Portable Jump Starter - a Necessity?

[FamousAmos]

Hey Folks, this is my first Hybrid vehicle, so I have zero experience with electric engines. One of our members bought a NOCO 1250 Boost Portable Jump Starter for his hybrid Maverick. IS THIS SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE IN MY REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT? The price is under $150, so, if I really need it, it is not a budget buster. That said, I don't need another expensive toy if it is just going to take up space and never be used. So, I will appreciate any input from you-all. My truck should be delivered to my dealer between April 26 and May 2, so my breathing is starting to get more difficult.

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[paneubert]

If not for you, for when you need to help someone else out. You can get one for much cheaper than $150. Look around on Amazon.

 

[WesM]

My brother in law got me a NOCO-GBX45 Charge Pack for Christmas. I was actually thinking about getting one, so the gift was timely. It seems like a really easy way to help someone out or get yourself out of a tight spot if nobody can get to you quick. Look at it as cheap insurance.

 

[Vongreg]

You don’t need to carry a boost pack for a Hybrid any more than you would for a non hybrid. Do you carry one now? No? Then the answer is no.

 

[Ohio44890]

I have the 45 model….they work great if you need a jump

 

[bgn]

I have a portable jump starter. You can get one for less than $75...

 

[Lone Star Proud]

Hey Folks, this is my first Hybrid vehicle, so I have zero experience with electric engines. One of our members bought a NOCO 1250 Boost Portable Jump Starter for his hybrid Maverick. IS THIS SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE IN MY REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT? The price is under $150, so, if I really need it, it is not a budget buster. That said, I don't need another expensive toy if it is just going to take up space and never be used. So, I will appreciate any input from you-all. My truck should be delivered to my dealer between April 26 and May 2, so my breathing is starting to get more difficult.

I've had one for a year and it is so much damn easier than finding another car and using cables. They can be bought for under a hundred.

 

[JASmith]

Pros: Say you're out camping and wake up in the morning and the vehicle is dead and worse your phone is almost out of juice. The jumper/backup battery not only can hopefully get your vehicle started without relying on being able to find another person with a vehicle, but if you need to charge your phone to call for help because its more than just a dead battery and be able to direct them an hour later to when they get there, you're in business. Its also generally safer with modern more sensitive electronics to jump the vehicle with a NOCO type battery than with jump cables to another vehicle, and its also just a lot easier no maneuvering required such as pushing your vehicle in neutral because you're in a parking garage with spaces occupied next to you so another vehicle can get close enough.

Cons: Jumper cables are smaller and cheaper and they don't mind sitting untouched for years even in the hottest summer climates. The battery on the other hand will need to be topped off now and then, and in two years it may puff up and become unsafe to keep in your vehicle as a fire hazard or fail even faster under very hot conditions since vehicles can become like ovens parked in the sun.

I have a NOCO battery backup in each vehicle, but only purchased when they were heavily discounted usually on a black Friday sale. Only time I've used them was once brought in when at the hospital since I didn't have a phone charger and was able to get the phone topped off, and the second time surprisingly to jump a very old airplane with a weak battery and we were glad that was packed in the little emergency kit even though the original idea for bringing it was just in case we needed to power the portable GPS in the plane or our phones since the battery didn't have signs of problems working just fine when he took it off the battery tender and flew off but not after lunch on one of our stops.

tl;dr: I have one, recommend it, but only if you get one at a great discount as its not a must-have.

 

[Flomounier1]

Considering some Mavericks have battery drain issues, it's not a bad idea. I keep one in all my cars regardless of how new or reliable they are. Plus, when you are put on the spot to jump start someone else's car, at least you don't have to use your own car to jump them.

 

[RonFLA]

The most useful one is cordless and has a built-in tire inflator.

Lokithor JA300 Jump Starter with Air Compressor

 

[WesM]

They have the jump packs on the ford accessory website, I wonder if you could get it through your dealer using the fordpass points you get from buying the truck. Would basically be a free boost pack with your truck.

Edit:
These guys take the fordpass points if you call them up.

https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/oem-parts/ford-charger-battery-vjl3z10a765as

 

[OXHB619]

I just replaced a 5 year old Aukey one with an Audew ( recommended by Project Farm). I have used them for others way more than myself, but it is nice for peace of mind. Most double as a portable USB battery pack so if your power goes out, you can grab it to charge phones, tablets, etc. I have gotten lots of surprised looks when a tiny box jumps a truck or big SUV.

 

[Bj517]

I'm assuming the smallest, least powerful Noco would be more than sufficient for a hybrid since the 12v doesn't have to power a starter?

 

[FamousAmos]

The most useful one is cordless and has a built-in tire inflator.

Lokithor JA300 Jump Starter with Air Compressor

Thanks to all of you guys! Reading your responses reminded me of the 60 years of jump-starting other peoples' cars with my jumper cables, and what a PITA it was. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. For the first time in my life, I have no outside electrical hookup, as I live in an apartment. Last week, I had to put a little air in a rear tire to get the dashboard light to go off, so I had to drive over to my sister's house, run my extension cord from the driveway to her garage, then hook it up to my little air compressor. I live in the 20th century, and I am still having trouble wrapping my brain around the "portable charger" concept, even after reading the instructions. THANKS AGAIN. After last week's experience, the air compressor sold me, so I ordered the Lokithor JA300 off Amazon for $99.

 

[Michaelkov]

The most useful one is cordless and has a built-in tire inflator.

Lokithor JA300 Jump Starter with Air Compressor

I bought a Halo rechargeable Air Compressor w/ Jumper cables (and portable power cell with emergency light). Fits neatly under the back seat. I gave one to my daughter for her birthday and she bought one for each of her vehicles and for her in-laws. They're just dandy things to have, regardless of brand.
https://halo.acgbrands.com/en_US/halo-bolt-air-plus.html

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