Buying a jump box

[Bryan]

Thinking about buying a jump box in case of dead battery, how many amps do I need to get? Thanks for your help!

[Oonrahnjay]

Thinking about buying a jump box in case of dead battery, how many amps do I need to get? Thanks for your help! 

     Bryan, I don't have details (I won't be there until a couple of days pass) but the guy I rent storage space from has "party" buses with big sound (read "high-wattage") sound systems.  His drivers (aka Dept. of Education officially designated "low-intelligence area") are always leaving the sound systems running; they are wired up to pull directly off one 12V start battery with no Vanner.  He has to go out and jump them all the time.  He puts a small jump-box on one of the start batteries (24V system) and it fires the buses up right away.
     ISTM that a jump box is a good thing. 

[Jeremy]

I've never been clear on 'jump boxes' (battery boosters, as they're called here). Are they just a spare battery, a charger and a set of jump leads in a single convenient unit (in which case they just replicate components I'm sure we've all already got) - or do they do something 'special' such as maybe using a capacitor to give an extra kick? And if you do buy one, presumably they have a fairly finite life 'cos that little-used battery inside isn't gonna last that long...

Dunno if I should own one or not 

Jeremy

[bevans6]

Inside a jump box is usually an AGM battery, or maybe a Lithium Ion battery, specifically designed for high current and long storage life.  Will they jump start a bus? Maybe, if it doesn't actually need much.  You won't replace or recharge an 8D with something you can carry with one hand.  On the other hand, you might not need too much boost.

Brian

[Bryan]

Thanks guys! Just wanted to respond to boost this conversation back to the top of the forum.. Maybe someone else may have some insight?