Jump starter/pack worth having?

I replaced the battery in my truck yesterday, and it got me thinking about whether or not a jump pack would be worth investing in. Thoughts? Brands people like?

 

Not necessary but great to have. Noco is a solid brand that's easy to use.

Jumper cables are cheap and enough if youre always in populated areas and daily drive. If you go solo, are often having to commute during dark lonely hours or leave the vehicle parked for long periods the jump starter will give you peace of mind.

 

They’re about as “necessary” as jumper cables. Your level or desired preparedness will dictate if you need one or not. Some people carry one, some people don’t. Some people carry a full set of tools in their truck and others even carry spares axles.

 

I bought the cheapest lipo jump start pack I found on Amazon.

$65 cnd doll hairs.

They work great imo. I used it many many times when I killed my battery with 12v always on mod.

 

Get a jumper pack for sure. either a lead acid based bigger pack, or a smaller lithium pack, better to have it and not need it.

I have a bigger lead acid pack for 3 reasons.
1. it was cheaper.
2. more AH capacity in the case of using it to power stuff out camping / power outage
3. being lead acid/agm/sealed acid battery if in the instance that my actual battery goes fully tits up (dropped cell etc) the jumper pack can be used to COMPLETLY replace the main battery of the truck and properly accept the running charge of the alternator and allow the truck to run correctly.

I also carry jumper cables too....

 

I’ve had great luck with the $60 one from Costco. Cheap insurance for out in the middle of nowhere/when strangers are jerks. I always carry cables too.

Got the pack after my battery died and everyone I politely asked looked at me like I was crazy and said no when I needed a jump.

Edit: I have he $60 lithium pack from Costco

 

To me yes, I have one and saved my butt after working a swing shift and battery was dead. No one was around to use my jumper cables with and my little brick started the truck and got me home.

 

$100 NOCO GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Battery Pack, Battery Booster, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 6.0L Gasoline and 3.0L Diesel Engines, Gray

NOCO GB40 comes with me everywhere I go. Easy insurance in the vast barrenness of Utah.

 

omg Matt your avatar's are the best

 

Thanks Wes

 

I've jumped my truck with my solar power system battery in the middle of the desert. If you go to places like that, it's well worth it. So is a good 12v air compressor.

 

Sure but keep in mind a jump pack will last just as long as a spare battery. It just a cheap lithium ion battery with cables.

 

I got a jump pack for Christmas once. By the time I needed to use it, it was dead.

 

I always carry a

$200 NOCO GB70 2000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Battery Booster Pack, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 8.0L Gasoline and 6.0L Diesel Engines, Gray

NOCO GB70, but they're only good if you keep them charged - which most people will not. Remember, a dead jump box won't start a dead battery.

As for jumper cables, I no longer carry them due to the risk of frying something expensive in my truck whilst attempting to help somebody I don't know. Yes, no matter how much experience you have or how careful you think you are, it is possible to hook them up wrong. And all it takes is once.

 

Lithium ion packs, yes, lead acid jump packs, no.

Like above, the lead acid jump packs fail quickly.

 

Better truck maintenance?

 

I do car stereo installs and batteries tend to die after several hours in the shop with the dome lights on and radio cutting on and off and all that. I keep a lithium jump pack and i have used it dozens of times there. I've also used my Scosche PBJ700-1 out and about for people at the grocery store and general good-neighbor help. Everything from little compacts up to f-250 diesel's. I used to keep jumper cables and the 1 time I needed them in my truck, I was on the side of the road in the pouring rain. Got lucky and a buddy was able to come help jump me off. But getting his truck facing mine, and then standing in the rain hooking up jumper cables... that was a miserable and time-consuming experience that I never want to relive. I can have the truck jumped off in about 30 seconds with these jump packs.

 

Jump n carry. Fits behind read seat perfectly. Saved me a bunch of times. Also, it’s easier to use that to help others than mess with using your own battery to jump them

 

I'm a fan of the KISS system. Keep it simple, stupid ( myself). The lead acid packs need to be on a maintenance charge every month or so. I'm an idiot and would leave them on charge all the time. This kills the battery.

The lithium ion battery packs need charged once a year and can be tossed in the glove box. They hold a charge a loooong time. In addition, they come with adapters to charge your phone, laptop or similar.

 

my jump n carry gets charged every 6 months. Usually by that time, it’s half drained.