500-amp or 1,000-amp Battery Jump Pack

[88bmwjeff]

I'm finally going to pull the trigger and get a battery jump pack. I know there are several good companies out there, but I'm leaning towards the NOCO G20 (500A) or the G40 (1000A). For $20 does it make sense to get the G40 with 1000A over the G20 with 500A? FYI, they both have the same size dimensions and weight according to NOCO's website, so size and weight is not an issue.

NOCO GB20

NOCO GB40

 

[omega man]

Thread here with more information- https://forums.bmwmoa.org/threads/e...e-antigravity-jump-packs-and-products.103797/

FWIW, I have a number of NOCO products and I’m satisfied. With the attention to detail in their packaging, I think you will be confident that they are trying to be first rate.
OM

 

[etiennelau]

The G40 means you can be a good Samaritan to a cager with a very large engine....

 

[pauls1150]

My little battery jumper (no longer made by MicroStart, it was their smallest) had no trouble starting several cars and a couple of trucks (with re-charging in between), so you can probably still be a hero with the smaller one.
The ONLY reason I don't still have it is because the case swelled up about a year ago. Watch out for this, no matter what you get.

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

Getting the smaller of the two packs would work fine IMHO.

The trick is to not recharge these batteries to 100% all the time. More and more companies I.E. Tesla, Apple, Victron, Battleborn etc, are warning against charging lithium batteries to full capacity all the time.
You should also not discharge them to less than 10-15%. YMMV

 

[mneblett]

I've had a MicroStart and have a couple GB40s. My vote is go for the 40, because it will give you reserve capacity when you need multiple jumps. For example, I recently had the battery in my wife's 5.0 Mustang start pushing up daisies when out on the road. Every time I had to stop I had to use the GB40. No problems with 3 (4?) jumps, with at least a 1/3 of its capacity still left.

Not sure the GB20 would have done as well -- it probably could have done 3 starts, but I suspect it would have been exhausted by then and leaving us without the "reserve" for another start if I screwed up with the clutch and stalled the engine. The GB40's battery *should* last longer (although it seems there aren't many truly long-term reliable lithium jump packs), because when it's capacity has reduced to 70% of original, it will still have sufficient energy to start something that a GB20 at 70% might not.

 

[omega man]

Along those lines, I was working on one of my machines with a Wisconsin V-4 and in trying to boost, the Anti-Gravity pack was aware of the number of times starting was attempted in a certain time period. After three attempts, there was a 10 minute "rest" before a start could be once again attempted. I was asking a lot of the unit.
OM

 

[88bmwjeff]

Thanks everyone. GB40 ordered. A little extra power in reserve for $20 seems like money well spent.

 

[88bmwjeff]

So, the GB40 came. It's charged and in one of my side cases now. This is one of those items, I hope I never need, but will be glad if and when I do.

I do have two little pet peeves about it. First of all, it came with a very thick (±5mm) booklet of its warranty around the globe, but no instructions. You must go to their site to download the three very small pages of instructions. WTF, I find this very annoying, but has a quick and easy work around.

Second, is that it uses a micro USB to charge. WTF again, this is so antiquated USB C has been around for about 10 years, yet they went with such old technology (±18 years). Perhaps there's a reason for it that's just not apparent to me. Just what everybody wants is a multitude of different charging cables. Unlike the lack of instructions, this is something I will need to deal with as long as I own this, and make sure I carry the appropriate charging cable when I go on trips.

Anyway, the GB40 has good reviews and should be happy with it.

 

[GTRider]

Hard to believe that companies are still using tech that old, but it is what it is. Something from this page might help.

Best,
DeVern

 

[omega man]

My Anti-Gravity jump pack is charged through the accessory cigar plug cable that came with it.
OM

 

[88bmwjeff]

Hard to believe that companies are still using tech that old, but it is what it is. Something from this page might help.

Best,
DeVern

Thanks DeVern. I've got a bunch of those already. But, I'm trying to pare down what electronic stuff I need to keep around.

 

[88bmwjeff]

My Anti-Gravity jump pack is charged through the accessory cigar plug cable that came with it.
OM

I'm talking about the other end of the cable. There's the cigar plug end that goes to the "cigarette lighter port" and there's the cable end at the jump pack itself. I'm talking about the port on the jump pack that the charge cable plugs into.

 

[omega man]

I'm talking about the other end of the cable. There's the cigar plug end that goes to the "cigarette lighter port" and there's the cable end at the jump pack itself. I'm talking about the port on the jump pack that the charge cable plugs into.

Again, I charge mine with the included Cigar cable. Only way I have ever charged it. The Cigar cable charger came with it as an included accessory.
OM

 

[88bmwjeff]

Is the cigar cable attached to the unit or can you remove it?

 

[omega man]

Is the cigar cable attached to the unit or can you remove it?

It’s a made-up assembly that plugs into a port.
Included-
OM

Complete Kit​

The Micro-Start XP-20-HD is incredibly simple to use. It comes in a durable zippered Carry Case with EVERYTHING you need to Jump-Start your Vehicles and Charge your Electronics no matter where you are.

• 1 Micro-Start XP-20-HD
• 1 Carry Case
• 1 set of Jumper Clamps
• 1 USB-C to USB-C Cable
• 1 USB-A to USB-C Cable
• 1 Cig Lighter Adapter
• 1 SC100W Mobile/Car Charger
• 1 Instruction Manual

 

[lee]

It’s a made-up assembly that plugs into a port.
Included-
OM

Complete Kit​

The Micro-Start XP-20-HD is incredibly simple to use. It comes in a durable zippered Carry Case with EVERYTHING you need to Jump-Start your Vehicles and Charge your Electronics no matter where you are.

• 1 Micro-Start XP-20-HD
• 1 Carry Case
• 1 set of Jumper Clamps
• 1 USB-C to USB-C Cable
• 1 USB-A to USB-C Cable
• 1 Cig Lighter Adapter
• 1 SC100W Mobile/Car Charger
• 1 Instruction Manual

View attachment 99825

For me, I prefer to use the provided USB C cable to charge. On trips I carry a charger that has USB C ports for our phones and tablet.
I use the same charger at home.

 

[lee]

Second, is that it uses a micro USB to charge. WTF again, this is so antiquated USB C has been around for about 10 years,

That's surprising. The Android phone I bought 8 years ago had a USB C port for charging.
Since then when I buy a device that charges with USB I make sure the charge port is C.