Portable lithium jump box, anyone ditch the clamps and go direct wire?

[Kyle_E]

My portable jump box case is ridiculously oversize for what it is to fit the battery clamps. The clamps have the built in protection circuit and fuse this is the first one I've found on a quick search that also offers that.

Also comes with a SAE adapter so can still use a battery tender and my air infiltrator. Anyone happen to have tried one of these? Seems like a good way to cut down on crap to carry.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EMP8FJG

 

[EricV]

The SAE connector will NOT handle the jump start duties. I have seen people adapt a high draw connector with appropriate size wiring to make a pre-wired connection for jump starting from the battery.

As I recall, they simply set it up so they could plug in their adapter direct to the micro start with the same connector the jumper cable attachment uses. You would lose the protection circuit if it's part of the clamps.

 

[Kyle_E]

The SAE connector will NOT handle the jump start duties.

If you click on the link, you'll see its not a SAE plug for jump start. Its the ....crap my mind went blank.... something 5 connector. It just has the SAE connector adapter included but its wired for that square/round plug the jump boxes use. It also seems to indicate it has the protection circuit and a fuse built into the wiring.

 

[ballisticexchris]

That's a good one Kyle. EarthX also makes a fantastic little jump pack. It's more than enough to jump a bike. They also sell that cable. It's a few bucks more than the one you have listed. And you can get it on Amazon as well.

https://earthxbatteries.com/shop/earthx-jump-pack

Peak “jump starting” Current 400A
Cranking Amps 220A
Battery Capacity mAh/Wh 2000mAh/26.4Wh
Dimensions (complete with carrying case) 8.25in (L) x 2.6in (W)x 3.6in (H)/(210mmX66mmX92mm)

Not as much amps as some of the other ones but super compact!

 

[EricV]

If you click on the link, you'll see its not a SAE plug for jump start. Its the ....crap my mind went blank.... something 5 connector. It just has the SAE connector adapter included but its wired for that square/round plug the jump boxes use. It also seems to indicate it has the protection circuit and a fuse built into the wiring.

I have a Micro Start from Antigravity. I know the SAE connector is not used for jump starting. Your title suggests you wanted to direct wire for the jump starter and not use the clamps. Thus my comments. I didn't click on the link until today. I see what you're suggesting now.

I don't know anything about the quality of that product. I don't see any issues with having the jump start pigtail connected all the time. I don't think there is any fuse inline there though, so anything connected to the SAE adapter would not be fused at a level that would protect some smaller device. That might still be fine for back charging the bike's battery with a quality maintenance charger. I don't think I'd want to run anything from that SAE while riding the bike though.

What it seems you're really asking is has anyone using a jump start battery just hard wired a tether like the one you linked to and stopped carrying the rest of the jump start kit?

The tether makes it great for you, but you're not going to be able to help anyone else with your jump start battery if you only have the batt pack and tether, aside from them needing to charge a USB device.

 

[steve68steve]

The SAE connector will NOT handle the jump start duties. I have seen people adapt a high draw connector with appropriate size wiring to make a pre-wired connection for jump starting from the battery.

As I recall, they simply set it up so they could plug in their adapter direct to the micro start with the same connector the jumper cable attachment uses. You would lose the protection circuit if it's part of the clamps.

This.

I recently left aux lights on and ran the battery down.

I have small pair of jumper cables with an SAE end that plugs into the battery tender pigtail.

Lots of bike not starting later, I figured out that the 7.5A inline fuse in the pigtail was blown ...yet more fiddling later to realize the 7.5A inline fuse in the jumper cables was also blown.

I ended up jumping past the fuse to get it started. All this because the location of the battery terminals and crash bars make it hard to get a giid physical connection with jumper cables.

As already stated, wiring a heavy extension wire to the + battery terminal and routing to someplace convenient to actually hook up cables to is a good preemptive to getting stranded with a low battery.

 

[Kyle_E]

I have small pair of jumper cables with an SAE end that plugs into the battery tender pigtail.

Just to be totally clear, this item does not jump off of a SAE connector. Nor was I suggesting using one in anyway to jump a vehicle. Eric didn't look at the item and jumped to that conclusion. As you stated those typically have a 10 amp or less fuse and would not be suitable for that duty.

The item I linked says (and looks) like it has the built in 200 or 400 amp fuse (they make a few versions) along with the protection circuit stuff.

It does have an adapter to connect an SAE so you can run your other stuff when not using it to jump.

 

[Don in Lodi]

It's a cool looking adapter. I wonder if that connector will work with the AntiGravity pack.

 

[Kyle_E]

It's a cool looking adapter. I wonder if that connector will work with the AntiGravity pack.

I don't have a antigrav one, but something similar. Ill report back here in a few days when it shows up.

 

[Sierra1]

Maybe I'm not understanding. Couldn't you just hook up the low amp SAE connector, and just let the jump box charge the battery? Then disconnect the jump box, and start the bike? Or is that what was said?

 

[Don in Lodi]

You'd need to rewire the plug polarity on one side or the other. You can definitely use it as a trickle charger but the gauge wire isn't really rated for a boost.

 

[Kyle_E]

Maybe I'm not understanding. Couldn't you just hook up the low amp SAE connector, and just let the jump box charge the battery? Then disconnect the jump box, and start the bike? Or is that what was said?

You could maybe hook it up from the USB output on the box from a usb to sae connector? But I assume that would take forever.

Only reason I would want this other than just saving space, is that one in a million shot where I broke a leg or something and couldn't push start the bike solo camping in the boonies.

 

[ballisticexchris]

You could maybe hook it up from the USB output on the box from a usb to sae connector? But I assume that would take forever.

Only reason I would want this other than just saving space, is that one in a million shot where I broke a leg or something and couldn't push start the bike solo camping in the boonies.

I'm with you Kyle!! Having a jumper junction ready to go is good thinking on your part. We just never know when an injury can occur.

I remember all too well breaking my leg off road and having to kick start my bike in a tight whooped out sand wash. It sucked big time!! When I got back to the pits I was convincing myself It was just a twisted knee and I could finish the last loop. Thankfully the president of our club was in the pits and suggested that I get off my bike and have a sip of Gatoraid. I remember getting pulled off my bike and next thing I remembered was laying in the back of my truck looking at the sky. That was in 07 and my last race.......

 

[fredz43]

I bought a direct cable for jump starting from Anti Gravity and recently had to use it to jump start my DR650 when the battery terminal on the bike's battery cracked. It worked like a charm and was very simple to just plug the Antgravity battery into that cable and start the bike. As Eric says, that won't help you to jump somebody else, but is great to use on your own bike. I still carry the clamps, though, in case I need to help someone else out.

 

[Davesax36]

The pic in the amazon listing is gonna mess some people up. That blue part of the connector should plug directly into the battery pack.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I have been looking for a decent jump pack and finally found it!! Anti Gravity had a few really nice looking units at the motorcycle show. My buddy showed me his and not good!! It was sitting in his truck for over a year and I was shocked at how warm and bulged out it was. Kind of spooky. He told my it's been like that for the last few years. So Anti Gravity is a no go.

There are so many choices for these it boggles the mind.

I ended up going with the EarthX. I also opted for the jumper cable attached to my battery. Thank you Kyle!! It's very similar to the one you have a link to from amazon. I can plug it into my Battery Tender, air pump or directly to the jump pack.

Compact and simple:

 

[Kyle_E]

[QUOTE="ballisticexchris, post: 381289, member: 2801".........Compact and simple:...........

[/QUOTE]

That looks like a good unit. I like having the hard wire to the battery as well. It is just one less thing to mess with. With a normal bike battery under the seat not a big deal to jump with the clamps. but having to loosen my bars to take my side panel off no bueno. I have to keep reminding myself that the bars were free and not to bitch....

 

[ballisticexchris]

That looks like a good unit. I like having the hard wire to the battery as well. It is just one less thing to mess with. With a normal bike battery under the seat not a big deal to jump with the clamps. but having to loosen my bars to take my side panel off no bueno. I have to keep reminding myself that the bars were free and not to bitch....

I'm really making every effort to get my bike setup to be fully self contained for the most common issues/repairs I've encountered over the years.

 

[EricV]

Just as a FYI - There have been a lot of issues with counterfeit copies of AntiGravity jump start batteries that fail and bulge, etc. They are not real AntiGravity units, not made with the same batteries or electronics. They look very real, but the quality is random. If your friend didn't buy it direct from AntiGravity, who knows if it's a real one or not?

I have two AntiGravity XP-3 Microstart units and both are just fine after 4 years. No signs of any swelling or issues of any kind.

And on topic for this thread, AntiGravity now sells the direct wire kits to have the correct plug to just plug your jump start battery in to the bike's pigtail if you need to jump it. Two different lengths, a 16" and a 42" for auto use are available. Note that they have different plugs for different versions, so if you order, be certain to get the correct style plug for your device. LINK

The Earth-X looks like a nice piece of kit.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Just as a FYI - There have been a lot of issues with counterfeit copies of AntiGravity jump start batteries that fail and bulge, etc. They are not real AntiGravity units, not made with the same batteries or electronics. They look very real, but the quality is random. If your friend didn't buy it direct from AntiGravity, who knows if it's a real one or not?

I have two AntiGravity XP-3 Microstart units and both are just fine after 4 years. No signs of any swelling or issues of any kind.

And on topic for this thread, AntiGravity now sells the direct wire kits to have the correct plug to just plug your jump start battery in to the bike's pigtail if you need to jump it. Two different lengths, a 16" and a 42" for auto use are available. Note that they have different plugs for different versions, so if you order, be certain to get the correct style plug for your device. LINK

The Earth-X looks like a nice piece of kit.

I'm not sure where he bought his from Eric. He was just showing it to me the other day before our shift. I'm not kidding. It was super warm to the touch and puffed out. This counterfeiting has become a big issue on Amazon and Ebay. I would not be a bit surprised if it was a fake one. I normally call the manufacturer to make sure the ones sold on Amazon are the real deal. I do have to admit I'm kind of "brand loyal" to the EarthX products. The jump box I purchased is not the most powerful, yet it's plenty effective for my use.

Here is the jump connector cable: