jump battery pack - how many amps

[Donald]

OK, I know the answer is the most you can carry and can afford. My HF jump pack battery with 900 peak amps is past its prime. I assume replacing just the battery is not cost effective. Let me know if someone has a good source for the batteries, shipping would the killer I assume.

I could get another new unit from HF for about $50 + tax (pickup at store).

Or I could splurge and get a monster from Schumacher. Or one in between.

I live near Albany NY so cold winters. My largest engine is a Chevy V8, but daily driver is a Jeep 6.

 

[justinf89]

If you know what size battery it is, check batteryspace.com. I imagine the shipping is pretty high on it though, but it's worth a try.

 

[Donald]

The battery is a 12v 24AH battery. Its on websites for $55 to $65 plus shipping. I believe the jump pack was a 1200 peak amps. HF no longer carries one that big. Also, I am not sure I would want one much heavier. I seems like I can get a slightly larger battery in AH that has the same footprint. One place has free shipping over $75.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Somewhat off topic: Why not just carry a jump cable ? If you open the hood and asking for a jump most people would be happy to give you a hand. This is my experience in So Cal.

 

[Donald]

I carry jumper cables. I usually don't have the jump battery in my car. Its normally in my house to start various things including my own vehicles.

 

[kilgore]

The problem is you have to mantain the charge or top off on a schedule or your jumper battery will drain over time and be dead when you need it, worse, mine sat too long discharged killing the battery. I went back to jumper cables.

 

[Donald]

I was considering using a "Battery Minder" float charger rather than the one built in. I would just connect the float charger to the large clamps and turn the power to ON. The float charger should keep it exactly charged forever?

 

[justinf89]

Depends on the battery chemistry. Most are designed for lead acid. Some jump packs have agm batteries.

 

[Donald]

So have the "jump batteries" faded away? Once thought to be a good idea that did not work out? If HF does not sell the "big" ones, what does that tell someone?

 

[spackard]

Back 20 years or so, a local hobby electronics shop carried used SLA batteries. Hospitals had to swap them out of life support equipment every year so they'd buy the used ones and offer them for sale. After several years they stopped. I assume hospitals still have to swap them out.