Portable Battery Jump Starter

[Wes Davis]

Please let me know what you have and if it has always worked for you. I am on my second brand new one and it has failed me again. I don't know if I need to buy bigger amps or better brand. Three times. Twice on my Sport Trac will not turn it over and once on a strangers small car. The one I have now is 300 amps. Do I need to just buy bigger? What do you guys have and tell me if you have actually used it with positive(pun LOL) results.

 

[Mark K 2]

Mine is a Vector Power-On-Board 400 amp (#VEC021STC). Dad has one in his car and mom has one in her car. They're all eight years old and work perfectly.



Model VEC012C is the current equivalent.

 

[EddieS'04]

2yrs old still works. Stays pluged in ready to go. Regulates its' own charge.

Why buy expensive. This one can be replaced, for the cost of the internal battery, on the expensive ones.

 

[David Ponder]

I also bought one from Harbor Freight. Works fine. (Had it for about 6 months now) I went up to the next step however, and mine has a small compressor built in. Great for airing up a low tire while on the road, or on the lawn mower before I back it down the ramp from the shed.

 

[EddieS'04]

The one dave has is on sale.

 

[EddieS'04]

 

[Wes Davis]

Thanks guys I actually got mine to work. Before I always hooked up the clamps and turned the key and would get nothing or very little. Someone on another forum told me to hook up the clamps and let it set for a few minutes. I did this and the Trac started right up. I guess it needed a little time to transfer battery power. Perhaps its because I only have the 300amp model. I am sure if I had 500amps or more it would turn right over.

 

[EddieS'04]

Me glad you got it..:supercool:



here is the coupon if anyone wants to take it to the store. I will remove it from my library, when it expires.

 

[Kevin Lang]

If only there was one of these that fit completely under the rear drivers-side passenger seat, that wasn't also too wimpy to be of use. The one I have now sticks out a fair bit, and I'm looking for a new one as I have 0 faith in my 5 year old one.



It was unable to jump a 2000 XLT explorer on its own, and never seems to fully charge.



Though having one with a light is useful, having one with an airpump isn't. The pump is awkward, & IME are less suited to car tires than a specialized unit, and makes the whole unit feel cheaper (in an affordable model). The only advantage is portability, but honestly, I've never taken advantage of that.