any recommendations on a jump starter?

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I’ve had a NOCO Boost HD for about 3 years. Used twice for someone else with dead batteries. Worked just fine both times first try.

I keep with me when wheeling, camping, or take when either my wife or I go on a road trip.

Only drag for all of them is they don’t hold a full charge for very long . You have to plug them in maybe every 6 months to refresh or top off.

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[TX-Dennis]

I carried cables most of my life, and used them now and again for my own vehicles and to help out others. About a year ago I bought a NOCO with my Ford points. So far I haven't needed it, but it's comforting to know it's available. After about six months I plugged it in to top off the charge. It still showed to be almost full, but it's good practice to keep it topped up.

I looked at the cheaper brands on amazon. Most of them have quite light cables compared to the NOCO. I think when dealing with a rather high current event such as starting a vehicle heavier cables are better than the light ones. Thus, I chose the more expensive route. Would the cheapos do the job? Probably, but I feel better having the (in some cases a good deal) heavier cables.

 

[Greg2060]

I carried cables most of my life, and used them now and again for my own vehicles and to help out others. About a year ago I bought a NOCO with my Ford points. So far I haven't needed it, but it's comforting to know it's available. After about six months I plugged it in to top off the charge. It still showed to be almost full, but it's good practice to keep it topped up.

I looked at the cheaper brands on amazon. Most of them have quite light cables compared to the NOCO. I think when dealing with a rather high current event such as starting a vehicle heavier cables are better than the light ones. Thus, I chose the more expensive route. Would the cheapos do the job? Probably, but I feel better having the (in some cases a good deal) heavier cables.

Which NOCO did you get? What would be the minimum amp for the Bronc?
Thanks.

 

[Ducati1098]

I have a NOCO GB150 for work. Never had any issues starting any vehicles.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Which NOCO did you get? What would be the minimum amp for the Bronc?
Thanks.

Mine is the GB50 1500 amps. It claims to be good for up to 7 liter gas engines. Again, I haven't used it to start the Bronco, but 1500 amps should be more than sufficient. It's way more than the truck's battery is rated.

 

[BigFootie]

NOCO boost 45. Works great for jumping vehicles. Way easier and more convenient than jumper cables. You don’t need much to start the Bronco’s.

 

[Greg2060]

Mine is the GB50 1500 amps. It claims to be good for up to 7 liter gas engines. Again, I haven't used it to start the Bronco, but 1500 amps should be more than sufficient. It's way more than the truck's battery is rated.

That brings up another question I have. How do you test it to make sure you weren't shipped a defective unit? Sure it's new, but that doesn't mean it can't be a bad unit. Unless you have a vehicle with a dead battery, you can't know for sure. It would suck if you out somewhere, have a dead battery, pull out the jump starter and not have it work.

 

[Brian_B]

That brings up another question I have. How do you test it to make sure you weren't shipped a defective unit? Sure it's new, but that doesn't mean it can't be a bad unit. Unless you have a vehicle with a dead battery, you can't know for sure. It would suck if you out somewhere, have a dead battery, pull out the jump starter and not have it work.

Three ways to test really, depending on how thorough you want to be with it.

You bring up the first - using it on a dead battery. I don't know that I recommend draining your battery down just to test your jump starter, but it's certainly possible and easy to do if you wanted to. This will absolutely test your unit and make sure it can jump start your engine.

A lesser method - just hook it up to your battery even if it isn't dead. Most of these units, either they work, or they are completely dead and won't do anything - not really any in-between. So if it turns on and goes through all the motions on a good battery, it'll most likely also jump a dead battery.

The easiest method - going with the fact that these things either work great, or are completely dead - so long as it turns on and you can use the flashlight or power bank or whatever else is built into it, it's probably just fine as a jump starter too.

 

[raqball]

I have this, it works great! My son also uses it for his 1970 Nova SS..

https://www.amazon.com/WOLFBOX-4000...whCC3CgvCNis8ogjBHfRCPHQPNRoC5NkQAvD_BwE&th=1

 

[crenca]

You bring up the first - using it on a dead battery...

This would work on some, but not others as each unit has it's own programming - some need a certain amount of charge on the target battery before activating

This is a good (if you can tolerate the presenter) video to get a sense of the differences of these units:

 

[Brian_B]

This would work on some, but not others as each unit has it's own programming - some need a certain amount of charge on the target battery before activating

Well, I should define "dead battery" I guess

I'm taking for granted that the jump stat unit itself is charged (that battery is ~not~ dead), and the vehicle battery is not 100%, 0V dead, but just low charge such that it cranks slow or starter at least clicks.

These units are mostly made to supplement a weak or dying battery, not entirely replace a 0V completely dead (or missing) starting battery. You are right, a lot of them won't work at all if they don't see some minimum resting voltage on the battery.

*edit*
Wow you are right about that guy. Hard to watch. The TLDR for some folks to save eardrums: this is his order of preference. I'd also point to @popo_patty who has done some testing with those tire inflators

A

 

[Greg2060]

This is a good (if you can tolerate the presenter) video to get a sense of the differences of these units:

Yes, I did watch it. Shows just how bad the cheap starters are. I would hate to have to depend on one of them in an emergency.

 

[RustysBronco]

I also recommend the Wolfbox 4000A jump starter. I just got mine and hadn't had a chance to unbox it. So here's a few pics of me doing so.

Comes with a nice travel case:

Bright Light (Blinks for Safety or Solid)

USB Charging Support

Here's where I got mine:
https://amzn.to/4hLakXX

 

[B Miller]

I keep the GooLoo 4000 in my cargo drawer. Rescued many people with it. In this video I demonstrate it on my "hard start" 1963 FI Corvette, Hope this helps!

 

[LABlueBronco]

Noco gbx75 here. Had it for almost 3 years. Jump started everything from lawnmower to my chevy truck. My daughter used it for a week, twice a day, in her ford explorer, until she got back home for me to troubleshoot her battery. Still had a half charge on it. That was last week, as well, so I still trust it completely. She's like, I gotta get me one of those. Not many times a 21yo girl college student that doesn't WANT to even change her own oil, says that. Lol.

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