Jump Starter - Looking for recommendations

I'm planning a trip to drive the Wyoming Back Country Discovery Route in late July and would like to add a jump starter to my emergency gear. Just in case I make a dumb mistake and drain my cranking battery in the remote Wyoming back country, I would like to have a jump starter with me.

I have searched the reviews to try to find one that is reliable and cost effective but there are always the "don't buy this piece of junk" comments for most of the recommended units. So, can anyone recommend a quality unit that I could depend on? I'm not too price sensitive but trying to keep the purchase under $200.

Thanks for any recommendations you can offer...

Cheers,
Bob

 

I've used this a couple of times helping another driver and it's always performed as it should. Holds a charge for a long time although I generally put it on recharge about every 3 months and whenever I'm taking a road trip.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08T637RW9?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

I have NoCo GB40 Boosters, one in the T4R and one in my Tacoma.

They definitely work for my needs. I'll help someone if I can, but I'm not spending that kind of cash for the top of the line NoCo when I don't need to.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015TKUPIC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

I always trust Project Farm's Youtube videos: https://youtu.be/VRFwEUr_Vjc. I bought this one from his video:

$150 YESPER Battery Jump Starter - 4120A Peak Portable Car Starter (All Gas, up to 10.0L Diesel Engine), Auto Battery Booster Pack,Jump Box, DSLI Safe Tech Safely Start All 12V Vehicle& DC 15V Ports…

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Q15SPZJ.

 

These things are great, I bought a Gooloo branded one after seeing one of his tests.

I've used it to jump multiple vehicles, as well as a power bank to charge electronics and power an air pump for a mattress while camping.

Best part is that it fits right under the passenger seat.

 

Thanks everyone for all the responses..... I needed some real world experiences before buying based on Amazon reviews....

Cheers,
Bob

 

Follow-up... I just ordered the Gooloo GT4000S from Amazon based on the video and Trail Runnah's recommendation - especially since you indicated it will fit under the passenger seat!!

Cheers,
Bob

 

I've used my NoCo GB40 on multiple of my neighbors cars including Tahoes, minivans etc... works like a charm and I have one in each of our 4 cars.

The only vehicle it didn't work on was a neighbors Ferrari. That could have been based on its electronics or the fact you can't get to the actual battery. Never figured out the real reason why but don't care to either. He should be able the afford the flatbed he used to take it to the dealership.

 

Probably so, but can he afford to repair whatever happens to the paint during loading and unloading?

I'm looking at jumpers, too, but I have some concerns about having so much charge stored for long periods in very hot places. So far, searching hasn't turned up much evidence of risk in that scenario, unless it's been damaged.

 

Agreed. I watched them load it like it was a 10 year old Toyota Corrola. Made me cringe. But car guys come in all flavors.

I keep mine in cases, in the trunk of each vehicle out of direct sunlight. Haven't had a problem with swelling batteries l. I do periodically use them to charge other devices and then give them a fresh charge to exercise the cells. Not sure if that matters but it ensures they are always full and ready to go

 

Forgot to mention, I also carry a pair of safety glasses in case I have to use mine. Been carrying them since a buddy of mine was connecting jumper cables and the battery exploded into his face and eyes. I keep them in a case right with my jump box.

 

Great advice! I'm a fan of using eye protection whenever messing with batteries too.

 

GOOLOO 4000 you absolutely cant beat the price and the power it brings. Ive had mine for 2+ years now and that thing can jump start anything. Ive jump started diesels with it. Plus you can jump 6-7 cars before it needs to be recharged. The others listed here are very nice but also expensive. This does everything those do at a fraction of the price (119.00) Read the Amazon reviews

I have absolutely no regrets with the Gooloo

 

amen Bob. I have one as well and they are AMAZING. It will jump start anything. We never leave home without it. Fortunately, we have never needed it but Ive jump started 10-15 people who needed a jump

 

Nice! I think that might even be the one that I have, I bought the larger one that is rated to start the V10.

 

Plus 1 for the NOCO GB40

 

I think it says somewhere in the Noco manual to periodically discharge and recharge to maintain battery longevity. (They also say not to leave it on the charger long term)

 

Do they have a recommended procedure for discharge? I assume it doesn't involve reanimating a person assembled from graveyard parts.

 

They mention charging a phone a couple of times.

 

Having for years https://amzn.to/42FEzYv - never let me down. Started my FJ, wife's 2.4L CRV, friend's Mercedes G-Class diesel and many other cars.

 

For anyone else looking for recommendations, one of the key factors is having a jump starter with a sufficient amount of peak amps to get your 4Runner up and running. Also, it's helpful if the unit is compact yet powerful, especially if you're packing a lot of gear. I know many people who swear by the NOCO Boost jump starters; they're a bit pricey but extremely reliable and durable.
Given that you were also considering off-roading and back country trips, having a unit that comes with additional features like a flashlight and USB charging can be a lifesaver. There's a solid guide for choosing the right jump starter over at https://stuck.solutions/, which covers everything you'll need to consider.

 

My vote for post of the year.

 

Dead batteries are frequently not dead, they just can't produce enough current to turn the starter. I am a fan of the capacitor bank jump start systems. No batteries to keep charged, light weight and your "dead" battery loads up the capacitors which are very good at giving it up all at once for the start. I have the Autowit SuperCap. https://www.amazon.com/autowit-SuperCap2-Batteryless-Capacitor-arrancador/dp/B086L29DL9?th=1 The downside is if your battery is truly dead it's a brick as far as the cap bank is concerned and depending on the remaining voltage it can take some time for the "dead" battery to charge the caps.

 

These are good points. Still, it's funny to juxtapose this with the recent thread in which @FN2187 noted that the OEM battery doesn't have enough CCA to operate his winch (https://www.4runners.com/threads/panasonic-cca.33840/#post-491618).

It looks like the 4R is in the middle of the typical range from I've seen online. I tested the YESPER on my 4R to see whether I would trust it, and it cranked up no problem. It wasn't cold, though. I'll give that a shot this winter. I also offered to defibrillate my wife, but she declined.

 

Unfortunately I couldn't answer the original question but I thought maybe he was looking at CCA because he got a winch - then it looked like i was just an idiot for throwing out info not relevant to what he was looking for so im glad it helped someone. I remember going through the struggle of trying to figure out the CCA on the OEM Panasonic and then finding out it didn't meet the winch recommended 650 or so.

I saw above that someone recommended the NOCO boost jump starter. I had one in my cart for almost a year before finally pulling the trigger. Haven't had to use it yet but keep it in the back. What I do know is that it took forever to initially charge to full so it can store some power. Reminds me to check the current charge level... and buy one (or more) of the stick extinguishers I saw in another thread in case it goes spontaneous combustible on me while in the vehicle

 

Ten or twenty of those stick extinguishers, or any other extinguisher won't put out a fire from a lithium battery. The only thing I have seen on the market is the very expensive containment bags that a phone, laptop or similar item could be tossed into and sealed inside. It looks to me like a NoCo sized booster would fit in one of those bags.

 

Good to know - there was a case available for it but decided not to buy since it came with a soft bag. I'll look it up again to see if that case is something special for fires

 

I use this for my Noco GB40 and GB50
Hard case and fits all the accessories

Caseling Hard Case - Compatible with GB40 and GB20 Jump Starter Battery Pack. https://a.co/d/gnwAqNl