Battery Booster Packs

[Murf]

Anybody have any experience with portable battery jumper packs for use with the Duramax? I left my glove box open this winter and drained the battery - went to jump it with my standard 12 volt portable battery jumper pack and nothing!

I'd like to get one of the truck style boosters - wonder what kinda of a volt rating I'd need to get to turn that bad boy duramax over?

Thanks for any input on this -

Murf

[madmatt]

stay w/ a 12v just pay close attention to the Amp output. I've found w/ jump boxes you really do get what you pay for.

[JD Diesel]

I agree with madmatt, but they do great for running your telescope all nite. :D JD

[Murf]

These booster packs come in a variety of 'peak amps'. Would a 2000 peak amp do it or should I go for the 3000 peak amp?

Not sure what I need to turn it over.

Murf

[madmatt]

I'll look @ mine tommorow but,,,,the bigger the better in this case. Every circuit on your truck is fuse protected and will only draw as much amperage as needed but there is no kind of voltage regulator to keep your electronics from being "force feed" 24V.

[Murf]

Thanks Matt - looks like I'll go for the 3.000 amp unit -

Murf

[David Proske]

I have never had any luck with those battery packs when trying to jump a diesel. You need 2 batteries to start the truck bo begin with. The last one I tried was with my 6.5. The glow cycle alone drained alot out of the battery pack. I haven't tried the new "big" ones yet, they may offer more starting power.

The time I had to jump my dmax I had to let my wifes camaro idle for 5 minuets to get enough juice in my batteries to turn the max over, even then it was JUST enough. I use Craftsmans biggest cables.

[madmatt]

Mines 3k and i've jumped semi's w/ it before. It's about three years old and still gets the job done.

[precision37]

When you tried to jump your Dmax did you use the bracket marked "Ground" under the hood? Those are famous for bad connection. I had to unbolt mine, scrape off some paint and re attatch it before I could get a good enough ground to jump start anyone.

[David Proske]

Nope. I use the + and - top terminals on my optima batteries. I think the issue was the wifes camaro has a small battery and alternator.