Goodall Jump packs

Over on the farmer board, it seems like there's a thread every couple weeks from guys disgusted with the Goodall's. I have had one for two years, and if it dies the next time I use it, I'll be getting another. What the hell do these guys do to them to make them fail? Use them twice a day? Chuck them into the back of the pickup so they bounce off the floor? Leave them in the rain? Nobody around here seems to have the trouble the guys further south do. Are we just more careful or what?

Not familiar with that brand around here but have seen guys with good sucess with NOCO brand jump starters. Some people can ruin just about anything. Discharge too far and never recharge properly, frozen in discharged state. Who Knows? Simon C

Also never heard of them, is that a brand more local to you through Menards or ACME? I've been running a couple of JNC jump packs for like 10 years with no complaints. That's all I have to add.

I'm running a 12/24 Goodall with no issues. Have a few friends with the 12v version don't think they've had any issues.

I have used a Goodall a little bit at one place I do some work. Have not seen it for a little though. Maybe it got stolen. If something is completely dead it did not seem to work but if the batteries are just really low it could start some pretty big stuff. Jump packs are ok for just here and there but my favorite jump starter is one I made. It is one a cart, has three group 31 batteries, 6HP engine that runs a 85A alternator, and two sets of jumper cables. You can start anything with it. Even 24v. Jump packs fully charged are 12.6V and go down from there. This jump starter keeps voltage at 13.6-14.6V.

Mr. Wrench said: I have used a Goodall a little bit at one place I do some work. Have not seen it for a little though. Maybe it got stolen. If something is completely dead it did not seem to work but if the batteries are just really low it could start some pretty big stuff. Jump packs are ok for just here and there but my favorite jump starter is one I made. It is one a cart, has three group 31 batteries, 6HP engine that runs a 85A alternator, and two sets of jumper cables. You can start anything with it. Even 24v. Jump packs fully charged are 12.6V and go down from there. This jump starter keeps voltage at 13.6-14.6V. Click to expand... Sounds like a heavy SOB though

I've had no issues with my NOCO, other than it didn't want to work when it was much too cold out on an also very cold backhoe, before my block heater. And, I'm not sure if the one I have is designed to attempt to start a two battery system.

Mr. Wrench said: Jump packs fully charged are 12.6V and go down from there. This jump starter keeps voltage at 13.6-14.6V. Click to expand... The Goodall is about 15V when it's lighting things up.

If they're anything like any farmers I know probably not a whole lot of tlc.

The main thing I’ve seen kill jump packs is leaving them plugged charging all the time. I inadvertently did that and it cooked the input plug right out of it. Since then I’ve used them, charged them full, put it back in the case and it was ready when I needed it.

Junkyard said: The main thing I’ve seen kill jump packs is leaving them plugged charging all the time. I inadvertently did that and it cooked the input plug right out of it. Since then I’ve used them, charged them full, put it back in the case and it was ready when I needed it. Click to expand... This is how I treat mine. Use it a few times, usually no more than twice on a big truck, or 3-4 times on a 6-8L, then plug in that night. Usually it's charged the following morning, if it's not I'll unplug it that night. I try and keep a mental note, if it doesn't get used in a few weeks, I'll charge it again. I try not to leave it in the service truck at night during the fall/winter so it doesn't freeze, but it has happened to get cold more than once.

I know it's not best practice, but I just use a DeWalt battery with a small adapter from Amazon. It has started everything I've put it on from small 4 wheelers to a Case 590 and JD550G. I am aware it puts out 18v and I am sure it's not good for newer stuff with advanced ECMs, but it sure works good and I am rarely very far away from my cordless tool batteries.

cuttin edge said: If they're anything like any farmers I know probably not a whole lot of tlc. Click to expand... Every time farmer Grayce on you tube starts her R model mack. And burls it over and over I keep yelling you should fix that, but she never hears me.

I bought a 12 volt lithium jump starter off Amazon because it was a fair bit cheaper than an equivalent NOCO. It has paid for itself many times over. I've ran it down to about 40% but it just took longer to get a full charge. If a battery is just low you hook it up and press a button to turn it on. If a battery is dead you hold the on button for a few seconds till it beeps. Then it delivers the full voltage. It holds its charge for month's. It came with a nice case I always keep it in. I ended up getting a free air compressor too. I didn't order the air compressor but it came in the case so was a bonus. The best thing about lithium jump starters is they weigh next to nothing and fit in the palm of your hand. I'd think you'd have be trying to wreck them in order to actually damage them. Maybe leaving them charging too long or continually running them them down as low as they go is what damages them?? I've had the cables get fairly warm a couple times but didn't seem to affect it. I try not to crank too long but sometimes it just needs a few more seconds to get something started like my welder.

colson04 said: Sounds like a heavy SOB though Click to expand... It is heavy. That is why I built it on a cart. I can move it around the shop or outside. I load it in a Gator and go around the equipment yard. It is bullet proof, all off the shelf components no special parts. I may make one that is lighter and it would be easier to load. I think the little jump starters are good for emergencies or just one or two starts on something big. The lithium ones can do some pretty amazing things. If you are trying to get something running that has problems they just don't cut it. How do you put the starting power of 3 group 31's in something half the size of one of those batteries. To me the science is just not there. I use the one I made to start dead equipment at an action yard on sale day. We had been carrying around a bunch of jump packs to start things. About half way through they where all dead and you where just getting to the semi's, then you where in a real mess. Now I can go around all day starting anything and it never goes dead. I realize that many of you guys would not be using one that way and need something more portable. One thing I have do on the lead/acid ones is after you start something if the alternator is working on the machine just leave the jump pack hooked up for a little bit and it will charge the pack back up. I don't think I would try that in a lithium one. I could go on for awhile about experience of starting dead things.

My jump pack starter weighs 29,000 lbs, will cruise at 78.

Mr. Wrench said: If you are trying to get something running that has problems they just don't cut it. How do you put the starting power of 3 group 31's in something half the size of one of those batteries. To me the science is just not there. Click to expand... Well of course they don't cut it in those situations. What you're describing would be like expecting a Ford Ranger to pull start a fully loaded tractor-trailer. These Goodalls will start pretty much any piece of well-maintained equipment, but if it needs to be cranked to the degree that 2-4 Group 31s are going to have a tough time, that is expecting more than it's designed for. I would never expect a box that weighs less than half of one Group 31 battery to do the work of two or more, if that's what is needed.

Mr. Wrench said: It is heavy. That is why I built it on a cart. I can move it around the shop or outside. I load it in a Gator and go around the equipment yard. It is bullet proof, all off the shelf components no special parts. I may make one that is lighter and it would be easier to load. I think the little jump starters are good for emergencies or just one or two starts on something big. The lithium ones can do some pretty amazing things. If you are trying to get something running that has problems they just don't cut it. How do you put the starting power of 3 group 31's in something half the size of one of those batteries. To me the science is just not there. I use the one I made to start dead equipment at an action yard on sale day. We had been carrying around a bunch of jump packs to start things. About half way through they where all dead and you where just getting to the semi's, then you where in a real mess. Now I can go around all day starting anything and it never goes dead. I realize that many of you guys would not be using one that way and need something more portable. One thing I have do on the lead/acid ones is after you start something if the alternator is working on the machine just leave the jump pack hooked up for a little bit and it will charge the pack back up. I don't think I would try that in a lithium one. I could go on for awhile about experience of starting dead things. Click to expand... Do you have any pictures of your jump cart? I completely understand what you are using it for. I've been to a local auto auction and they have a golf cart sized vehicle with a jump pack system built in to the back of it. They drive right down the row of cars, jumping any of them that won't crank on their own. I'm not sure how they charge their batteries, maybe off the golf cart engine? I didn't look that closely

colson04 said: Sounds like a heavy SOB though Click to expand... Was at Bryans auction in Puslinch and they had an old tractor set up for jump starting. They welded up a 3-point basket comprised of a whole mess of batteries, Heavy welding cables and various quick connections to give any voltage needed. Looked like an IBC tote sort of thing. A 100 amp charger was in there to plug the whole lot in, when back in the heated garage.

I only use JNC jump packs but have been considering a Lithium, maybe a NOCO. Just have had good luck with the JNC’s and have actually had one fixed under warranty and one I replaced the battery’s on. The timely death of most batteries, on just about anything, is keeping them plugged in, or charging all the time. Its like an oil thread on bikes, my opinion is trickle chargers, even the smart ones, ruin more batteries faster, than anything else.