Emergency jump starters?

[Barnacle_Bill]

I find myself needing one of those new fangled jump starters. I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't want junk either. Any recommendations?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

They are a crap shoot.... we have had alleged brand name ones and cheap ones here at the dealership. The one we have now is a ES2500 BoosterPac and it has been working great for over a year. It was a middle of the road type for price.

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

Dont have any advice on what to buy but can tell you to stay away from anything made by vector and/or branded Black and Decker. I worked in tech support for a couple of weeks for B & D and 90% of calls/complaints were on these products. B & D while being an excellent tool producer bought Vector in 2006 and is just now starting to oversee QC. All the product currently on the shelves has been there a while and the majority of it is already on the tailend of the batteries lifecycle even.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

I bought mine from JC Whitney and it works great. Haven't had to jump the boat battery yet, but did have to jump the Wife's car a few days ago. Battery was totally dead (left lights on) and it popped it right off with the jump box. This model was a bit high, but others recommended it, so it's what I got...

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/.../p-2011090/N-111+600000931+4294967164/c-10101

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

Dont have any advice on what to buy but can tell you to stay away from anything made by vector

Damn Ralphy, could have told me that 6 months ago. Mine works fine so far and several others have said they are decent. Oh well, we'll see what happens...

 

[JCF350]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

They are a crap shoot.... we have had alleged brand name ones and cheap ones here at the dealership. The one we have now is a ES2500 BoosterPac and it has been working great for over a year. It was a middle of the road type for price.

Bought a BoosterPac 2000 model when they first came out, used it at "LEAST" a couple times a week for 5 years. Battery inside finally gave up so I swapped it out and stuck it in my 7Kw genset for another couple years. Wasn't cheap then, something like a $140.00 or thereabouts. Excellent product.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

Got one made by shumacher about a year ago, no problems thus far; though i've only ever had to use it twice.

 

[arks]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

I bought one maybe 7 or 8 years ago at K Mart. It's labelled "Penske" and is very reliable. It even started a dead diesel F250.
A couple months ago I bought another one for the Admirals car at the boat show (from Boaters World). 400A boost- not too shabby for sixty bucks. Haven't had the "opportunity" to use it yet. Not positive, but it might be a Vector.....

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

Thanks for all the input.

 

[jimr]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

We have 2 heavy duty ones at work that we got for cornwell. I blew one up trying to jump a 24volt scraper but they warrantied it for us. we also have replaced the battery in one. Ours work great we seem to use them every day

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

If your not in the business, why would you need one of those things? If my battery is on the way out, a new battery is about half of what those gizmos cost.

I can only guess that I'm missing the point, enlighten me.

 

[new_boater]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

ever leave your lights ON

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

ever leave your lights ON

Or, the radio. Or, the depth finder. Or, any number of other things.

Or, have a 35 year old boat with the original wiring.

Or, have a Lincoln with about 3 computers on the car constantly drawing currant. If I leave it set for 3 weeks the battery goes dead. Or, own a tractor, 3 cars, a pickup, and a boat that all require a new battery every few years.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

...

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

Forgot to mention for all you vector owners or prospective owners, Black and Decker is honoring its across the board 2 year warranty on these products, so if you can prove purchase date and it carps within 2 years they will replace/repair it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Emergency jump starters?

Got mine 3 years ago. $30 from Canadian Tire store in Canada. Used it a few times to help people out and a few times on the old Windstar (now extinct)
Mainly take it out on the boat and use it to inflate and deflate the tube while we are out on the lake. Takes the risk out of using the boat battery and it always has enough left to boost the outboard if it ever becomes necessary. Lightweight as well. Recharge it while driving or from the main hydro.
Would not be without it. No idea of its capability but it did say car / minivan on the box when I bought it.