Was thinking of getting a jump box

[Joshua Nichols]

I was thinking of buying one of those jump boxes.. Just in case we run the battery down listening to the radio.. We are not running any power amps or any of that junk, but it's always in the back of my mind it could happen.. Then what a mess.. So I was wondering if anyone has bought one that was a good one.. I need one that will have enough to crank the engine.. We use to have these little dinky things at work that would just about start anything short of a diesel.. I figure one would be a good investment to carry on the boat and to have around the house.. What you think?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

I have mixed feelings. It depends if the battery has ever let you down. A nice jump box will set you back as much as another battery. I would consider a second battery on a perko switch or a set of jumper cables to carry along. The life of a jump box is ???? I really do not know but all it is ...... a rechargeable battery that is not wired in.

Many things would have an impact on my decision such as common other boat traffic..... then I would carry cables

 

[wifisher]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

A good jumper pack is a wonderful thing. It is a lot easier than cables. You can take it anywhere, and it will start almost anything. I have one, and it is great. I'm not sure that I would get one just to carry on a boat. I do repair work, and get things in all the time with dead batteries. If I was only looking at a boat, I think it would be cheaper and easier to just put in a second battery.
How many times do you use jumper cables in a year? If it is worth the money to you for the convenience, then by all means, go and buy one.

 

[repo-man]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

i like having a jump box. i use them alot at work. from what i can tell if u buy a nice one they last a long time. if u buy one less than a hundred bucks it really isnt worth it because they run down fast and dont last more than a year with any kind of frequent use

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

My dad has a jump box that is now 6 years old, it still works.. I got mine at wally world, it was around $80.. has led lights on it, an air compressor, and a USB port for charging cell phones. During the winter it's in the trunk of the car, during the summer it's in the boat. I've never had to use it yet, but I feel better having it there just in case. I charge it every couple months.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

I was faced with the same decision. I decided to go with a second battery and a Perko switch. Glad I did.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

Jump Start boxes are only useful if they are fully charged -- especially if you are attempting to start a V6 or V8 I/O. If this boat happens to be an outboard, of less than about 90 HP, did you know that most of them can be rope started?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

Jump Start boxes are only useful if they are fully charged -- especially if you are attempting to start a V6 or V8 I/O. If this boat happens to be an outboard, of less than about 90 HP, did you know that most of them can be rope started?

Yes..Use to rope start my 65hp... I don't think I will be getting away with that on the 4.3l V6 I really didn't wanta have to rig up another battery.Weight and space. How much radio time should I get on my deep cycle with no trouble? I might be worrying over nothing

 

[scipper77]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

If I were to buy a jump box I would have to make sure it is charged up fully before every outing or it would be useless. If you don't mind the extra maintenance item then I'd say go for it.

I personally charge my battery before every outing already just for piece of mind. My old battery is getting replaced this year. It still works, but lately (end of last season) the boat is cranking a little more than it should before it starts. I'll keep the old one as a backup and keep it charged as well.

A dead battery is to simple of a thing to ruin your day. How many times have you seen someone holding up a lane at the boat launch because there battery died trying to start the boat??

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

I've had one for a few years and it's great. The nice thing is that's it's portab\le. I've taken it on the boat, on RV trips, To work. No real maintenance in it. Plug it in overnight once a month.

Second batteries in a boat are nice, but they are a fixed asset to the boat. No varibility to it.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

Second batteries in a boat are nice, but they are a fixed asset to the boat. No varibility to it.

That's what I was thinking.. I figure I could use it for other things..

 

[MRS]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

I have one also take on camp trips when we dry camp with the atv's have used it to jump start the motorhome once when the start battery died. And have started other folks trucks that ran there radios all night people we did not know them they came walking in to ask for a jump hop on the atv with the box and it has worked so far every time. Plus run the sirius radio off it and that pulls a ton of power so is only good for maybe six hours max total. I do carry in the boat but so far never had to use it for the boat....

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Was thinking of getting a jump box

We had one of these POS harbor freight ones at a shop I worked at.I don't think it came from there but looked just like their's. Man it worked pretty good.Had it for years. The cables where kinda short for using on the tractors.. But the dang thing would start anything seems like.. We used the tar out of it..
For $50 I may just roll down there and get one.. Pretty sure it will crank my little v6 and fit under my seat

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html?p=3