Recommend a cheap reliable mini-jumpstart

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Recommend a cheap reliable mini-jumpstart

gzt

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#323297 15-Nov-2025 18:14

Recommend a cheap reliable mini-jumpstart if you have one.

I know, pick one out of two ; ).

I'm going to purchase a cheap one between $100-$150 in the next day or two. My vehicles are 1500-1800cc. A small one should be adequate.

BlakJak

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#3434852 15-Nov-2025 20:01

I have a SCA 800A unit that works fine. Mine is discontinued now, unfortunately, but both SCA and Repco have several, generally size/capacity has to match your likely draw (Roughly relates to engine size)

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davidcole

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#3434854 15-Nov-2025 20:11

I used my mophie battery with charger start imagine this week. Worked well on a little 4 pot. Not sure if it will start my v6 diesel.

Much easer than jumper cables

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johno1234

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#3434856 15-Nov-2025 20:22

NOCO. I have one - they just work. This one is gruntier than you asked for but the stronger the better.

NOCO Boost GB40: 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter

gzt

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#3435569 18-Nov-2025 14:56

I have my eye on the Noco Boost Sport 500. Up to 20 starts on one charge they say for up to 4 litre engine size. Not that I'll need 20. One is usually enough.

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/noco-noco-genius-ultrasafe-boost-sport-12v-500-amp-jump-starter/648011.html

https://www.repco.co.nz/globes-batteries-electrical/battery-chargers-power-accessories/jump-starters/noco-boost-12v-500a-jump-starter-gb20/p/A6213546

I'm going to wait a bit longer cross my fingers and hope for a black friday deal

richms

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#3435571 18-Nov-2025 15:02

I got a noco one. And the piece of crap still uses mini USB and super slow charge speeds. Same for using its output (only provides a USB-A) - no fast charge standards at all, just a pathetic 2.1A 5V port so using it as a powerbank is pointless.

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djtOtago

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#3435593 18-Nov-2025 16:05

The GBX series of NOCO Jump starters have USB-C with an in / output of up to 60w for charging and charging things.

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kiwifidget

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#3435774 18-Nov-2025 19:14

Are these jumpy things safe to use on cars with start-stop batteries?

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tweake

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#3435783 18-Nov-2025 19:41

project farm has done a bit of testing over the years.

richms

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#3435787 18-Nov-2025 19:58

djtOtago:

The GBX series of NOCO Jump starters have USB-C with an in / output of up to 60w for charging and charging things.

Well thats good that they got with the program about 5 years late then. Not sure if mine would still be in warranty period to hope that it fails for a return tho.

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johno1234

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#3435808 18-Nov-2025 20:32

Mine's old. I got it for jump starting so don't really care about the USB powerbank feature. Slow charging is probably good for the battery. As long as you keep it charged I don't see slow charging as a problem. You get a dozen or more starts out of a full charge so just chuck it on a charger to slow charge until you need it?

rp1790

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#3435877 19-Nov-2025 07:10

I've bought two of these over the years for my two daughters. One of the daughters has used it a number of times when having a dodgy battery (small car) and they work fine, a lifesaver actually. They are cheap, and yes I have a much more expensive higher quality one in my car, but the cheapies work. Only ever got re-charged once a year when I did it for her and they did the job.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/batteries-chargers/listing/5624759631

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Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#3435930 19-Nov-2025 11:58

I bought a Caross jump starter from Supercheap before I embarked on a 1200km round trip in my old Hilux that was loaded up with a camp fridge and heaps of other gadgets that needed to be run on or charged by the car's 12 volt system. It just provided some peace of mind that I wouldn't get stranded somewhere due to inadvertently running the car battery down.

I bought the mack daddy 2000 amp model (circa $250) with 20000mAh battery as I also run a V8 diesel Touareg and a V6 power boat - so wanted something that could start anything anywhere. I like that it has a built in torch and USB ports for 18W quick charging/powering other devices in a squeeze. I've used it a number of times and it does what it says on the tin, and comes with a nice hard carry case rather than the cheap draw string bag like some others come with.

Caross also does an 800amp model (10000mAh) for $154 which might be worth a look.

Reviews are mostly positive - a couple of complaints about how long they take to charge - but because it doesn't come with a wall adapter, I suspect most people use a basic phone adapter that doesn't have enough grunt. I use the adapter from my MacBook which seems to charge it from around 20% to full in around 90 minutes.