12 volt jump pack (Opinions?)
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 117
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From: Southern Minnesota
12 volt jump pack (Opinions?)
im looking to buy a 12 volt jump pack but there is alot of them out there i would just like to know if the more amps really helps (i heard the more amps they have the dont last as long) or does less amps do the trick i want one that will start full size trucks with no problem thanks
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 327
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From: Midwest
My personal experience with those was pretty negative. The shop I worked at had several, and they worked poorly. Unless you kept them plugged in all of the time, they didn't hold a charge for very long (i.e. carrying one with you wouldn't work well). And if you kept it plugged in, it would gradually overcharge the battery and burn it up.
We had far better luck just taking a loose deep cell 12V battery and a set of jumper cables, and making a box for the battery to be carried in. Throw a charger on it after you use it, and otherwise, don't worry about it much. If you wanted to be perfect, you could put a battery maintainer on there as well.
We had far better luck just taking a loose deep cell 12V battery and a set of jumper cables, and making a box for the battery to be carried in. Throw a charger on it after you use it, and otherwise, don't worry about it much. If you wanted to be perfect, you could put a battery maintainer on there as well.
New User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
I've had several .. I won't comment on amps/power, but I would recommend getting one w/a little air compressor. I know they look/sound crappy, but I find it useful and have never had a problem (w/the compressor) . For small tires, toys, etc., it works fine , and is easier than dragging a real one around.
Also, get one where the charger wont boil it ; Smart, or Automatic, or Whatever.
hope this helps
ps. first time poster/long time lurker . this site is Great. thanks.
Also, get one where the charger wont boil it ; Smart, or Automatic, or Whatever.
hope this helps
ps. first time poster/long time lurker . this site is Great. thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 726
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From: Silverdale, WA.
I have had good luck with mine, it is a 900 ca pack with the light, 12v power port and compressor. The jump pack has been used for quite a while on our family farm to start diesel dumptrucks and tractors with good success. It easily turns over the 3208 cat in my dads L8000 dump even if the battery is almost completely dead. I have used mine to start multiple 350's and a pontiac 400 in junker cars around my friends house on a single charge. The model I have is available for under a hundred bucks at sam's club. It came with the smart charger. My friend with the junk cars has a 400ca pack that isn't really powerful enough to do much of that... and no extra stuff on it
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: State of Misery (Missouri
Originally Posted by FarmLaw
My personal experience with those was pretty negative. The shop I worked at had several, and they worked poorly. Unless you kept them plugged in all of the time, they didn't hold a charge for very long (i.e. carrying one with you wouldn't work well). And if you kept it plugged in, it would gradually overcharge the battery and burn it up.
We had far better luck just taking a loose deep cell 12V battery and a set of jumper cables, and making a box for the battery to be carried in. Throw a charger on it after you use it, and otherwise, don't worry about it much. If you wanted to be perfect, you could put a battery maintainer on there as well.
We had far better luck just taking a loose deep cell 12V battery and a set of jumper cables, and making a box for the battery to be carried in. Throw a charger on it after you use it, and otherwise, don't worry about it much. If you wanted to be perfect, you could put a battery maintainer on there as well.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA.
I bought one at Costco for about $60. It has the cables, 12V port, light & compressor.. So far it's been great.. When we had the fires out here & lost power for 3 days, it kept my 12V TV running so I didn't miss out on Monday Night Football 
The compressor is kinda wimpy, but so are my current tires, so that's not a big deal to me.. I keep it behind my truck seat & have jumped 3 batteries between recharges.. I take it out about once a month & plug it in overnight..
I mainly use it to run 12V accessories like a 12V drop light & 12V fan that I use while fishing the canals. I run the fan all night to keep air moving & the mosquitos away & use the drop light so I don't have to light a lantern when the fish are on. I can usually use it all weekend & it's hardly drained..
Hope this helps..
Russ
The compressor is kinda wimpy, but so are my current tires, so that's not a big deal to me.. I keep it behind my truck seat & have jumped 3 batteries between recharges.. I take it out about once a month & plug it in overnight..
I mainly use it to run 12V accessories like a 12V drop light & 12V fan that I use while fishing the canals. I run the fan all night to keep air moving & the mosquitos away & use the drop light so I don't have to light a lantern when the fish are on. I can usually use it all weekend & it's hardly drained..
Hope this helps..
Russ
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 489
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From: Between Shelby / Avoca Ia
I have had a Solar 12 / 24 volt booster pac for 5 years. It lives in my toolbox. I have used it to start semis in the dead of winter without fail. It is great around the farm to start equipment that has been stored. It gets plugged in for a few hours after use and has always been fully charged when I grabbed it to go start something.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 2
From: Between Shelby / Avoca Ia
Originally Posted by Ruckus
Do you know where I would find the Solar 12/24 volt booster to purchase?Thanks!
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SOL-ES1224.html
I bought mine at the Tool Shed in Omaha to replace a smaller pac.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,322
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From: Northeast Ohio
Does $312 sound about right?Also, about how long are the booster cables?This looks like a much better unit than most at discount stores.Thank You Very Much for taking the time to point me in the right direction!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Northern Va
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 2
From: Between Shelby / Avoca Ia
The Truck pac has longer and heavier leads than the 12 volt Booster Pacs. The Leads are 60" and have Molded Plastic clamps with diecast jaw pads. The plastic clamps are actually a good thing as you can get on the starter terminals and not contact frame rails, etc. The other feature I like is the switch which I think it is what keeps the pac from loosing its charge when stored.
Yes, this is the lowest price I have seen lately and with free shipping. I have purchased OTC pullers and equipment from The Tool Warehouse, they were good to work with and ship orders same day.
If you want, type es1224 into Yahoo and compare prices.
Yes, this is the lowest price I have seen lately and with free shipping. I have purchased OTC pullers and equipment from The Tool Warehouse, they were good to work with and ship orders same day.
If you want, type es1224 into Yahoo and compare prices.
Last edited by jbullfrog; Mar 24, 2005 at 10:11 PM.