Jump Starter Pack Information

[Zepp]

I’ve read a few posts on the forum about jump starter packs.

Have you bought one and is it still working ie is the battery still holding a charge and have you ever used it to start a motorhome .

Also are the leads long enough to fit onto the jumper points in the engine bay or do you have to connect it direct to battery terminals


I looking at getting one we have a Fiat 2.3 180bhp engine , the one I’m looking at is the noco gb40 or the gb70 but if you have different one that works please tell me

 

[Richard n Ann]

Can you not prevent the battery going flat in the first place? I would even take it off the van and take it home rather than risking it going flat.

 

[Sapper520]

Read an article last week stating, if you jump start a Motorhome it could damage the leisure side of the system on modern vehicles. I’m not in any way a vehicle electrician so I have no idea about this.

I was looking at getting a Jump Starter, just in case (can also be used as a power back for charging phones etc), but that’s on hold now until I’ve done further investigation.

Jump Starting a Motorhome

Why you should think twice about Jump Starting a Motorhome

www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk

 

[Zepp]

Can you not prevent the battery going flat in the first place? I would even take it off the van and take it home rather than risking it going flat.

Yes I have solar , it’s a back up also it can be used for a power bank for charging laptop etc

Things do go wrong there is a one year old N&B parked next to me with a flat engine battery

 

[Zepp]

Read an article last week stating, if you jump start a Motorhome it could damage the leisure side of the system on modern vehicles. I’m not in any way a vehicle electrician so I have no idea about this.

I was looking at getting a Jump Starter, just in case (can also be used as a power back for charging phones etc), but that’s on hold now until I’ve done further investigation.

I think I read the same article but if you break down with a flat battery rac will use a jumper pack also the dealers have to start stock vans with jumper pack......however I agree with you it needs further research

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[Richard n Ann]

Yes I have solar , it’s a back up also it can be used for a power bank for charging laptop etc

Things do go wrong there is a one year old N&B parked next to me with a flat engine battery

I've got one of these power banks for taking to the beach etc, keeps the phone on 100% all day with loads to spare

Amazon product ASIN B076KF3X2T

 

[TCG]

in an emergency, why cant you just put jump leads from leisure battery to engine battery

 

[Zepp]

in an emergency, why cant you just put jump leads from leisure battery to engine battery

I would need some very long jump leads lol

 

[Geo]

Son and I have one each in our vehicles GB70 for commercial garage use, both over 4 years old and still good as new use
can recommend

 

[Jev88]

in an emergency, why cant you just put jump leads from leisure battery to engine battery

You are assuming a proper leisure battery has anywhere near decent cranking amp capability.

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[Richard n Ann]

You are assuming a proper leisure battery has anywhere near decent cranking amp capability.

No, I'd just connect it and leave it to charge the starter battery so you could probably get away with 2.5mm flex.

 

[Zepp]

Son and I have one each in our vehicles GB70 for commercial garage use, both over 4 years old and still good as new use
can recommend

Thank you Geo glad your happy with them

 

[Jev88]

No, I'd just connect it and leave it to charge the starter battery so you could probably get away with 2.5mm flex.

Fair enough. But a right faff to get my leisure battery linked to cab battery. Hence I have a glovebox sized starter pack.

 

[tribalbrit]

I would need some very long jump leads lol

Mine are 10 metres long. ex welding cables, can jump start my work XLWB sprinter from a vehicle parked behind it, come in handy starting work van after long holidays.

 

[Graham of Madrid]

I have a jumper pack that I bought maybe six years ago for the car and I think it was rated to start a 2500 diesel or a 3 litre petrol. I assume the diesel engine needs more CCA than petrol, I'm guessing its because of engine compression. It has a built in compressor for the tyres which has been very useful though I'm not sure they'll be beefy enough for the MH tyre pressures. It has a built in torch and USB charging ports. The wife calls it R2 because that's what it looks like. He won't fit in any glove box that's for sure.

Whichever jumper pack you buy you'll to charge it every three months to keep it topped up or else you'll knacker it. probably why mines lasted six years.

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[Ditcha]

Hi Paul,
I have one of these can recommend it as a all rounder.

Amazon product ASIN B076CR28C3

 

[Zepp]

Hi Paul,
I have one of these can recommend it as a all rounder.

Amazon product ASIN B076CR28C3

looks good I will check it out

 

[27 TUG]

Hi I got a Snapon jump pack never let me down I am in trade I have used it lots of commercials not cheap though Andy

 

[Raul]

Victron does nice booster packs, that can be used as power banks as well. And they are LiFePo4.

 

[Vipar]

Bought mine from Machine Mart didn’t read the instructions until it didn’t work then found out it says must leave plugged in. But it does the tyres and has a light etc. I prefer a good battery and I have a smart trickle charger.

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[Zepp]

Ended up buying the NOCO GB70 I will let you how it performs when I get a chance to use it

I will be walking around the Lincoln show looking for someone with a flat battery lol

 

[Jake Royd]

An old thread but I will add my comments.
Ducato X250 2.3 (not my motorhome fortunately!) with flat battery.
I have jump leads but thought I would try my little starter pack, its a £35 cheapie that claims 400A for 3 secs and 200 A after that I assume.

Connected via the points under the bonnet, could be my first mistake as lots of lead between it and the battery.
Ign on, glow plugs timed out (took about 8secs or so in this temperature) and moved to Start.
The motor turned over but not quick enough to start it and I heard a 'pop pop' sound from under the bonnet.

On examination later , the noise was the case of the little starter unit popping open as the battery inside expanded!

I started the motor with out a problem using jump leads.

The little starter unit contracted back down to it's usual size and I popped the case closed and recharged it. Currently under test charging my phone seems fine but need to test it under engine start conditions again.

I may not be able to trust it with the motorhome now, so I'm looking at a new starter pack with a lot more current and time capability.

I can see that really I need a Nocco GB70 like Zepp above has used but would like to know what cheaper units people have had good results with on a Ducato 2.3?

Zepp , have you tried your Nocco on a flat battery yet?

What other units would Forumites recommend?

 

[pappajohn]

Hi I got a Snapon jump pack never let me down I am in trade I have used it lots of commercials not cheap though Andy

Bet it was made in China though and not Wisconsin.

 

[Zepp]

An old thread but I will add my comments.
Ducato X250 2.3 (not my motorhome fortunately!) with flat battery.
I have jump leads but thought I would try my little starter pack, its a £35 cheapie that claims 400A for 3 secs and 200 A after that I assume.

Connected via the points under the bonnet, could be my first mistake as lots of lead between it and the battery.
Ign on, glow plugs timed out (took about 8secs or so in this temperature) and moved to Start.
The motor turned over but not quick enough to start it and I heard a 'pop pop' sound from under the bonnet.

On examination later , the noise was the case of the little starter unit popping open as the battery inside expanded!

I started the motor with out a problem using jump leads.

The little starter unit contracted back down to it's usual size and I popped the case closed and recharged it. Currently under test charging my phone seems fine but need to test it under engine start conditions again.

I may not be able to trust it with the motorhome now, so I'm looking at a new starter pack with a lot more current and time capability.

I can see that really I need a Nocco GB70 like Zepp above has used but would like to know what cheaper units people have had good results with on a Ducato 2.3?

Zepp , have you tried your Nocco on a flat battery yet?

What other units would Forumites recommend?

View attachment 460346

Yes I used the gb70 on a Spanish fiat motorhome in Malaga I connected it to the jump points in engine bay and it started first time

I can’t recommend any cheaper ones because the gb70 was the one recommended to me by people on here.

Im sure there are good cheaper ones out there , but you could end up spending more buying one them finding out it’s no good for a motorhome

 

[Jake Royd]

Had a look at Noco starters , there is a GB20 which is not suggested for diesels and a GB40 which is.
Other massive ones as well.
Interesting that they quote the output in Joules as well as Amps. This gives a measurement of how long current can be sustained. My current one I think peaked at maybe 400A for about 1sec.
Disappointing that they do not include a mains charger as standard.

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[Augusta08]

On the Augusta there's a setting on the habitation control panel to recharge the vehicle battery from the leisures. I've only used it once, took about 10 minutes to bring the vehicle battery back from 8v to 12.5v then the starter worked!!!

 

[martin2603]

I bought a 12volt booster from our local factors £120.00 made in China, total c...p leads to ligh and too short . They started to kink early sign of lead breaking, sent it back. Went to Machine Mart and for £160.00 bought a Jump Start 4000. 12 volt only , long heavy duty leads with big croc clamps . My 12/24 volt pack needs one battery replacing, but I have had it for 10 years good bit of kit. If the 4000 lasts as well I will have no complaints. We also have one of the Sealey lightweight lithium jobs, pain to use because it switches off when the engine fires. No good for Bigger Deisels.

 

[fullfat]

What's the matter with everyone... just fit a kickstarter

 

[Jaws]

Have you bought one and is it still working ie is the battery still holding a charge and have you ever used it to start a motorhome .

Halfrauds ( I think ), 2 years old and perfect, started my motorhome with it a few times without issue..
If you do get one, read the instructions ! Do not be kidded in to thinking it is exactly the same as using jump leads

 

[Zepp]

Halfrauds ( I think ), 2 years old and perfect, started my motorhome with it a few times without issue..
If you do get one, read the instructions ! Do not be kidded in to thinking it is exactly the same as using jump leads

Thanx I bought one and it’s a great bit of kit

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