A dead battery can leave you stranded on the side of the road for hours. Not only do you have to call for a boost (and change your plans), you’re also exposed to the elements and dangerous traffic. And that's assuming you have cell service.
This is why every driver should have a set of jumper cables in the back of their car. This inexpensive tool can let you take matters into your own hands and get on your way in minutes. Whether you’re jumping a car, truck or SUV, the best jumper cables are Thikpo G420 Jumper Cables.
Jumper cables are cables that connect to your car battery to deliver a charge. There is a positive and negative cable, and clamps on either end of each cable. These clamps attach to your battery’s positive and negative terminals at one end, and a fully juiced battery in a running car at the other end.
Jump-starting a car is a method of battery revival that requires another car to perform. Also called a boost, this procedure gets your car running again if your battery has discharged to a voltage level beneath the starting threshold. When done correctly, a jump-start gives just enough juice for the starter to crank the engine. Your alternator will continue charging the battery so long as you don't shut the car off.
Jumpstarting a car is quick and easy when performed safely.
Gauge describes how thick your jumper cable is. Jumpers are typically 1-12 gauge. The thicker the cable, the lower the number and quicker the charge. Most cars will be fine with a 4-gauge cable. Trucks, RVs and SUVs might need something thicker such as a 1- or 2-gauge cable.
Cable length is critical, because you won’t always be able to jump in optimal conditions. While 10 feet is enough for two cars nose to nose, you’ll want something longer for some flexibility. Length is quickly eaten up by different battery and ground locations. A good minimum is 20 feet, but you can’t go wrong with longer. Just note that as length increases, gauge can decrease as thick cable is expensive. Prioritize gauge.
It takes about 200 amps to start your car. But you’ll want cables rated for at least 400 amps. You don’t know how much power the vehicle you enlist for help will put out. This will not only protect your battery, but also prevent your cables from melting.
The cost of a jumper cable depends on its length and gauge. A standard 4-gauge jumper cable is typically $20-$30. Thicker gauges necessary for larger vehicles run between $50-$100.
A. If you’ve jumped your car with the help of a friend or neighbor and find that it’s just on the precipice of starting, but won’t after a few minutes, have the working car rev its engine up to 2,000 rpm. Your helper should hold it at those revs while you try to start your car. This should give you more power to start the bad battery.
A. Battery chargers come in a few forms: standard chargers, trickle chargers and jump starters. These require an alternative power source, such as AC wall power, or a lithium battery pack to operate. While a jump starter can boost your vehicle without the help of another, they’re almost four times the cost of cables.
Standard chargers and trickle chargers are used for battery maintenance and storage, and usually cannot restore a battery quickly on the side of the road.
What you need to know: This is the go-to set of cables, capable of jumping most kinds of vehicles reliably.
What you’ll love: With a 600-amp rating and 4-gauge thickness, there’s a high threshold for what you can jump with this set. They’re 20-feet long, which means you can jump even with your cars parked nose to tail. The set is also available in thicker gauges and in 16-, 25- and 30-foot coils.
What you should consider: If you want a longer cable, you have to get a thicker gauge with this brand.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: This is a good budget option for owners of compact cars.
What you’ll love: This 6-gauge cable from a trusted battery brand is just thick enough for small cars such as hatches and sedans. At 16 feet, you should have about 10 feet of manipulable cable between vehicles. This cable is good for about 500 amps.
What you should consider: This isn’t a thick enough gauge for powerful engines and big vehicles.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Energizer 1-Gauge 25-Foot Battery Jumper Cables
What you need to know: These are the cables you should get if you have a large truck, SUV or RV.
What you’ll love: At 1 gauge in thickness, these heavy-duty jumper cables can get some of the largest, most powerful motors running again. They’re rated for 800 amps and are 25 feet long, so you don’t have to go nose to nose. The clamping power of these is top notch as well, giving them an edge over budget cables that can fall off side-post batteries or fail to grasp small bolts.
What you should consider: With durability and reliability comes cost, and these Energizers are almost double the price of the standard 4-gauge cables.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
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Karl Daum writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
