What we like: Rugged and reliable, it generates enough power to handle all cars and small trucks. Our take: Extremely powerful and versatile, this jump starter can do it all. Heavy-duty jump starters can cost a few hundred dollars but sacrifice convenience with added weight and bulk.Ĭlore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700: available at Amazon And, as always, read the operating manual carefully before use.Įxcellent jump starters sell for as little as $50 and are capable of handling most cars. Safety goggles should be worn to avoid eye injury in the event of sparking. To reduce the risk of shock, wear thick rubber gloves and remove any dangling jewelry or loose clothing. Take basic precautions when charging a battery. Some have an audible alarm that advises you when your connections are wrong. Most top-quality jump starters have excellent safety features that guard against sparking, overcharging, and reverse charging that could damage your vehicle. They should be long enough to allow the jump starter to be placed securely on the ground. Also take note of the length of the cables. Ten-gauge is too thin and flimsy it’s not recommended. Look for cables with at least eight- or six-gauge wire (the lower the number, the better). Simply put, thicker cables mean faster jump-starting. The wider the wire, the more current it can handle. The gauge of the wire inside the cables is important. Both should be heavy-duty for durability and safety. Once you’ve decided how much power you need, the next major consideration is the quality of the clamps and cables you’ll be using to connect the portable starter to your battery. Remember that if you live in a region with harsh winters, you’ll need extra power. Jump starters generally offer between 400 amps (good enough for most sedans) and 4,000 amps (capable of starting large trucks). The bigger the engine on your vehicle, the more cranking power - usually noted by manufacturers as “peak amperage” - you’ll need. (Some modern vehicles with fully automatic ignition systems cannot be jump-started.) On those pages, you will find the specifications for jump-starting cranking power and other important information about your battery. The best way to decide which jump starter is right for you is to consult the owner’s manual of your vehicle. And there are super-powerful units loaded with features that can charge just about any vehicle. ![]() There are sleek, ultra-compact models that weigh less than a pound that are slim enough to fit in a glovebox or under a seat. With so many models available, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed. If you live in an area that's prone to these types of events, this feature might be incredibly helpful.Power bank with USB port: Many jump starters double as charging stations that can handle your phone, tablet or other devices - at the same time they’re powering your dead car battery. Some jump starters have built-in emergency radios, which will help you keep up-to-date with local events in case of an emergency or a natural disaster like an earthquake or hurricane. We definitely recommend buying a jump starter with emergency lights of some kind, especially considering the fact that they could end up saving your life. When a jump starter has emergency lights, you’ll be able to place it near your car to alert other drivers to the fact that you’re there. That’s where emergency lights can come in. With low visibility and distracted drivers, you could easily find yourself in a dangerous spot. If you’re strapped for cash, a built-in compressor is something you can avoid, but if you have the money to spend on a device with an air compressor, we recommend doing so.īeing stuck on the side of the road at night is never a preferable situation. A built-in compressor may not matter when you’re jump-starting your car, but that doesn’t mean they can’t come in handy. For smaller vehicles, like most cars, a cable with at least an 8 gauge will be fine, though larger batteries might need a 6 or 4 gauge cable.Īn air compressor is what you’d use to pump up a car’s flat tire if it's been deflated. Thicker wire is better at delivering more power, which can be important if you’re trying to jump-start a vehicle with a bigger battery. Another differentiator is a cable’s wire gauge, which refers to the thickness of the wire inside. Don't think you need to go for extra-long cables, though- for most people, 15 feet will be perfectly fine. ![]() Generally, they range from around 10 to 35 feet. For instance, cables can have different lengths.
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