does anyone keep a jump starter in their vehicle(s)?

Azure said:
I always think if I had one, I'll just get out somewhere and need it and it won't be charged up and ready when I go to grab it. How often do you have to check/recharge devices like these? Also, would you have to cycle the battery, meaning run it down and charge it to full?
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They hold a charge for a long time. The one I use can start about 20 cars on a full charge.
 
oneheadlite said:
1st off - Oh man, that's a lotta big heavy parts... (my day job = regular car repair)

2nd - You use the NOCO jump boxes? That's quite the accreditation. I'll have to keep them in mind if I get another one in the future.
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Yeap. I actually work for Penske and that’s how I came across this brand. I previously had a different brand that I purchased from my MAC distributor and it gave up on me less than a year into owning it. I now have 3 of these!
 
GREAT idea, Visitor! Thanks for sharing it.

My wife's car always has jumper cables in the trunk but the independence of not needing a good samaritin nearby is even better.

Plus, the infrequent but occassional customer vehicles that die because i left the doors open doing interiors...

Again, great idea and fairly economical too.
 
Azure said:
I always think if I had one, I'll just get out somewhere and need it and it won't be charged up and ready when I go to grab it. How often do you have to check/recharge devices like these? Also, would you have to cycle the battery, meaning run it down and charge it to full?
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Since it's a lithium battery, you don't need to worry about cycling it. I bring her jump pack in and charge it each fall. It will have lost a very small amount of charge from just sitting (1 out of 5 bars). Thankfully/unfortunately I can't vouch for how well it works because I haven't actually had to use it to jump anything yet. :o
 
oneheadlite said:
Since it's a lithium battery, you don't need to worry about cycling it. I bring her jump pack in and charge it each fall. It will have lost a very small amount of charge from just sitting (1 out of 5 bars). Thankfully/unfortunately I can't vouch for how well it works because I haven't actually had to use it to jump anything yet. :o
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i was at home once, and my bike needed to be jumped....rather than put it on the tender, I used this as an opportunity just to get the hang of it, and to make sure I could do it if needed....turns out, I didn't have the tool on my bike to access the battery, so I'm glad I learned that....mine hasn't been charged in a year, I'll throw a charge on it before I leave for ND next week....the most use I've gotten from it has been charging my phone
 
Lance Mark said:
i was at home once, and my bike needed to be jumped....rather than put it on the tender, I used this as an opportunity just to get the hang of it, and to make sure I could do it if needed....turns out, I didn't have the tool on my bike to access the battery, so I'm glad I learned that....mine hasn't been charged in a year, I'll throw a charge on it before I leave for ND next week....the most use I've gotten from it has been charging my phone
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Really great point. I've been meaning to add a "little" ground jumper to make it easier for the Mrs if she needed to actually use it for her car.
 
great deal (was close to getting this one) on this one right now (DBPOWER 2000amps) at $79.99 PLUS an extra $15.00 off. total = $64.99+ tax. on the big A...

this has an LED screen connected to the jumper cables, you can connect it to your battery and it will tell how much voltage it's pushing before plugging it into the jump starter.. comes with a case and has a 3 year warranty...

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I've always carried cables in my truck, but this would be a good idea to have as well.

You're pretty smart (sometimes), Allen! :laughing::poke::cheers:
 
Azure said:
I always think if I had one, I'll just get out somewhere and need it and it won't be charged up and ready when I go to grab it. How often do you have to check/recharge devices like these? Also, would you have to cycle the battery, meaning run it down and charge it to full?
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i fully charged mine right out of the box since it comes partially charged. i wrote the date (i charged it on) on a post it note and put it inside the manual/booklet so i can get an idea how long it can go without immediate use (will check it again in a month anyway). lithium ion batteries last a long time and can go months without charging. i have an electric skateboard that has lithium ion batteries (way more than a jump starter has) and it stayed charged for close to 3 months without using it in the winter. as far as electric skateboards go, the top batteries used are by samsung, panasonic, and sanyo. it's a good idea to keep it above 70% charged at all times, and i'm sure that's with any rechargeable device...
 
PaulMys said:
I've always carried cables in my truck
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i always use too as well (may keep them in the trunk still). but now that i think about it, your charge from someone else's vehicle will depend on their battery, and if their battery is weak you most likely aren't going to get a jump. at least with these jump starters it's consistent as long as you keep it charged. plus, who wants cables dragging on top of the front end on your car and potentially causing some marring/scratches/dings.. :(
 
VISITOR said:
i always use too as well (may keep them in the trunk still). but now that i think about it, your charge from someone else's vehicle will depend on their battery, and if their battery is weak you most likely aren't going to get a jump. at least with these jump starters it's consistent as long as you keep it charged. plus, who wants cables dragging on top of the front end on your car and potentially causing some marring/scratches/dings.. :(
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I always replace my battery every 3-4 years. Anything after that, and you're just asking for trouble. Especially in a cold climate.

I have never even needed my cables to jump my trucks, but I have given jumps to many people.

Those jump packs are really cool though. :)
 
Down here it seems I'm replacing my batteries every 2 years. :(
 
I have/use the same one Visitor. Used it a few times, works great...and Mrs. Sizzle has used it to charge her phone!
 
I just ordered one. Especially now that my car is 4 years old and that’s about how long the batteries last on the GTI. Hopefully it’s not an issue sitting in the trunk when it’s too hot or too cold out there.
 
Bruno Soares said:
I just ordered one. Especially now that my car is 4 years old and that’s about how long the batteries last on the GTI. Hopefully it’s not an issue sitting in the trunk when it’s too hot or too cold out there.
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you never know when you'll need it, and using it at least one time (when in dire need) will pay for itself.. :xyxthumbs: btw, keeping it the trunk (shaded) is a good idea as it doesn't get as hot compared to the inside of the car. shouldn't have a problem either way, most of the jumpers are made of (exterior) thick plastic and rubber...
 
Bruno Soares said:
I just ordered one. Especially now that my car is 4 years old and that’s about how long the batteries last on the GTI. Hopefully it’s not an issue sitting in the trunk when it’s too hot or too cold out there.
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Mine has been in a black saddle bag that often bakes in the sun on a regular basis. Last year we had it in the bag on a run from MI to TX and back. Texas was 90-95 degrees.

If heat is the sure way to do these in, I've been lucky.

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I keep one in my Minivan at all times. For some reason it drains battery often in the winter. Probably because of remote starter. It has saved me many times. If I am taking a long road trip, regardless of which car I’m driving, I will take it w me as well. Mine is a cheapo $60 duracell unit that also charges usb devices and has a light on it. Works well for me.


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