Portable Jump Starter

[HowAboutThis]

Looking into portable jump starter thingies for our two cars. Forester and Corolla. What size (amp hours I think is the measurement), brands are good, brands should we avoid, other features you all actually use (I feel like I'll just throw it in the trunk and forget about it mostly), etc. Currently looking at NOCO (expensive), heard GooLoo is good from family (???), and Harbor Freight.

Please make sure your opinions and views contradict at least one other person that's already posted so this thread can continue the tradition on BITOG

But seriously, thoughts and ideas appreciated.

 

[dogememe]

So, I’m conflicted on this… I suspect most of these come out of the same few factories using the same components.

That said, I’d go name brand so you get some chance of quality and if the lithium battery catches on fire you have someone to sue.

Noco is a good brand. Check out what Costco has if you’re a member, sometimes they have nice ones.

 

[The_Jeff]

Do you want lead acid or lithium? Lithium's where it's at, but they're really only good for "boosting."

 

[mdoan300]

GooLoo lasted a few years for me and helped jumped a few cars in those years.

Currently have the NOCO GB40. I keep it plugged in the 12v DC socket to keep it charged when driving.

 

[HowAboutThis]

Do you want lead acid or lithium? Lithium's where it's at, but they're really only good for "boosting."

Probably lithium.

Various sites, as I'm googling right now, say most will jump a couple cars but if you keep them in your hot car (because that is where you'll need it) they usually stop working after a couple years of no use or a jump or two. Anyone have opinions experience on this?

 

[dubber09]

IMHO, if car battery is on its last legs then just replace the battery and don't worry for a few years. Keep booster cables in car just in case thou. That's what I do and never needed a boost but gave a few to stranded drivers.

 

[Propflux01]

I've got two GooLoo's, and so far they are working ok as far as jumping batteries go. I've had them for 2 years now. Used probably 15 times in that period.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Nothing wrong with Gooloo, if you don't want to spend Noco money

 

[Cheetah-kins]

What's the chance a jumper could last 10 years - is it zero? I'm wanting to get one myself but am not encouraged by their lifespan. Guess I'm probably expecting too much, lol.

 

[I<3oil]

What's the chance a jumper could last 10 years - is it zero? I'm wanting to get one myself but am not encouraged by their lifespan. Guess I'm probably expecting too much, lol.

I'm on year 3 of owning one of mine, still goin strong.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Maybe check Costco; their stuff is usually a good deal.

 

[hemitom]

I have a reactor brand from home hardware( Canadian store ) . Its around 7 years old it still works the only issue is if left out in the cold now it refuses to work .
Set it on the dash with defrost blowing heat on it for a few minutes and it works .
So basically it's useless if you are stranded and no one is around.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Project farm did a test a couple years ago. The Gooloo was on top iirc. The HF ones not so much.

I have I think 4 GooLoo's after that. Helped jump many others and our family a couple times. Size varies based on what was on sale. I think 3 are the 4000A and are like 5 years old. They stay in the cars and get brought in and recharged like 2x per year, or when used.

My car has a DB Power and my son has an older Powerall IIRC.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I solved our Nissan's battery drain issue by buying a Noco.

 

[Propflux01]

What's the chance a jumper could last 10 years - is it zero? I'm wanting to get one myself but am not encouraged by their lifespan. Guess I'm probably expecting too much, lol.

If you let them go down to say, 50-70% like using them for charging, etc (most have options to charge phones and whatnot), they will last a long time. Right now mine is at 80%. Still jumps just fine.

 

[FowVay]

I have owned a Gooloo GT4000S for several years and it's been excellent. I think they cost about $100. When I bought mine I paid extra for a neat little carrying case but the case fell apart after one year and left me high and dry. I would not pay extra for the case knowing how cheaply made it is. Just keep the heavy duty shipping box to store it in.

 

[JeffKeryk]

IMO they make good Christmas presents, so there's that. Of course the best one is the one that's never used.

 

[mdoan300]

What's the chance a jumper could last 10 years - is it zero? I'm wanting to get one myself but am not encouraged by their lifespan. Guess I'm probably expecting too much, lol.

My GooLoo lasted at least 7 years before it stopped working.

 

[xspeedy]

Just look on Amazon. I know Project Farm reviewed some but these all seem extremely similar and get good reviews - around 4.5 - 4.7 stars. I went with a Black Friday deal. Just know that for some, maybe most, they require the car battery to have at least a bit of charge to work. If the battery is totally dead, you may need to put the pack into a special mode that bypasses the safety checks. Many bad reviews where users say the pack doesn’t work likely failed to RTFM.

This what I picked up for $71 on BF, has a light and includes the case.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2XY2YFB?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1

 

[supton]

I have a cheap one from Walmart. 2 years old. Used it three or so times to jump my Corolla this month, as the battery wouldn’t crank if it sat more than 3 days. Don’t need much to crank cars these days.

Incidentally Walmart has car batteries too. Going by the receipts, I can change the battery in about six minutes. Boy does it crank better now.