Jump Packs

[Bill in IL]

I was thinking about getting a jump pack for dad this x-mas. How good are these things really. I have seen them used with cars but how about on tractors or even on a semi tractor? Does anyone have a recommendation on a particular model? How many years of use can one expect to get from the batteries?

Thanks in advance... Bill

 

[glennster]

we have a couple jump packs here at the shop. one is about 6 years old, the other is about 3. the older one is from the matco tool truck. the new one from napa. the new one has a chip in it to read a good connection before it turns the battery on. it will not jump a stone dead battery, it needs to read a little voltage. they both work good and last a long time. i dont know if it will have enough oomph to start a diesel.

 

[Brokenwrench]

I also have two here at the shop. One has a dual drycell battery (snap-on), about 9 yrs old. The batteries finally gave up, snap-on wanted an arm and a leg for the batteries, so I got them from batteries plus for about a fourth the price. This one works great, but is pretty spendy to buy new.

I picked up another one to take with on trips at Sam`s for $40. It has a little air compressor on it as well. I have used it here at the shop to see how it worked. Seemed to work fine just charges down faster.

I have used them both on diesels, one on each battery, and have started them. I don`t think you could get enough crank to spin over a 24 volt system like in a semi tractor though.

A jumper pack is handy to have around, saves having to drag out an extension cord an a charger. I think for under $100 you could get a petty good one. Good luck BW

 

[RobMD]

If you have a lot of old tractors sitting around with weak batteries, it is IDEAL.

 

[John T]

They are like most tool products out there, you get what you pay for and what you are buying is energy storage (i.e. in battery form) but unfortunately I dont see much meaningful label data as far as their Amp Hour capacity, so its hard to tell just what youre getting. The cheap Buffalo Forge or Big Lots model might jump start a rubber chicken but thats about it while a quality one (more amp hrs of energy storage) will do a better job of starting say a weaker battery in a bigger engine vehicle.

John T

 

[Anonymous-0]

Dad bought a Napa jump pack, and it didn't last only a couple of years before it wouldn't take a charge anymore. It was stored in the house, and wasn't left around uncharged, but it didn't last long. Only used it a few times so it turned out to be a disappointment. Maybe if you bought one of the more expensive ones, it would last longer, but the one dad bought I think was a middle of the road jump pack. This one had the battery pack made into the unit, so when it wouldn't take a charge anymore, I had to toss the whole thing. I think a quality set of regular booster cables are a much better and more reliable deal, rather than something you got to fuss with making sure it stays charged and store in a safe place. They are handy when they work, but like someone else said, they won't work on a battery thats totally dead, but regular booster cables will. If I got a tractor somewheres where I can't get a vehicle in to use booster cables, I'll use a battery charger on an extension cord, so those expensive jump packs really aren't needed.

 

[TimV]

Got a cheapie $40 one from the local hardware store for my folks a couple of years ago. They use it all the time on the farm--with a dozen or so rigs of various descriptions around, the odds are better than average that one of them is going to be dead when you go to use it. With a battery pack, you never have to drag out the charger or try to maneuver another vehicle into jumper cable range. Mine also has a small compressor, an auxilary power port (cigarette ligher type) and a small light on it. While the compressor isn't going to blow up large tires (at least not in a reasonable time frame--I use it on larger tires only when no other method is feasible), it works great for trailer tires and such, which always seem to go flat when they're parked in the most inaccessible place imaginable. One thing to watch out for--cheaper ones usually have short cables, which can be an issue on cars or tractors (such as my Super C) that have the battery buried under a bunch of gunk.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I got mine about 5 yrs ago from Home Depot. I've jumped my tractors several times from it and once a stranded guy in a new Cadillac at Wal Mart parking lot. I've never tried a diesel with it though.

 

[Chris Vangel]

I had a brand name unit called a Jump and Carry. It was professional grade and I used it constantly as an auto mechanic for 5 years. At that time, someone decided they liked it better than I did.

The model 4000 provides 1100 CCA and the model 660 provides 1700 CCA. I highly recommend these units, I never had an issue with it and neither did any of the other guys in my dealership. I got mine off the tool truck, but there are several on ebay, approximately $80-$130.

Chris.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have one I got at O'reillys 5 yrs ago. used it on construction equip til I retired the used it on commercial diesel mowers. Worked good but wouldn't start my 92 7.3 Ford service truck. $300+ . Just bought a 12 and 24 unit at Napa for $472. will spin that 7.3 with dead batteries. Have started an 855 cummins w/dead batteries. First one still works, just don't have as much power and don't hold a charge as long. I buy and rebuild commercial equip in large numbers, so I use them both a bunch.

 

[RayP(MI)]

Kids got me a cheapie from TSC. Has done suprisingly well. Find I use it for auxilliary lighting, such as temporary lights on wagons, and spotlights far more than starting vehicles. Handy device.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Most of them use the same gel cell battery so its hard to say one is better than the other.You cant leave them laying around uncharged.My friend bought his when his service truck needed a boost and a fellow used one start the truck.He came from a service station across the street and charged 35.00.My pack fits behind the seat of my pickup.Very handy tool back in the woods where there are no battery chargers or extension cords.