Died and no start. What jump box do you recommend?

[Advntrbound]

ESS kicked in right when the gladiator stopped and wouldn't start. Was able to get off the road and call a tow truck. Long story, the negative cable was loose and it probably wasn't charging well. I'm going to replace both batteries anyway but now I want a jump box to keep handy. What is your recommendation?

Sponsored

 

[ShadowsPapa]

ESS kicked in right when the gladiator stopped and wouldn't start. Was able to get off the road and call a tow truck. Long story, the negative cable was loose and it probably wasn't charging well. I'm going to replace both batteries anyway but now I want a jump box to keep handy. What is your recommendation?

Which negative cable was loose and where? If there's a cable loose, the system should sense the voltage drop and try to increase charge accordingly.
Likely the loose cable was more related to not starting. But it's a "whatever' thing now.

Be sure you not only disconnect the negative cables from the main battery, but take the cables apart from each other as well otherwise that aux battery will still be connected to the chassis ground and a spark could mean blowing the high current fuse.
So don't just disconnect from the top of the IBS, but take those two black cables apart from each other and isolate them with tape or a rag so they can't touch anything at all while working on it.
Unplug the IBS from the main battery and set it aside for 10 minutes or so while replacing the batteries.
Charge each battery independently with a good charger BEFORE installing them.
Never assume a new battery is charged -because it's not. Charge batteries then install them, then reconnect the IBS.

As for what "jump box". There's a lot of discussion on those and every person that responds will have their own favorite, often based on part on other features, not just the ability to jump a vehicle. Heck, I have a cheapy that I got from Dad's garage after he died - I put a new battery in it and it's been working fine jump starting anything I want started for the years since 2018 when I found it in his garage still in a box. We worked at Alco so that's likely where it came from. Can be charged via wall charger or a 12v outlet. I take it with me and leave it plugged in to the JT while I'm out and about at car shows or swap meets and camping.
So there's proof that you don't necessarily need a $500 device. But then, you do get what you pay for so I'd not rely on it if I was with my wife 5 states away in the wilderness.

BTW - you have a 2020 so you actually got more life out of your batteries than most people do. It was time for batteries anyway just based on the model year of your Jeep.
Congratulations, you may have broken a record on the most years/months out of a Jeep battery! Even if things had been perfect - all connections perfectly clean, 0 voltage drop, everything tight, you were pushing the life expectancy of Jeep original batteries!

 

[Silverator]

I haven't used it a lot on the Gladiator yet, but I'm liking the Antigravity Microstart XP-10. Good luck! Definitely worth having.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Definitely worth having.

Especially if your original equipment batteries are over 2 years old!
.

 

[Advntrbound]

I haven't used it a lot on the Gladiator yet, but I'm liking the Antigravity Microstart XP-10. Good luck! Definitely worth having.

I have the Anti gravity restart in my BMW R1200 GSA. Definitely a good battery and the "restart" feature saved me once.

 

[smlobx]

Project Farm on YouTube has done several reviews and based on this video I got the Audew. I also got one for all the members of our family.



He has done an updated review and here it is.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Disappointed in the Noco device they tested. Low voltage and not great amperage. With that low voltage, many of the electronics will not like it.

 

[talljeeper]

I have Gooloo for the wife, and I have a NoCo GB70 for me. Both work well

Sponsored