{"id":3548,"date":"2018-09-24T08:34:36","date_gmt":"2018-09-24T08:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notsealed.com\/?p=3548"},"modified":"2023-07-23T12:12:36","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T12:12:36","slug":"what-size-car-jump-starter-do-i-need-all-your-questions-answered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notsealed.com\/what-size-car-jump-starter-do-i-need-all-your-questions-answered.html","title":{"rendered":"What size car jump starter do I need? – All your questions answered"},"content":{"rendered":"
As technology advances, we have access to devices that are cheaper and more powerful than the previous generation. One of the last components to be improved is the humble 12v car battery jump starter. This is because it is so well made, has great battery power reserves, and lasts a long time before needing to be replaced.<\/p>\n
Car batteries on average only last around 3-5 years before needing to be replaced. Over time they will get sulfate crystals to build upon the lead plates which will reduce their output power. This is unavoidable and is just part of the battery lifecycle.<\/p>\n
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The amps required to start your car will be determined by the size of your engine and if it is petrol or diesel. This is because diesel engines run at a much higher compression ratio so the load on the starter motor is higher.<\/p>\n
But we need to also take into account the inrush current which can be 3-4 times higher than the standard starter motor running current. This inrush current is also called peak current. Many quality jump starters will rate the peak and starting amps.<\/p>\n
These figures can increase slightly with different viscosity engine oils, colder weather, and if the engine is a diesel. If we take the Toyota Corolla example then 100×4=400A of peak in rush current.<\/p>\n
A portable jump starter capable of handling 400A peak current will be fine.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What size car jump starter do I need?<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
The newer lithium-ion jump starters are made from high-quality components and are able to supply over 1000A which is amazing from such small devices. Depending on the size of your vehicle engine you may only need a smaller pocket-size jump starter. The most common sizes are as follows.<\/p>\n
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- 400A – For small to medium-sized cars like the Toyota Corolla or Ford Focus<\/li>\n
- 600A – For small to larger family-size cars like the Ford Escape and personal watercraft.<\/li>\n
- 800A – All cars including V8 engine models such as the Camaro and Mustang.<\/li>\n
- 1000A – Larger V8 diesel engines in trucks, boats, and mining equipment.<\/li>\n
- 3000A – Will start anything. We recommend the Topdon JS3000A jumpstarter.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Many people prefer to just go with the 1000A Jump Starter models.<\/a> This way you can cover the most popular brands of vehicles and various motor sizes. Because who knows when you may come over to someone who needs a jump start in their big 4×4 truck. Be a hero for the day and get them going again.<\/p>\n
24v truck jump starter<\/h3>\n
If your heavy vehicle runs a 24v electrical system then you will need to use a 24v semi-truck jump starter.<\/a> These have two 12v batteries wired together in series to provide 24v to your prime mover.<\/p>\n
You can’t use a 12v jump starter on a 24v electrical system. The simple way to work out if your truck uses a 24v electrical system is to see if there are 2x batteries wired in series under the hood.<\/p>\n
Some trucks have a pair of batteries wired in parallel. This is for a backup system or to run aux devices like fridges etc. They are still a 12v system.<\/p>\n
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- 2x Batteries wired in series, 24v system<\/li>\n
- 2x batteries wired in parallel, 12v system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Lithium jump starter vs lead acid<\/h2>\n
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Lithium-Ion has the added advantage of holding a charge longer, being more lightweight, and outputting a huge amount of power fast. They also don’t leak unlike a sealed lead acid battery if left on its side for a long period of time.<\/p>\n
For storage, there is no better product than a small compact emergency jump starter. Every car should come standard with one and they are so easy to use. Just connect it to your battery and press start. Waite 20 seconds and then start your car.<\/p>\n
There are built-in safety features so you won’t get it wrong and short out your electrics. Most lithium-ion jump packs now have a light, and USB charging ports for your phone. Not only can it save your car it can jump-start your phone.<\/p>\n
In fact, some of the smaller pocket size\u00a0jump starters<\/a> can easily fit into your shirt pocket and at around 400-500 amps they are a lot cheaper than the 800A models. I also like that I can travel domestically and internationally on a plane with these compact jump starters. They are really light and can double up as a phone emergency charger.<\/p>\n
What about these big 2500A jump starters?<\/h2>\n
Jumpstarters every year get more powerful. I had a chance to review a Nexpow 2500 amp 22000mAh jump starter<\/a> and it was really good. It had thousands of positive reviews so I pulled it apart to see what was inside. So check out that post if you like.<\/p>\n
The Nexpow lithium jump starter is on my recommended list now as it will start any 12v car or truck on the road.<\/p>\n
How to care for your car battery<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Car batteries are one of the most neglected devices in our vehicles. They either work or they don’t. By the time your car battery stops working it is usually too late to do anything apart from getting a new battery as the damage has already been done.<\/p>\n
Start by checking the battery acid level at least monthly. During regular usage, the battery water level will slowly evaporate. There will be correct water levels on your battery outer case that you can compare from.<\/p>\n