phone, has a flashlight and strobe options. Got them after working for a roadside service dispatching company.
I have the ones from Costco, have one in each vehicle, and one strapped on my motorcycle.saved me or someone else numerous times
#8 Hunter Don, Mar 8, 2018
herosemblem, Blackbeagle and Tixx like this.I have a cobra and a DB POWER . Have used both over twenty times with 100% success. I was skeptical of them at first, but I wouldn’t go without one now.
I have 2 Anker units in my car/truck.
A 400amp in my 4 cylinder and a 600amp in my 6 cylinder truck.
Has helped me out when my battery started to die and I have help a lot of other folks.Highly recommend them! I also carry cables but now why use them?
Lateck,
I have the ones from Costco, have one in each vehicle, and one strapped on my motorcycle.saved me or someone else numerous times
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I’ve got one on a motorcycle too, I can recharge it whilst on the move because my top box came with a ciggy socket mounted inside.For years, started when they were big seal leaded acid batteries. Living out in the sticks the nobody around when you need a boost is even greater. Also useful when the tractor is miles in the woods where only an atv can reach. Even worse when the atv is back there and nobody is around.
Made the swap to lithium packs and don’t regret it. I do make sure it doesn’t sit for long periods of time unused. It’s not that hard to remember to charge a laptop or something with it to keep it cycled but more often than not something on the farm needs boosting.
A booster and a real jack (not the death trap excuse modern vehicles come with) are always in whatever I’m driving.
I keep a sealed lead-acid jumpstarter in each car; it’s the 18Ah model that Costco sells. It has a compressor and an area light, as well as 12V cigarette lighter and 5V USB outputs along with short battery cables. The newest version also has a 120VAC inverter that I haven’t used. You have to charge them every month and after each use, they have around a 3-4 year useful life. I’ve used them for rescuing others and for self-rescue and they work great. Both cars always have jumper cables but this is far easier and faster. It also lets me do things like charge cellphones, ham radios, and so on.
I was looking at some of these a while back. I didn’t purchase one due to mixed reviews on whether or not it would work for my truck.
I drive a 2003 Toyota Tundra 4×4 with a V8 engine. Does anybody have any experience using these devices with similar vehicles?
I was looking at some of these a while back. I didn’t purchase one due to mixed reviews on whether or not it would work for my truck.
I drive a 2003 Toyota Tundra 4×4 with a V8 engine. Does anybody have any experience using these devices with similar vehicles?
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Yes, no problem with V8 gas engines, at least with the one I have. I’d be wary of any that are a lot smaller.
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