[My Beautiful Stelvio]

I searched the forum regarding these and the few threads were older so hence this post.
Has anyone purchased or used one of these? A neighbor with a Toyota Hylander called me yesterday with a dead battery asking for a jump. Couldn’t help him but it made me think. Haven’t had a problem with my original 2 1/2 year old battery but would like to be prepared just in case.
I’ve seen several of these on Amazon:

 

[wpozzz]

I have the Type S from Costco and it is easy to use. I have used it to jump start a couple of cars for stranded people.

 

[My Beautiful Stelvio]

I have the Type S from Costco and it is easy to use. I have used it to jump start a couple of cars for stranded people.

Thanks. I’ll Google it. Not a Costco member but my aunt and uncle go there twice a month.

 

[Matt2172]

I got the Schumacher from autozone. It’s got USB so you can charge it in your car, and then it’s got output so you can charge your devices… it’s come in handy 1 or 2x already… good peace of mind cuz these cars use some juice.

 

[My Beautiful Stelvio]

I got the Schumacher from autozone. It’s got USB so you can charge it in your car, and then it’s got output so you can charge your devices… it’s come in handy 1 or 2x already… good peace of mind cuz these cars use some juice.

Thanks Matt. So cable lengths are good and easy to just hook it up under the hood?

 

[goblue]

Interstate battery has a nice one that I've used. I think I paid $100.

 

[ALFAOFFROAD]

Just for general knowledge...

Best way to help someone with a jump start from your Stelvio is to connect the jumper cables, then start your car.

DO NOT START THE OTHER CAR YET.

Let your car idle for maybe 10 minutes.

Then try the other car.


Giving the time allows the other battery to charge some and avoid a surge when starting. It is also acceptable to disconnect your car hoping the other has enough charge to star without your at that point. Obviously it isn't always possible to do this and you can't help.

All the suggestions here are solid as far a a jumper pack. Everyone should have one just for convenience IMO.

 

[Alfie]

I have one similar to what you posted above but never had to use it yet. Wait... my kids did use them to change their phones. I think it's the amp rating that you have to focus on. I think our car batteries are about 900A? My other Nicad i use at home was totally off the chart on amps but I guess something is better than nothing so I got it. Most of these are lithium batteries so try to keep it away from direct sunlight. Just hope it won't explode on me...

 

[tibimakai]

I have a Noco GB40.

 

[Alfie]

My Beautiful Stelvio,
The pictured above's CCA is more than what our cars need (it needs about 600A to 700A: just looked it up), however, to keep the engine running, you need at least 50Ah rated battery. One that's pictured is 24Ah. What this means is that if your battery is totally dead, engine will not start. However, if you car wants to start but not enough juice, then it should work. Again, I'd buy it and keep it in the trunk and remind yourself to charge it once in a while. These lith battery hold its charge far longer than any NiCad batteries so I think it should be good reminder to charge it once every 2 months or so?
even if they melt and you have to toss it, it's probably cheaper than calling the tow truck.

 

[goblue]

Best way to help someone with a jump start from your Stelvio is to connect the jumper cables, then start your car.

Sorry alfaoffroad, but I disagree. The best way to help a person jump start from your stelvio is to hand them the battery-jump-pack that you conveniently have stowed in the back of your stelvio. That's how I am able to help!

 

[My Beautiful Stelvio]

Thanks to everyone’s advice on this. Haven’t had an issue to date with my battery but want to be prepared. My neighbor had Toyota Roadside come out and give him a jump. I have AAA and I think our cars come with Alfa Roadside Service for 4 years. It just seems like the one time you’re in a hurry and need a jump that it will be nice to have your own portable jump starter instead of waiting on roadside assistance.

 

[My Beautiful Stelvio]

My Beautiful Stelvio,
The pictured above's CCA is more than what our cars need (it needs about 600A to 700A: just looked it up), however, to keep the engine running, you need at least 50Ah rated battery. One that's pictured is 24Ah. What this means is that if your battery is totally dead, engine will not start. However, if you car wants to start but not enough juice, then it should work. Again, I'd buy it and keep it in the trunk and remind yourself to charge it once in a while. These lith battery hold its charge far longer than any NiCad batteries so I think it should be good reminder to charge it once every 2 months or so?
even if they melt and you have to toss it, it's probably cheaper than calling the tow truck.

Appreciate this information. Looking at the various starters on Amazon it’s hard for me to decipher what the numbers all mean. Want enough amps to safely start the car but didn’t think of the various scenarios you mention of slightly dead vs. totally dead battery. Do you have any specifics I need to look for? 🙏

 

[Matt2172]

Thanks Matt. So cable lengths are good and easy to just hook it up under the hood?

The cables are long enough to do the job on the stelvio but a little on the short side.. It all fits in a convenient drawstring pouch.

I keep 2 in my car now, one is a 600a/300a (peak/cranking) and the other more recent addition is the 1200/600..also got the smaller one in the wife’s giulia…

when I used the smaller one on my car months ago it took a few tries and almost depleted the jump starter. That made me nervous so I got the bigger one, which I’ve not had to use yet..

I hear that there’s some relation between car battery and jump starter size and that a mismatch between them - with a jump starter that’s too large - can damage your electronics but it sounds like a bunch of hooey to me…

 

[Alfie]

Appreciate this information. Looking at the various starters on Amazon it’s hard for me to decipher what the numbers all mean. Want enough amps to safely start the car but didn’t think of the various scenarios you mention of slightly dead vs. totally dead battery. Do you have any specifics I need to look for? 🙏

If your battery is totally dead, its's probably due to two reasons:
1. charging system issue (the infamous alternator or the serpentine belt is broken)
2.. you need a new battery since it can't hold a charge.

Any of these jumpers with more than 700A CCA should be able to get the car running if your battery is partially dead.

I would get the one that you posted since the temperature matters as well. it is high peak but in subzero condition, that may be the only thing which will get your car started.

if your battery is 3 years old and you travel a lot, I would foot the bill for AGM H8 for about $200 to be safe. With this weather who knows what we may have to face this winter.

 

[My Beautiful Stelvio]

If your battery is totally dead, its's probably due to two reasons:
1. charging system issue (the infamous alternator or the serpentine belt is broken)
2.. you need a new battery since it can't hold a charge.

Any of these jumpers with more than 700A CCA should be able to get the car running if your battery is partially dead.

I would get the one that you posted since the temperature matters as well. it is high peak but in subzero condition, that may be the only thing which will get your car started.

if your battery is 3 years old and you travel a lot, I would foot the bill for AGM H8 for about $200 to be safe. With this weather who knows what we may have to face this winter.

Good information. Thank you 🙏 I’m in SoCal and majority of my driving is within metropolitan areas. Being in SoCal the lowest temperature we ever see here should not be an issue. However I tend to prefer overkill so I’ll follow your advice!

 

[My Beautiful Stelvio]

The cables are long enough to do the job on the stelvio but a little on the short side.. It all fits in a convenient drawstring pouch.

I keep 2 in my car now, one is a 600a/300a (peak/cranking) and the other more recent addition is the 1200/600..also got the smaller one in the wife’s giulia…

when I used the smaller one on my car months ago it took a few tries and almost depleted the jump starter. That made me nervous so I got the bigger one, which I’ve not had to use yet..

I hear that there’s some relation between car battery and jump starter size and that a mismatch between them - with a jump starter that’s too large - can damage your electronics but it sounds like a bunch of hooey to me… View attachment 27525 View attachment 27526 View attachment 27525 View attachment 27526

Really appreciate the pictures!

 

[ducky]

I have a Noco GB40.

Yeah for my $, I'm sticking with Noco or Hulkman.
Hulkman 85S(2000A) is on sale currently on their site for ~$143 so I just bought another one.

 

[wpozzz]

Sorry alfaoffroad, but I disagree. The best way to help a person jump start from your stelvio is to hand them the battery-jump-pack that you conveniently have stowed in the back of your stelvio. That's how I am able to help!

I have to agree with you. I know my car is running properly, but unsure of the other guy's car. About 30 years ago I had a dead battery and called AAA. Instead of a tow truck coming, a guy in a hopped up Toyota Corolla came to jump the car. It started my car, but blew out the circuit board. I had a helluva fight with AAA and finally gave up and ended up paying about $1k for a new circuit board on my 750il. After that, I bought booster packs for each house, and also have those jump packs. Don't want to risk blowing out circuit boards on new cars, mine or someone else's.

 

[ttaidapos]

I have a gb40, it's good for a partially drained battery and for for most cars. If you have a dead battery though, it's not enough. You'll need a higher rated model. For my QV, I needed 2 gb40s to start it. On a dead battery, the fan kicks on right of way, draining the gb40 in seconds. Noco it's one of the more respected brands out there.

Don't forget, you'll need to top these off with juice a few times a year, otherwise they're worthless. Also advise to get it hardwired. I can easily walk my wife through the procedure vs clamps etc.