Jump Starter Pack for 6.7

[Summit1]

I am considering the purchase of a reasonably priced jump starter pack to carry in the truck. Granted my batteries are new, but I want to be prepared for the event in which the batteries die (i.e., like twelve days ago prior to hitching up for a camping trip... thankful it happened at home and not at the camp site on a weekend). I figured one died and dragged the other down with it, as they are wired in parallel.

A lot of folks are using the Clore JNC (Jump N Carry) units, but their 660/770 series may not have enough "oomph" to get the job done (or do they?) with the Cummins 6.7. I recall seeing a JNC-950 that may be better but not listed on Amazon (maybe discontinuing this model?)

 

[endoscott]

I got this one a year ago to carry on trips and also to carry in our desert trail rig (4runner). Seems very high quality, has ports for charging cell phones too. Used it once to jump the 4runner after somebody left the lights on when we went hiking. Made in USA. Possibly with Chinese parts, dunno, but they seem very stout.

NOCO XL EVA Case GBC015 Pro Protection GB150 Boost UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter

 

[TFucili]

The JNC big packs are pretty stout. I have one from Mac(made by JNC)and it works well. I carry a small jump pack in each vehicle. Started out with the Micro-Start brand, which was one of the early names to become popular, and I was a dealer at the shop for a while, but stopped selling them when it became apparent the failure rate was much too high. Every on we owned had the battery pack swell up big time. I am currently carrying/using Snap-On, but NOCO is every bit as good it seems.

I view all of them as boosters. If your batteries fade to where they just can't get the job done they will bail you out. If you have two stone-dead batteries, you are likely out of luck.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Just remember that with the JNC, which has an actual lead acid battery, you CAN leave them attached to the vehicle after you start it. With the compact Lithium battery packs you MUST remove them ASAP after starting or you will destroy the battery pack. They can't take the charge that the vehicle will try to give them.

I've stuck with the JNC around the shop cause I will use it to start and move a car that either has no battery or a bad alternator.

 

[Summit1]

I was wondering if something like the NOCO GB150 would do the job... they claim it will, so maybe that is an option.

The alternative use would be to occasionally run some other 12-volt devices (small ham radio stuff) from it.

https://images.crutchfieldonline.co...000/1950/products/2017/11/598/g598GB150-F.jpg

 

[Jim W]

How old is your truck? On my 2008 and my younger son's 2013.5, the factory batteries have last 7 years before needing to be replace. A simple jump start from another car battery was all it took to start his truck this fall. The voltage drop below 13.5V when the grid heaters kick in and the truck would not start after that. He replaced them that day that the truck would not start.

With my truck the message center started to show erratic messages and the lights were very dim with just the batteries and no engine was operating. Time to replace them, the replacement batteries from NAPA lasted 7 years also.

So, is it worth the cost to carry and maintain and additional battery pack? In my very humble opinion NO! I would and I do carry just a simple jumper cable to jump start the truck.

 

[TFucili]

My '15 gasser battery lasted 3 years, and two of my buddies' 1500 batteries went in just over 3 years.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

My truck batteries lasted about 3 years - well - only one did. One went stone dead - guessing an internal short.

I'm probably partly to blame because I use my truck as a - well - truck. So, it was sitting for about 4 months due to other life events and I never thought about the constant drain from all the new "crap" (electronics) and it was low charge. Not long after it wouldn't start.

I have both - jump pack AND cables!

 

[AEdelheit]

I have a JNC660 and its a beast but if my batteries are dead it will not start my truck, if the interior lights turn on and some power in the batteries just not enough to turn the engine over then it will start it.

One thing to note is if im trying to jump start any diesel I dont use the grid heaters or glow plugs as that takes valuable power away from batteries and most engines will start ok with out them.

 

[JR]

I agree that a set of jumpers will probably get you further in the event your batteries truly go TU. I've just not seen one that will boost a completely dead diesel, if you live in a cold climate your asking even more with the added drag and lack of heat in the cylinders. I have a Snap On branded jump box, if I remember correctly it is good for 400 cranking amps. It would not jump my 98 in single digit temps. Not even close. When diesels are cold you need cranking speed to make enough heat to get them to light off. I don't think there's a jump box out there that will do this.

That being said I have used it quite a bit over the years, other vehicles, tractor, mowers, ATVs, etc.
It's a very handy tool to have around the shop, I just don't know if it's something to rely on in itself. Especially if you get some cold weather.

 

[CVR222NV]

So, is it worth the cost to carry and maintain and additional battery pack? In my very humble opinion NO! I would and I do carry just a simple jumper cable to jump start the truck.

I actually carry two sets of battery cables and have used both at the same time to jump really dead batteries. I have never had an issue but would like to hear from this group if that is a safe practice? However, cables are not much help if you are in a remote location and no other jump vehicle is available hence my interest in a jump starter.

One thing to note is if im trying to jump start any diesel I dont use the grid heaters or glow plugs as that takes valuable power away from batteries and most engines will start ok with out them.

What about where you are in really cold temperatures? Wouldn't it be better to have a battery pack that would handle the grid heater and dead battery assuming one exists?

I have been looking for a jump starter solution and ran across this brand. I already use their smart chargers. It states it will jump a diesel up to 7.0.

https://no.co/gb150

This is listed on Amazon and now shows 4000 amp rating. I know the photos still show 3000 amp but a buddy recently purchased it off Amazon and sent me a photo and it is 4000 amp now. I also note the ad states it will jump up to 10L motors.

Amazon product ASIN B015TKSSB8
Does anyone have experience with this brand jump starter?

 

[TFucili]

I actually carry two sets of battery cables and have used both at the same time to jump really dead batteries. I have never had an issue but would like to hear from this group if that is a safe practice? However, cables are not much help if you are in a remote location and no other jump vehicle is available hence my interest in a jump starter.



What about where you are in really cold temperatures? Wouldn't it be better to have a battery pack that would handle the grid heater and dead battery assuming one exists?

I have been looking for a jump starter solution and ran across this brand. I already use their smart chargers. It states it will jump a diesel up to 7.0.

https://no.co/gb150

This is listed on Amazon and now shows 4000 amp rating. I know the photos still show 3000 amp but a buddy recently purchased it off Amazon and sent me a photo and it is 4000 amp now. I also note the ad states it will jump up to 10L motors.

Amazon product ASIN B015TKSSB8
Does anyone have experience with this brand jump starter?

NOCO was mentioned in at least two other posts. Yes, I consider it a good brand.

 

[AEdelheit]

What about where you are in really cold temperatures? Wouldn't it be better to have a battery pack that would handle the grid heater and dead battery assuming one exists?

In a prefect world sure but the grid heater draws so many amps I am more concerned about getting the engine to turn over and start even if it run rough for a few seconds due to no grid heater. The problem is if you are stuck with a dead battery and trying to start it you wont really know if the jumper pack has the abilty to run the grid heaters and start it unitl you try and if it doesnt then you have a dead jump pack and a truck with dead batteries that not running. The Cummins can start in 0 deg with no grid heater if need be.

 

[CVR222NV]

NOCO was mentioned in at least two other posts. Yes, I consider it a good brand.

Ahh, sorry about that. I should have looked at your link a little closer. Yes, same NOCO jump starter. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[CVR222NV]

In a prefect world sure but the grid heater draws so many amps I am more concerned about getting the engine to turn over and start even if it run rough for a few seconds due to no grid heater. The problem is if you are stuck with a dead battery and trying to start it you wont really know if the jumper pack has the abilty to run the grid heaters and start it unitl you try and if it doesn't then you have a dead jump pack and a truck with dead batteries that not running. The Cummins can start in 0 deg with no grid heater if need be.

So I re-educated myself on the grid heaters and short of a switch to turn it off or MM3 programming to make it come on at a lower temperature do you just crank the engine immediately and not wait for the grid heater light to go off on a jump start? Is the grid heater draw not occurring even in that situation as soon as you start cranking? I have no problem with a rough running engine as long as it is running so I can see the benefit of eliminating the grid heater draw to get the truck started and up and running and the alternator can start charging.

 

[AEdelheit]

So I re-educated myself on the grid heaters and short of a switch to turn it off or MM3 programming to make it come on at a lower temperature do you just crank the engine immediately and not wait for the grid heater light to go off on a jump start? Is the grid heater draw not occurring even in that situation as soon as you start cranking? I have no problem with a rough running engine as long as it is running so I can see the benefit of eliminating the grid heater draw to get the truck started and up and running and the alternator can start charging.

I just turn the key to start and dont wait for the grid heaters to come on, I believe the grid heaters turn off while the starter is engaged but not positive.

 

[Jim W]

I did have a jump pack, my wife bought me back in the earlier 2000's time period for a Christmas present. Will it never would start my truck nor her Jetta TDI. I tried the jump pack on my Dodge before I replaced my first set of batteries in 2013, would not provide enough power to turn over the truck. I than tried the jump pack on my wife's Jetta when her battery died, again not enough power to turn over her Jetta. The jump pad was scrapped and I use the jumper cables only now.

I don't go off roading anymore and we don't boondock so, I am never far from a service that could provide a jump start if needed.

I learned a long time ago when we did go off roading with my jeeps to carry everything I needed when you were in the boonies. But one thing I never needed was a battery jump pack. I did have the tow straps and high lift jack plus a spare tire when we were off roading and jumper cables but never a extra battery or battery pack.

Just my $0.02

 

[AEdelheit]

I did have a jump pack, my wife bought me back in the earlier 2000's time period for a Christmas present. Will it never would start my truck nor her Jetta TDI. I tried the jump pack on my Dodge before I replaced my first set of batteries in 2013, would not provide enough power to turn over the truck. I than tried the jump pack on my wife's Jetta when her battery died, again not enough power to turn over her Jetta. The jump pad was scrapped and I use the jumper cables only now.

I don't go off roading anymore and we don't boondock so, I am never far from a service that could provide a jump start if needed.

I learned a long time ago when we did go off roading with my jeeps to carry everything I needed when you were in the boonies. But one thing I never needed was a battery jump pack. I did have the tow straps and high lift jack plus a spare tire when we were off roading and jumper cables but never a extra battery or battery pack.

Just my $0.02

Jump packs have came a looooong ways since early 2000's through, there are some out there that could jump start a dead Cummins.

 

[TFucili]

Ahh, sorry about that. I should have looked at your link a little closer. Yes, same NOCO jump starter. Thanks for the confirmation.

No sweat! In re-reading my post, it can definitely be taken as harsh, but that was not my intention. Sorry about that.

 

[AEdelheit]

Some great Deals on Amazon Prime day , I picked up the 4000amp to keep in my truck, cheap insurance if my batteries were to die on a camping trip in the middle of nowhere. https://www.amazon.com/deal/a850408c/ref=gbps_img___a850408c?showVariations=true&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER