Best Jump Starter

[shermanator2]

I have a couple of NOCO GBX155s and have a couple of notes to share.

My son borrowed one to start his friends Jeep that had been sitting for a couple of months. He said it would not work. I later read the instructions to discover that when jumping a very dead battery you need to hold the power button down for an extended period of time ( I think it was 10s, maybe more) to get it to turn on.

Last month I was using one for a cell phone booster. At the end of the day I put it in its case and put it under the back seat. The next I pulled it out to do the same thing and discovered that the light was turned on and it was significantly discharged. It was a good thing that I pulled it out the next day, otherwise it could have sat there for months and been trash when I pulled it back out. So be sure not to bump the light button.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

It can be both, depending on the time you have to use it. Here's some verbiage from one AI generated site but essentially, the ideal storage temperature is between 35 and 86F. Not realistic at all in a vehicle in the west or south. (And most everywhere else.) So there has to be more to the analysis.

"AI generated" (Take it with a grain of salt...) Question: lithium-ion storage temperature?
32°F to 86°F
The storage temperature range for Lithium Ion cells and batteries is -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to 140°F)12. The recommended storage temperature range is 0°C to 30°C (32°F to 86°F)12. At this storage temperature range, the battery will require a maintenance charge within a nine (9) to twelve (12) month period1. The best storage method is to store them at a low temperature, not below 0°C, at 40% to 50% capacity. Storage at 5°C to 15°C is optimal3. According to one source, the perfect storage temperature for lithium-ion batteries is 59℉ (15℃)4.

This is a link explaining the parameters in detail of a specific battery; however, all batteries are not the same and descriptions or parameters vary widely.

Lithium Battery Temperature Ranges: A Complete Overview

Lithium Battery Temperature Ranges are vital for performance and longevity. Explore bestranges, effects of extremes, storage tips, and management strategies.

www.ufinebattery.com

The best bet is to store the Noco inside the truck and near the floor. I used to keep it in the back under the D-back cover until I realized how hot that thing actually gets. Today is a sunny day; outside temp "officially" 97, actual measured ~102; a typical average day here at this time of year.

However, measured direct on the D-back cover, 124 in the shaded areas, 151 in the sun, 120 just underneath the cover near the storage bin. (Not taking temperature under the cover on the lid, rather taking it on the bin, which is isolated from the top and where the Noco used to be stored.) It's currently 3 PM, close to the hottest part of the day.

Further testing revealed 114 at the inside console side, 140 on the seats, 102 on the floor, 98 under the back seat. All temperatures taken within seconds of each other so opening the doors had little to no effect on ambient temperature.

So, subjecting a lithium-ion battery to these temperatures in the bed can be devastating. Also, an annual recharge is probably necessary. (Which I have been delinquent on, will do this today.)

So, one may not want to carry cables, but it's not a bad idea as a backup. Just sayin...

So, I decided to charge the Noco 155 last night, after many months of sitting in the back of the truck under some pretty extreme temperatures, the battery was still near full and only took 2 hours to fully recover. The charge current it was drawing was approximately 1 amp. Much better than I expected.

I used my home-made Milwaukee charge/power station so I could monitor the voltage, current and a small scope to see if there were any variations in the voltage while charging.

 

[JTredway]

It can be both, depending on the time you have to use it. Here's some verbiage from one AI generated site but essentially, the ideal storage temperature is between 35 and 86F. Not realistic at all in a vehicle in the west or south. (And most everywhere else.) So there has to be more to the analysis.

"AI generated" (Take it with a grain of salt...) Question: lithium-ion storage temperature?
32°F to 86°F
The storage temperature range for Lithium Ion cells and batteries is -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to 140°F)12. The recommended storage temperature range is 0°C to 30°C (32°F to 86°F)12. At this storage temperature range, the battery will require a maintenance charge within a nine (9) to twelve (12) month period1. The best storage method is to store them at a low temperature, not below 0°C, at 40% to 50% capacity. Storage at 5°C to 15°C is optimal3. According to one source, the perfect storage temperature for lithium-ion batteries is 59℉ (15℃)4.

This is a link explaining the parameters in detail of a specific battery; however, all batteries are not the same and descriptions or parameters vary widely.

Lithium Battery Temperature Ranges: A Complete Overview

Lithium Battery Temperature Ranges are vital for performance and longevity. Explore bestranges, effects of extremes, storage tips, and management strategies.

www.ufinebattery.com

The best bet is to store the Noco inside the truck and near the floor. I used to keep it in the back under the D-back cover until I realized how hot that thing actually gets. Today is a sunny day; outside temp "officially" 97, actual measured ~102; a typical average day here at this time of year.

However, measured direct on the D-back cover, 124 in the shaded areas, 151 in the sun, 120 just underneath the cover near the storage bin. (Not taking temperature under the cover on the lid, rather taking it on the bin, which is isolated from the top and where the Noco used to be stored.) It's currently 3 PM, close to the hottest part of the day.

Further testing revealed 114 at the inside console side, 140 on the seats, 102 on the floor, 98 under the back seat. All temperatures taken within seconds of each other so opening the doors had little to no effect on ambient temperature.

So, subjecting a lithium-ion battery to these temperatures in the bed can be devastating. Also, an annual recharge is probably necessary. (Which I have been delinquent on, will do this today.)

So, one may not want to carry cables, but it's not a bad idea as a backup. Just sayin...

So, I decided to charge the Noco 155 last night, after many months of sitting in the back of the truck under some pretty extreme temperatures, the battery was still near full and only took 2 hours to fully recover. The charge current it was drawing was approximately 1 amp. Much better than I expected.

I used my home-made Milwaukee charge/power station so I could monitor the voltage, current and a small scope to see if there were any variations in the voltage while charging.
View attachment 169706

Following this, sometimes mine is in the back under the Bakflip and sometimes it's in the truck under the rear seat in the storage. I have this exact one the (NOCO Boost X GBX155 4250A )

 

[GT-SD]

Do any of you use this to jump AGM Batteries? All of the NOCO language says for Lead-Acid use only. It specifies it multiple times in the manuals. That is the only reason I haven't pulled the trigger on one. Is there a better alternative out there or do you just use it anyway? I wonder what the ramifications of using it on an AGM.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Do any of you use this to jump AGM Batteries? All of the NOCO language says for Lead-Acid use only. It specifies it multiple times in the manuals. That is the only reason I haven't pulled the trigger on one. Is there a better alternative out there or do you just use it anyway? I wonder what the ramifications of using it on an AGM.

Great question! Yes, they can be used for AGM batteries. An AGM battery is a lead acid battery with a different construction than the flooded lead acid battery. That's it.

They are not advised for lithium style batteries due to maximum voltage that can be applied to a lithium battery safely.

There are many references from experts who also will attest, there is no danger in using a jump starter to start a vehicle with an AGM battery.

Google it or contact Noco direct.

NOCO - 4250A Lithium Jump Starter - GBX155

The GBX155 is a 4,250-amp portable lithium jump starter booster pack that delivers extreme power for jump starting a car, boat, truck, and more.

no.co

Data sheet that specifies AGM

https://no.co/media/nocodownloads/format/g/b/gbx155_data_sheet_02.21.2024_1.pdf

Here's the top line answer from AI generated data:
Yes, some NOCO jump starters can be used on AGM batteries, including:

• NOCO GB40
  A 1000-amp jump starter that can handle gas engines up to six liters and a wide range of small to midsize SUVs and half-ton trucks
  
  
  
• NOCO GB70
  A 2000-amp jump starter that can handle gas engines up to eight liters and diesel powertrains up to six liters
  
  

NOCO also offers the Genius line of battery chargers and maintainers, which can be used on AGM batteries, as well as other types of batteries. The Genius1 can charge dead batteries as low as 1-volt, and it has a thermal sensor that adjusts the charge to prevent over-charging in hot climates and under-charging in cold climates. The Genius10 can charge multiple battery types and chemistries, including AGM, gel, flooded, and maintenance-free batteries.

 

[GT-SD]

Great question! Yes, they can be used for AGM batteries. An AGM battery is a lead acid battery with a different construction than the flooded lead acid battery. That's it.

That is a good point. Usually when I think of "Lead-Acid", it's a wet style battery, but you are correct, AGM is a type of Lead-Acid. The NOCO manual doesn't specify the "Wet" part, so it's probably a non-issue with AGM. Guess I'm used to most manuals differentiating the AGM's from the typical "Wet" Lead Acid. Thanks.

 

[Alpoba]

NOCO also offers the Genius line of battery chargers and maintainers, which can be used on AGM batteries, as well as other types of batteries. The Genius1 can charge dead batteries as low as 1-volt, and it has a thermal sensor that adjusts the charge to prevent over-charging in hot climates and under-charging in cold climates. The Genius10 can charge multiple battery types and chemistries, including AGM, gel, flooded, and maintenance-free batteries

Is this one ok to use and leave mounted on my driver side 2nd battery? i know you’re an expert on these things so i just wanted to confirm.

Amazon.com

a.co

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Is this one ok to use and leave mounted on my driver side 2nd battery? i know you’re an expert on these things so i just wanted to confirm.

Amazon.com

a.co

Yes, this is a good product for that. It's also what I have done, it is plugged in on the driver's side battery when the truck is sitting for any length of time.

 

[Abe Fromen]

NOCO

 

[RedZilla]

This is a bit of a stretch for this topic, but for those that carry a fridge in the back of the truck, or just carry a lithium battery pack as standard gear, EcoFlow has a dc to dc charger for their lithium battery packs that has a reverse charge feature. I recently upgraded my fridge power supply, a Jackery 1000, to a EcoFlow Delta Pro 3600. I’m planning to add their dc/dc charger next. The power pack and the charger are Bluetooth controllable on there app and allows you to back feed power back to a drained battery. Just wanted to share as this is another option for some.

 

[Fozzy]

This is a bit of a stretch for this topic, but for those that carry a fridge in the back of the truck, or just carry a lithium battery pack as standard gear, EcoFlow has a dc to dc charger for their lithium battery packs that has a reverse charge feature. I recently upgraded my fridge power supply, a Jackery 1000, to a EvoFlow Delta Pro 3600. I’m planning to add there dc/dc charger next. The power pack and the charger are Bluetooth controllable on there app and allows you to back feed power back to a drained battery. Just wanted to share as this is another option for some.
View attachment 179019View attachment 179020

I have had this since it came out. Pretty good piece of kit, but it only does one charge cycle as of now. I have been hoping for an update to let it stay on or set a schedule. So when you select Maintenance/Reverse Charge mode it will charge the battery one time then turn off. I am sure this is a safety feature as it does not know the chemistry or the temperature of the battery its charging. It also completely turns off after a few days of inactivity. Delta stays on and running, but if it doesn't sense any alternator voltage it shuts down. Probably to keep the parasite draw off the Delta's as that is where it gets is power from. But then you have to manually push the power button, you can't turn it back on from the app. So put it a place that's easy to get to. I have not personally tried it as a jump starter, but people say it does not work as one. It has to have a minimum battery voltage to work.

 

[1337logan]

Just go watch project farm on youtube. He has an episode for this with lots of testing.

 

[trmrzla]

Another vote for Noco: GBX75

 

[Alpoba]

I fetched gx155 a few years ago for $225 on sale, now it’s like $370 according to projectfarm. So far i used it 3 times to start other people in need, did not have to use it on my truck just yet.

 

[Optimus]

I recommend a little piece of the Allspark my human friends. Without it, Sam learned the hard way:

But with too much spark, Sam learned the hard way again with unwanted confrontation.

Be careful and always know we are here for you.

 

[Optimus]

This is a bit of a stretch for this topic, but for those that carry a fridge in the back of the truck, or just carry a lithium battery pack as standard gear, EcoFlow has a dc to dc charger for their lithium battery packs that has a reverse charge feature. I recently upgraded my fridge power supply, a Jackery 1000, to a EcoFlow Delta Pro 3600. I’m planning to add their dc/dc charger next. The power pack and the charger are Bluetooth controllable on there app and allows you to back feed power back to a drained battery. Just wanted to share as this is another option for some.
View attachment 179019View attachment 179020

Really smart of you to crop out the price. Thanks a lot. Really had me interested but nooooooo. Not cool man! Not cool.

 

[shermanator2]

Is this one ok to use and leave mounted on my driver side 2nd battery? i know you’re an expert on these things so i just wanted to confirm.

Amazon.com

a.co

NOCO instructions say not to mount it on top of the battery because acid fumes will cause corrosion. I think that is probably just a thing for flooded batteries. If you have AGM it is probably OK.

 

[RedZilla]

Really smart of you to crop out the price. Thanks a lot. Really had me interested but nooooooo. Not cool man! Not cool.

I knew it was a stretch for the topic, but some have or plan for off grid type travels and have these type setups already. Adds another capability.

 

[Optimus]

I knew it was a stretch for the topic, but some have or plan for off grid type travels and have these type setups already. Adds another capability.

Hmmm mmmm...