Recommendations: for Jumper Packs

[Bamby]

I know it's been discussed here before but a search only brought a couple of irrelevant results on Jumper Packs. Anyway I'm seriously considering purchasing one to keep stowed on our boat this upcoming year as much for others than maybe for ourselves and our own piece of mind.

I try to keep an assortment of necessities aboard our boat and am usually able to provide whats needed to get others on their way. It's usually smalls like a piece of wire, a fuse, or some basic hand tools that most often does the job. But sometimes folks just need a jump. We do carry jumper cables but the reality of them are they are a PIA to utilize in most all boating situations.

I really don't want to spend "large" on a jumper pack but I'd like to get the best quality unit available for the money spent. I know we had at least four folks come to us last year seeking a jump and it's also been a long term issue since we started boating. So we're thinking it would be so much easier solution to just hand them a "Jumper Pack" to get their boat going than all the fooling around involved with using jumper cables.

Does anyone have any recommendations on them?

[BoatCop]

This is the one I use. $99 from Sears.

I swap it from my motor home to the boat, as needed.

In addition to just jumping, it has an air compressor, emergency light, 12v-110v inverter, USB power supply and can be charged up by 110v plug in, or through a cigarette lighter-type plug via the boat's/vehicle's charging system.



http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-p ... ockType=G1

[Bamaman]

I like the jumper boxes with air compressors. They're very much used on a boat to inflate all the floaties and big pulling tubes. You've just got to pay close attention to maintain the charge.

What I really like to float in the lake is a good 16" inner tube, but they're expensive and relatively hard to find.

[robster]

Here's the one we keep on our boat, just like the ones tow truck drivers use.http://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive- ... ery+jumper

[evinrude2stroke]

What's the lifespan on these power packs?
I don't have one yet but have been thinking about one.
Do you have to keep them on a charger all the time or can you keep it on the boat for a while in between charges?

[Bryden24shp]

I leave mine plugged in all the time. This one has lasted me 3 years now. I also mounted a battery tender in the battery compartment. It charges the batteries only when the maintainer sense's a charge is needed. I very seldom have had to use the portable on any of my own boats. The last time was probably 7 or 8 years ago on my Baja. But I have saved other boaters days on the river, countless times, by having mine in the boat to jump their dead batteries. May it be at the boat ramp, beach or in Party Cove at LotO. It comes in handy and even though I tell the "Jumpies" not to give me anything for the jump start, I always get a few beers or a $10.00 bill shoved into my hands. Its nice just to save someone elses day.
Now if I had a cure for the "Drainplug forgetters" at the boat ramp. Every year, I see 4 or 5 tie the ramps up.

[BoatCop]

What's the lifespan on these power packs?
I don't have one yet but have been thinking about one.
Do you have to keep them on a charger all the time or can you keep it on the boat for a while in between charges?

I've had mine for about 4 years. Still operates like new. I try to keep it plugged in on charge, but left it in the boat for 4 months and still showed 99% charge.

About jumping other boats. I refuse to jump start a boat on the ramp or when they're just setting out for the day. Putting someone with a defective battery or charging system out on the water is just turning an inconvenience into an emergency. Even though someone else may jump them, I will not put someone at risk and force my compadres to have to go out and rescue them.

Out on the water is another story, to get them back to port.

[evinrude2stroke]

Now if I had a cure for the "Drainplug forgetters" at the boat ramp. Every year, I see 4 or 5 tie the ramps up.

Years ago my buddy was out in his 22" Chapperral and left his drain plug out. After it stalled I ended up towing him in on my Jetski. I still don't understand why guys don't do a "before you head out" inspection!?!

[Bryden24shp]

Al, so you are saying that if you are at the beach and lets say your daughter bumped your running light switch on, by mistake, drained your battery and you did not have your jumper box with you, that you would not accept a jump from another boater. OK...

[BoatCop]

Al, so you are saying that if you are at the beach and lets say your daughter bumped your running light switch on, by mistake, drained your battery and you did not have your jumper box with you, that you would not accept a jump from another boater. OK...

Being stranded out on the lake or a beach (away from the ramp or dock) is different from starting out with a dead battery. If someone needs a jump to get "home" no problem. But just starting out the day or trip. No way.

[tracker2]

Got mine from Menards. They have them on sale quite often. It has a compressor, 200 amp inverter, emer light and instructions say to check charge every 90 days or after use. $59 regular with a $20 rebate. Put it in the car in the winter and have gotten rid of a bunch of crap in the trunk. Cables and such.