Your car battery can fail you at any time even if you have installed the best car battery for your car. This is an undesirable situation but unfortunately, it is frequent. There are a couple of ways you can revive the battery of your car, buying the best jumper cables or car battery charger. The jumper cable is one of the options available to you to get out of trouble. Choosing the best pair of jumper cables, however, remains an equation to solve.
You should not choose just any cable as not all of them will fit your car. If you have already made a bad choice of cables with in particular a low current conductivity, I can redirect you to a more judicious choice. If you are about to choose your jumper cables, kindly check the reviews of the best jumper cables consumer reports. You will definitely find what you need at the end.
Reviews Of 5 Best Jumper Cables
1. Energizer Jumper Cables For Car Battery ENB416U
Energizer brings to you 16 feet jumper cables for reviving the dead or weak battery of your car, which can be a hatchback, saloon, sedan, or even SUV. The cable features a durable spring along with a comfortable handle for easy positioning and secure placement. The clamp attached to the cable has been coated with shelled vinyl, which protects it from rust and corrosion.
The 16 feet length of the cable allows it to easily reach from the battery of one car to another. You can even use the cable at low temperatures (-40 degrees Celsius), thanks to the use of copper-clad aluminum. You will get a top-quality travel bag in the package to ensure compact storage and easy transportation. As far as warranty is concerned, then you will get a 2-year warranty on the product that covers all manufacturing defects.
2. AUTOGEN Heavy Duty Jumper Cables With Carry Bag And Light
Have a look at this heavy-duty jumper cable from Autogen, which is 30 feet long and extremely durable. The inner core of the cable is very thick, which ensures longevity. The clamps attached to the cable feature strong jagged teeth and springs for strong jaws to keep a strong grip over the battery and ensure better tension and connectivity.
The cable is made of copper-clad aluminum, which is coated with a thick layer of PVC to provide insulated protection and drop resistance. The same material keeps the cable flexible in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. This cable is perfect for cargo vans, full-size cars, mid-size pickup trucks, and even freight. In the package, you will a portable bag with LED lights and a pair of gloves. You will even get a travel bag for compact storage and easy transport.
3. TOPDC Jumper Cables 1-Gauge Heavy Duty Booster Cables With Carry Bag
TOPDC brings to you 1-gauge booster cables, which are made of copper-coated aluminum along with durable jaws made of copper for seamless electrical conductivity and power transfer. The cable boasts a tangle-free design and the use of PVC keeps the cable flexible in all weather conditions, from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
You won’t find any issue connecting the cable using the step guide label. You will get a brush in the package for cleaning the battery post. The cable comes with a warranty of 5 years, so if anything goes wrong, you can contact the company to get the right solution. The booster cable is ideal for motorcycles, cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs.
4. CARTMAN 4 Gauge Jumper Cables With Carry Bag BC0420K
Cartman has brought an excellent booster cable that comes with patented design clamps coated with non-conducting rubber that keeps it safe. The clamps fit top and side post batteries. This is a UL-listed jumper cable, which features high copper content compared to others without UL. The jumper cable has a length of 20 feet, which is enough to connect the cable to the battery of one car to another.
The jumper cable is so efficient that it can work in any temperature, from -13 degrees Fahrenheit to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. As far as vehicles are concerned, then you can connect the cable to the battery of full-size cars, mid-size pickup trucks, cargo vans, and freight hauling vehicles. The company provides a 3-year warranty on the jumper cable, which excludes torn cables and short circuit batteries.
5. EPAuto 4 Gauge Heavy Duty Booster Jumper Cables AA-003-1
Last but not the least, I present to you a heavy-duty booster jumper cable from EPAuto, which is a 4-gauge jumper cable that comes with copper-plated clamps. The cable is made of high-quality material, which won’t let it tangle.
The jumper cable can work from extremely low temperatures to extremely high temperatures, which shows the quality and durability of the cable. You can use this jumper cable to revive the batteries of motorcycles, cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs. With the jumper cable, you will get a travel bag along with a pair of safety working gloves.
How To Choose The Right Jumper Cables?
There are some basic criteria you need to consider when choosing your jumper cables. Even if they all have the same functions, one cable cannot be used instead of another. So, you have to find the one that suits you. The section of the cable, its length, and the starting clamps are all elements whose characteristics should concern you when making your purchase.
The Section Of A Jumper Cable
Some particularly important information is written on your car battery. Pay attention and try to write them down. You have a value in volts: it is the voltage of your accumulator (V) as well as a value in ampere-hours (Ah) which represents the capacity of your accumulator.
You also have a value in amperes (A): this is the current intensity delivered by the battery. This last value is directly related to the section of your cable. Indeed, the nominal current of your accumulator gives you an idea of the flow of current that will be able to cross the cable. You must therefore choose your cable in proportion to this nominal value. If you are not careful when choosing the cable, you will definitely not be able to use it. In the worst case, your brand-new cable will heat up and melt before your eyes.
Below, you have some values that can guide you in relation to the battery intensity:
- Less than 200 A, choose a 10 mm2 section cable
- Between 200 A and 300 A, choose a 16 mm2 section cable
- Between 300 A and 600 A, choose a 25 mm2 section cable
- Between 600 A and 700 A, choose a 35 mm2 section cable
- Between 700 A and 1000 A, choose a 50 mm2 section cable
The Length Of Your Jumper Cables
The length of the cable is a factor that determines the comfort you will have when using your equipment. It must allow you to connect the two batteries you use, regardless of their distances. For a truck, a 5-meter cable would do the trick, while for your car, 3-meter cables may suffice.
Diesel Or Gasoline Vehicle
You will also choose your cable according to the type of engine in your car. Note that the power provided by a 12V diesel battery is greater than that provided by a 12V battery of a gasoline car. And as you expect, the section of cable you have to choose in the second case must be lower than the suitable one in the first case. For a diesel car battery, choose cables with sections between 35 mm2 and 50 mm2. But for petrol car batteries, choose cables with a smaller section between 10 and 25 mm2.
The Surface Of The Starter Clamps
Another useful criterion to take into account when making your purchase. Indeed, at the ends of your cables, you have "starter clamps". The contact surface of these clamps is essential. Indeed, they will make it possible to improve or delay the passage of the current from one accumulator to another. For optimum current flow, the contact surface of the starter clamps must be larger.
The Clamping Pressure Of The Crocodile Clip
The pressure of the crocodile clips is another factor on which the passage of current will depend. The better the grip of the clamp, the better the current flows. Most clamps on the market have notched jaws to optimize grip on the battery terminals.
Boot Clamp Insulation
Don't forget that electricity only knows laws. If these laws are violated, the consequences follow. Insulating the gripper is a safety measure that prevents you from any risk of mishandling. The insulation saves you from the risk of electrocution. It is a safe measure to check when buying because there are insulated clamps but other cheaper ones are not.
How To Use Jumper Cables?
It may happen that you cannot start your car but fret not. The solution is to take your set of jumper cables out of the trunk. As soon as you have found the vehicle that can help you, the operation can begin. For this operation, both motors are off. The operation is indeed very simple but it would be wise to consult the manuals of the cars so as not to affect the electronic components of the car.
- Once the two cars face each other (and without touching), start by opening each of their hoods.
- Remove the various plastic protections on the batteries. This is often a plastic "cover".
- Establish the connection between the two batteries using the jumper cables. To do this, first, connect a clamp of the red cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Then hook the other end, the second red clip, onto the good positive (+) of the auxiliary battery. Once this connection is made, connect the black cable in the same way but first from the auxiliary battery and then to the faulty one.
- It is only once the various connections have been established that you can start the vehicle that works, the one that needs to be repaired. Let it run for a few minutes.
- Start the previously broken-down vehicle. If the engine takes the first shot, so much the better, but if not, wait a few minutes again and try again.
- Now is the time to unplug your jumper cables. Disconnect the black cable clamps first, then the red cable clamps.
- Refit the battery covers or plastic covers.
- Store your cables for possible future use.
- Let the engine of the vehicle that was broken down run for at least 30 minutes when stationary and 15 minutes while driving. This is to give the alternator time to recharge your battery so that you don't find yourself in the same situation on your next outing.
Final Verdict
Being stranded on the road because of a car’s dead battery can lead to extreme frustration, especially when you don’t have anything to revive it. So, make sure that doesn’t happen to you. Get jumper cables today from the list of best jumper cables consumer reports to enjoy uninterrupted trips, no matter how long they are.
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