Am I the only one paranoid about giving people a jump start?

[portypota]

I have heard both sides, but with a Gooloo costing like $60 at different sale times of the year, I am not sure why everyone doesn't just go that route.

That must be the Gooloo 2000, pretty small and after you factor in degradation, and not being at peak power on the day it is needed, doubt it would work for me. I have seen the GP3000 which retails at $120 on sale for $80. Here is what I found somewhere about the different kinds.

- LP (Lithium Polymer) has a short lifespan with convenient packaging, and is the least stable lithium.
- LI (ithium Ion) has a longer lifespan and can handle deep discharges for a thousand cycles.
- LFP aka Lithium Iron is the latest and least available with double the LI cycles.

Tool batteries have LI, and occasionally one will last 3 years, so don't share much hope for the LP used in jump starters lasting that long.

FWIW, I share exhaustgases concern about lithium in general, but impossible to get by without them, they are in everything, even disposables like e-cigs..

 

[brandon9715]

The question was should I give a stranger a jump. My suggestion is buy a $60 jump pack that will work 99% of the time, all but the most unique problems solved. They hold a charge a very long time. Easy to keep charged. 80% of Americans live in areas that do not see extreme cold ever

You can carry both if you like?

Did you not read my post? I said to carry both.

 

[SC Maintenance]

That must be the Gooloo 2000, pretty small and after you factor in degradation, and not being at peak power on the day it is needed, doubt it would work for me. I have seen the GP3000 which retails at $120 on sale for $80. Here is what I found somewhere about the different kinds.

- LP (Lithium Polymer) has a short lifespan with convenient packaging, and is the least stable lithium.
- LI (ithium Ion) has a longer lifespan and can handle deep discharges for a thousand cycles.
- LFP aka Lithium Iron is the latest and least available with double the LI cycles.

Tool batteries have LI, and occasionally one will last 3 years, so don't share much hope for the LP used in jump starters lasting that long.

FWIW, I share exhaustgases concern about lithium in general, but impossible to get by without them, they are in everything, even disposables like e-cigs..

The 4000 is on sale all the time. I put that in an earlier post. But yes I wouldn’t buy smaller.

A good set of cables is more than $100 now also.

 

[Astro14]

The 4000 is on sale all the time. I put that in an earlier post. But yes I wouldn’t buy smaller.

A good set of cables is more than $100 now also.

I’ve been able to buy NOCO jump packs (GB40) on sale on Amazon many times for a good price. In fact, I have a spare GB40 right now, bought on sale, just to have an extra. I’ve got an GB70 for the S600 and the SL600 because of their huge batteries and heavy electrical demand. If it’s dead, it will need a strong jump pack.

Every car I own has both a NOCO jump pack (except the Tundra, which has a SLA jump pack) and a good set of pure copper cables, not the cheap crap copper clad aluminum cables that are sold nowadays.

Deka 4 gauge 16 foot cables. About $100 on Amazon. In a nice bag from Bucket Boss.

Every single car. When I gave my kids their cars (all Volvos, of course), they had those Deka cables, in a bucket boss bag, along with a proper wheel bolt socket (19mm for Volvo) and breaker bar, and a set of simple tools. The NOCO was added later for my daughter’s 2002 V70 (which I gave her in 2016) and was included in all the rest.

To be clear, I am not “anti-cable” and the cables I have are the best quality, and work the best, but the NOCO is my go-to for some sketchy car from a stranger that asks for help. Again, not putting my car at risk with an unknown electric system and a big voltage drop across my alternator/battery. It’s about managing risk for me and my car.

So, for example, a friend’s 4 year old Audi wouldn’t start when he was at the hospital with his wife, who was having surgery. He called me. I showed up with the Tundra - we used the Deka cables. It was the starter on his car anyway, so, I gave him a ride as his car got towed, but the point is - I’m willing to use cables - when appropriate - and I carry good ones, not the junk that is common.

About six years ago, when my daughter was still in medical school, her friend’s late model car would not start. She grabbed the NOCO from her ancient Volvo, and got her friend started. She and I discussed options, NOCO v. Cables.

The NOCO is simpler for the non-mechanically-inclined medical student - it is self-protecting and easy to use - and it worked in a St. Louis hospital garage in winter. She has had a couple “saves” as she call them, with her NOCO.

 

[jeepman3071]

If someone offered to jump me with jumper cables I would say thanks but no thanks. It's not that I think jumper cables are dangerous, it's just that someone using jumper cables in 2024 is a red flag.

I used to think that, but both of my vehicles currently only have jumper cables in them. I do have a jump pack I take with me on longer trips, but I don't carry one every day, since the previous one I owned (Harbor Freight) got so hot it melted the case just sitting in the garage.

 

[SC Maintenance]

4500 A Gooloo is currently $64 at walmart.com

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GOOLOO-C...ED-Light-Powerful/3568867065?adsRedirect=true

 

[billt460]

Something seems a bit off. I say this because this is the Gooloo GP4000, and they run right around $149.00 to $179.00 depending. They claim it's good for up to a 10.0L Diesel.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/mobile/mi...a14-cee3e4cfdb9b&pd_rd_w=y3PCx&pd_rd_wg=4Czk5

 

[JHZR2]

The NOCO G70s would like to have a word with you sir.

Yet it will degrade from the day you buy it. It’s a consumable. Battery cables last forever.

I’d be more concerned about the long term safety and the degradation of a Li-ion pack in the hot sun, than the potential for cables and connections damaging something.

That said, I’d disconnect the starter battery if helping someone.

If at home I’ll use a real 120v powered battery charger.

 

[D60]

Yet it will degrade from the day you buy it. It’s a consumable. Battery cables last forever.

I’d be more concerned about the long term safety and the degradation of a Li-ion pack in the hot sun, than the potential for cables and connections damaging something.

That said, I’d disconnect the starter battery if helping someone.

If at home I’ll use a real 120v powered battery charger.

Also I think fancy math is used for jump packs. My basic 120V charger claims "200A engine start" but it will crank anything (gas, never tried diesel) like a brand new battery where jumper packs falter.

Anyway, just an observation. Back to the topic.......

 

[SC Maintenance]

Yet it will degrade from the day you buy it. It’s a consumable. Battery cables last forever.

I’d be more concerned about the long term safety and the degradation of a Li-ion pack in the hot sun, than the potential for cables and connections damaging something.

That said, I’d disconnect the starter battery if helping someone.

If at home I’ll use a real 120v powered battery charger.

I agree the Li-Po battery is likely good for 5 years, maybe a little more - then you throw it away. To be clear, I also own cables, but I am not jumping anyone I don't know. I am certainly not removing their starter cable.

I saw a guy ask someone to jump start them at a gas station. They were guiding them into position and there was a small collision - scratched a fender. A dispute ensued. It was getting heated when I was leaving.

Also, what if I pull up with my cables then the guy being jumped insists on being the one hooking things up. Sure, I can just drive away, but again, I am now in a possibility of a dispute. Have you been paying attention to the crazies around?

I realize these are likely extreme cases, But this is not a thread about jumping your grandma's car. Its about jumping a strangers. $60 for a charger every few years seems worth it to me. If its not to others I completely understand - to each their own.

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

I will give someone a boost, but I won’t help them if they get stuck in the snow ( almost got hit by other cars before ) in the ditch.

I do find it annoying that 99% of people I have given a jump start admit they never changed their battery.

Last time I gave someone a boost, I initially tried to avoid them in the parking lot when I saw the driver looking for help. My wife and I were going to a movie but my conscious bothered me when we got our seats so I sent back out and gave the young driver a boost ( someone else was trying but didn’t know how to do it ).

I am not paranoid, I just get irritated when people do not maintain their cars and then need help ( yes, not in all cases ).

5 years max for batteries in my cars.

 

[jeepman3071]

I will give someone a boost, but I won’t help them if they get stuck in the snow ( almost got hit by other cars before ) in the ditch.

I do find it annoying that 99% of people I have given a jump start admit they never changed their battery.

Last time I gave someone a boost, I initially tried to avoid them in the parking lot when I saw the driver looking for help. My wife and I were going to a movie but my conscious bothered me when we got our seats so I sent back out and gave the young driver a boost ( someone else was trying but didn’t know how to do it ).

I am not paranoid, I just get irritated when people do not maintain their cars and then need help ( yes, not in all cases ).

5 years max for batteries in my cars.

Keep in mind the average driver no matter what age these days seems to only know how to put gas in their car and drive it.

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

Keep in mind the average driver no matter what age these days seems to only know how to put gas in their car and drive it.

True but I think a lot of it is just because they have zero interest and just hope for the best until they have a problem ( some are too cheap also to do preventative maintenance ).

My own father did not believe in brining cars in for service, unless something was broken. He thought I was wasting my money.

Never seen so many knowledgeable about smart phones and phone plans though.

Priorities.

Edit: Young driver I can understand but I have problems with adults who have been driving a long time.

Also, newer cars tell owners when its time to change the oil ( but they have to open and read the owners manul to learn they still need to check oil levels ) and when its due for maintenace. They no longer have any excuses.

Even ultra low social status cars like Honda Civics since 2006 have had lights that come on the dash telling owners its time for an oil change and preventative maintenance. That light starts flashing if you ignore it.

 

[dubber09]

I carry a small battery tester and would connect to suspect batt first to decide whether to do a jump start. Only helped a handful of struggles in my lifetime but never had an issue, never had to refuse assistance.

 

[HowAboutThis]

Jump packs are cheap. AAA isn't a bad deal. If you use the hotel discounts, and NAPA discount (among others) a few times you'll pay for most of your annual expense. In this day and age you really shouldn't need someone to jump you.

 

[4WD]

I have a Noco and cables and tools and recovery kit etc - plug kits - compressor - First Aid and more - but just like that 9500# winch on the front - the odds are they are for somebody else - and I don’t mind - I was helped by older guys when young & numb …

 

[Dave9]

If you guys want to keep a Li-Ion jump pack in your vehicle, then you are taking your own risks. I'd much rather risk the very small chance that the donor vehicle had an overvolting alternator, than the risk that my jump pack decided to burst into flames, in my garage in my home while I'm sleeping, or anywhere really. I do have a couple jump packs, though one is an old lead acid type and they both live on a metal shelf in my garage, not in a vehicle. My garage never gets above 105F and usually not that high, but cars sitting outdoors in summer do. The risk is small, but it is worse to me to have whole vehicle or home go up in flames, than to have to pay $100 to pull an ECM off a junkyard vehicle and maybe another $150 to have it programmed if needed.

I'll use jumper cables to jump anyone in a populated public place, but not isolated on the side of the road at night, with the caveat that I'm the one hooking up the cable at both ends. Granted, I am reasonably familiar with my vehicles and frequent owner forums for them, and if there were a clear indication that the vehicles were particularly vulnerable to jump starting, then I wouldn't, but would not just assume the risk is enough to be a deterrent without evidence about that specific vehicle.

Hydrogen explosion is nearly impossible. It happens when hydrogen builds up due to overcharging for more than a little while, in a very poorly ventilated space with an enclosed ceiling, or multiple batteries actively taking a high charge rate. Hydrogen is 14X lighter than air. It's just not going to happen with a vehicle not running, not actively charging ahead of time, sitting outside with the hood open because it was stranded. I'd bet my life on it, no reservations firing up a bic lighter right next to a battery in that situation, unless I smelled gasoline.

Lastly I occasionally read about counterfeit this and counterfeit that, but what if your jumper pack is counterfeit and the arguable amount of safety you thought you had, isn't so great? I'd feel more comfortable with the greatly reduced fire hazard from an LiFePO4 based jumper pack... but if it were counterfeit, you can't even assume that. I don't store Li-Ion tool batteries/etc in my vehicles either. I appreciate the risk is small but the outcome of a failure can be large.

 

[billt460]

How many fires have been attributed to jumper power packs blazing up?

 

[svtrit]

I jumped a lady’s car once while working in college as a parts changer at a tire and exhaust shop. While jumping her with our battery on a hand truck and jumper cables, a spark plug blew out and she said it was my fault. The store manager (retail store chain we locally called Farm and Barn, but you can guess) blamed me as well.

I found new work 2 weeks later by my own choice. I’ve not jumped anyone but family since.

 

[gfh77665]

Son and I were down in Corpus Christi a few weeks ago. We park near the Lex just behind a frustrated guy with the hood raised on his Lingenfelter C7. We get out and ask the guy whats wrong. He thinks his battery is dead, so I jump off his Lingenfelter C7 with my Ford Fiesta. Think about that, LOL.

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