jumper cables or jump starter?
 

Realized I have no idea where my jumper cables from 1997 ended up so wondering if I should replace the jumper cables or get a jump starter? If a jump starter, do you have one you recommend?

fun facts:
1) I have AAA
2) female driver here, hence #1, but wouldn't hurt to have something.


Saw this pro tip of storing them above the spare and I liked it since I always have something in the trunk: http://moderntoil.com/?p=905

I have carried cables for 40 years. When I was poor and broke I used them all the time. I don't think they have been out of the trunk for actual use in the last 20 years though. For the very very, very, very, rare occasions you may need them with a new(ish) car they are all you need. Easier to store than a jump pack and don't require any maintenance at all.

I like jump packs. If you are somewhere and you kill your battery, then you can start your car yourself.
Jumper cables rely on the kindness of someone else. (hopefully they are not totally weird!)

My good friend has one, and she loves it! It is lithium, so holds a charge for years too!

https://www.harborfreight.com/lithiu...UaArVpEALw_wcB

weirdos are usually my biggest problem.

Oh, for me, I just pack a set of jumper cables. For my daughter, I would recommend a jump pack.

:iono:


humfrz

A lot of the jump packs also have the ability to charge up your devices too which is also an added function. Though you can't beat your kid with the jump pack like you can jumper cables. Hopefully someone at least got that reference :)

I think that's true for most of us …. :sigh:


humfrz

I have this. it has saved me a few times.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then a pack it is!
I sometimes forget that the Canadian and American situations are different. I pull over to the side of the road or a parking lot, open my hood and within about 2 minutes would have nice normal people stop to ask if I need a boost. I have had people stop and ask when I was putting windshield washer fluid in at a store.

Huh, that is kinda cool. Not sure I'd trust HF stuff not to blow up at some point, but looks useful.

Yeah I got a jump pack and I love it. You can also charge your phone on it! (Not that I ever do but just in case)

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I hear you. Harbor freight stuff can be hit or miss.


I suggested it because:
My coworker Starr has one. After it "saved" her, she suggested it to everyone in our office. The reviews online are also positive.

I worked for AAA and always advised that people keep a jumper pack in their car, charge it every couple months using the wall plug to be sure it's fresh. I save people every winter at work because I have a battery pack in my car. When they're fiddling with cables, I hook my jump pack on and let them start.

Just be advised, the jumper pack is just like cables in that it doesn't deliver a charge to the battery, it will still be dead, so let the alternator charge the battery for at least a hal;f hour after you get going.

I've been in a couple situations where jump packs don't work and I've had to resort to using cables as a backup. So I carry both; particularly since the cables fit so nearly in the spare tire well.