Cheapest jump starter (that won't be dead in 12 months)

CheapAzChips on 24/05/2023 - 23:17
Last edited 24/05/2023 - 23:54 by 1 other user

As per title - it's been a while since I've had to buy one, and back then the only option was SLA. Now with supercaps, lithium, AGM and other options: what is a Cheapie to do?

Target vehicle is V6 3.6L, so the bottom end of the market isn't going to cut it unfortunately. I'll need probably 1200A+ rating. Ideally I'd like to spend under $200 but I also don't want one that will barely turn over in a years time.

There are a couple of options from SCA/Repco that fit the bill: but are they any good?

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-compact-jump-star…

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-compact-jump-star… -possibly slightly underpowered?

General Discussion Automotive Jump Starter

Comments

  • Julio Gomez on 25/05/2023 - 08:19
    +1

    Hey mate👋🏻,

    Could recommend you to have a look at those two below:

    1. h t t p : //shop.puredigital.co.nz/xiaomi-70mai-jump-starter-11100mah-portable-car-jump-starter-emergency-battery-booster-waterproof-battery-charger-power-bank-kit/

    2. NZ$ 160.25 20%OFF | Youpin 70mai Jump Starter Max 18000mAh 1000A Max Power Auto Buster 8.0L Car Emergency Booster Engine Start
      h t t p s : //a.aliexpress.com/_mMqKIX6

    (No need to tell u how to correct these links above, I believe. 😏)

    Good quality and absolutely reliable stuff produced by the Youpin (subdivision of Xiaomi). Yeap, China, but that bloody tesla is made there too, isn't it…😉

    As for the quality:
    I personally use the Max version (18000mah, from the second link). Have been using it for more than a year already, by the way — NO ISSUES AT ALL! 👍🏻 Must have, so to say. (I've got Toyota Harrier G350, v6, 3,5l. The jump starter works perfectly well with this engine. 👍🏻)

    I'm not sure about the store from the first link (dono anything about it, tbh) but you can easily find both products on AliExpress.

    Up to you mate, certainly, but however — still in your budget, I guess. 🤷🏻‍♂️

    Hope this will help.
    Cheers! 👋🏻

  • tieke on 25/05/2023 - 11:08
    +1

    Your choice also depends on how often you think you will use one/how good you are with keeping on top of maintenance. If you only need one every couple of years, then even the best battery jumpstarter will be dead unless you've remembered to recharge it. I've got Autowit SuperCap jump starters for that reason - the main advantage of a capacitor-based jumpstarter is that even if it hasn't been charged, if you've got at least some power left in your battery you can use that to charge the jumpstarter up relatively quickly.

    The Autowit went on a large discount sale relatively regularly at GadgetPlus (to around NZD$130-150), but I just checked and it looks like they have closed down, but any supercap jump starter has the same advantage.

    It also depends where you are - if you're near a main centre it might just be better to have AA membership, and use them if anything happens. I know that I haven't had a flat car battery in any of our vehicles while out and about over the last decade or so, so from one point of view all of the jump starters I've bought have been a waste of money :)

  • karthie on 29/05/2023 - 20:35

    Autohaus Mini Jump Start Kit from Warehouse still going well after 20 months, the battery light still goes to 4 dots on charging.
    Use to start my MPV with no problem at all, kids forgot the switch off the lights, and playing power sliding door flattens the battery. Recently used it after 6 months and still good.

  • humvee on 30/05/2023 - 05:38
    +1

    I brought this one a year ago. Still going strong. I paid $125 on special. They are now on clearance for cheaper if any stores still have them

    https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-12v-1700-amp-8-cy…

    I often use it to start a 4.4L diesel tractor as well as 3L 6 cylander petrol without issue

    • CheapAzChips on 30/05/2023 - 08:44

      Nice, I had missed that one, thanks!

  • scott on 30/05/2023 - 09:31

    I would get this one. NZ$185.31 for the 20,000mah / 2000A version delivered:

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003127488245.html

    By the spec sheet, you should be able to start your car with the smaller version if you wanted that.

    I have two of the older 8000mah versions, and they haven't let me down yet (but to be fair, I have only started two engines that crank from the 12v battery).

    Would gave preferred a capacitor-based unit, but they were out of my budged. Also would have preferred lifepo4 for safety, but couldn't find a unit I liked.

    Those ones you liked to in the top post are SLA. Very bulky and heavy compared to other technologies.

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