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If your father was anything like mine, he only had a relatively small set of tools in his garage.
But somehow, it was all he ever needed to fix the family car, house, and everything else that fell apart on his watch. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my old man, it’s that simplicity is key when it comes to most things in life.
Sure, it’s great to have a whole arsenal of tools at your disposal. But more often than not, you only need the basics to get the job done.
And the same thing goes for jump starters… You don’t need separate jump starters for your car, motorcycle, truck, or RV…
As long as you understand their amps and voltage requirements, you just need ONE single jump starter that can be used on all your vehicles.
Below, we outline jump starter requirements for motorcycles, cars, RVs, and trucks. We also debunk a few myths and misconceptions about how they’re used. So you can buy the correct jump starter to add to your collection of tools!
Want to learn more about shopping for a jump starter? Check out our comprehensive Jump Starter Guide!
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Can You Use A Jump Starter On A Motorcycle?
Yes, as long as your motorcycle runs a 12V system, you can use a 12V jump starter to boost the battery. Of course, you’ll need to use the jump starter correctly and make sure you’ve got a proper connection. But jump-starting a motorcycle is no different than jump-starting a car or truck.
Connect the clamps, turn the device on, and start the engine! INTERNAL LINK TO HOW TO USE A JUMP STARTER
The thing to remember, however, is that motorcycles have smaller batteries and motors. So they don’t need as many amps to get started. Typically, motorcycles need between 150 and 300 cranking amps to get up and running.
That being said, cold temperatures can reduce battery capacity and make it harder to start your bike, even when you're using the right jump starter.
Now, people often worry that using a higher-amp jump starter can damage their battery or the vehicle’s electronics. But this is entirely false!
Myth BUSTED! - You cannot “fry” a motorcycle battery by using a 2000A jump starter. Using a higher-amp unit won’t harm your motorcycle or the battery because it only provides the amount of amps needed. So even though the jump starter can output up to 2,000 amps, it will only output the exact amount drawn by the motorcycle’s electronic system.
Compared to traditional jumper cables, portable jump starters make jump starts easier and more convenient. Being prepared for your next ride by carrying a jump starter ensures you're ready for any dead battery situation.
Wondering if a jump starter can damage your car or battery? Read our featured post to find out: Can A Jump Starter Damage Your Car?
Image courtesy of Daniel @ bestjumpstarterreview.com @ Unsplash.com
Can You Use A Jump Starter On An RV Or Diesel Truck?
Yes, as long as your jump starter has enough output capacity, you can use it on an RV or a larger diesel truck.
The thing is, however, that RVs and diesel trucks draw more amps than small cars or motorcycles.
Larger vehicles like these usually need between 1,000 and 2,000 cranking amps. All vehicles have different amperage requirements to start, which is why it’s essential to understand how many amps you need in a jump starter before buying one.
On another note, if you’re attempting to jump-start heavy equipment or larger commercial vehicles, you may need an even bigger jump starter.
As you’ll see below, some 24V jump starters are explicitly rated for use on larger diesel vehicles. Some of these devices are powerful enough to start semi-trucks and large boats, demonstrating their versatility for a wide range of engine types and sizes.
Myth BUSTED! - You CAN use the same jump starter for a motorcycle, car, diesel truck, or even an RV. As long as you’re using a 12V jump starter and the vehicle you’re boosting has a 12V system, there’s no difference whether you’re boosting a Harley or a Honda Civic.
What About 24V Systems?
Most jump starters AND most vehicles use 12V systems. However, there are 24V jump starters and vehicles that have 24V system. And it’s incredibly important to NEVER use a 24V jump starter on a 12V vehicle system.
Class A motorhomes, coaches, and heavy equipment usually have 24V systems.
And if you connect a 12V jump starter to a 24V system, or if you connect a 24V jump starter to a 12V system, you’re asking for trouble. Misusing a jump starter can result in damage to the vehicle’s electronics, damage to the jump starter itself, overheating, and possibly even fires or explosions.
Therefore, always double-check you’re using the right size jump starter before connecting it to heavy equipment, buses, or Class A RVs.
Thinking about buying a battery charger instead of a jump starter? Read about the difference between the two in our blog: Jump Starters Vs. Battery Charger - What's The Difference?
Tool Troopers' 1000A JumpForce Pro - Built For All Of It
Sure, you can go out and buy a separate jump starter for each of your vehicles. However, if you purchase one that delivers the correct amperage output, you won’t need to.
And here at Tool Troopers, we’re all about cutting waste and making the most of the tools we’ve got, which is why we’ve designed our 1000A JumpForce Pro to be strong enough to boost almost any vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, RVs, and diesel trucks.
But we didn’t just build it to be powerful… We also built it with a waterproof and shockproof external housing and a few other features that make the 1000A JumpForce Pro the BEST jump starter out there.
Here's what helps JumpForce Pro stand out from the competition:
- Reverse polarity protection - Our unit issues an warning when clamps are connected improperly, which prevents short circuits, back-feeding, and voltage spikes.
- Spark-proof clamps - JumpForce Pro’s clamps are insulated and spark-proof, so they’re safer to use than many other similarly rated jump starter models.
- Portable power bank - Whether you need to charge a phone, tablet, or laptop while you’re on the go, JumpForce Pro has you covered with its handy USB power bank.
- Flashlight - If you ever end up on the side of the road at night, you’ll be glad to know JumpForce Pro has a built-in LED flashlight with an emergency strobe setting to help keep you safe.
We’ve designed our 1000A JumpForce Pro to be as rugged, strong, and durable as needed to help you boost your whole garage... At any time, anywhere, and no matter what, JumpForce Pro is designed to work through it all! Even if you're in the middle of a flood or in the driest of desert heat... Tool Troopers has your back!
Looking to find the best jump starters on the market? Check out our comprehensive jump starter guides, like "jump starters with air compressors," to learn how to choose the best models out there.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Using A Jump Starter For Motorcycles
Now that you know everything about using a jump starter on multiple vehicles, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions we hear from our readers.
Can I jump-start my Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a car jump starter?
Yes, as long as your bike has a 12V system and the jump starter is rated for 12V, there's absolutely no harm in using a car jump starter on your motorcycle battery. That said, you do need to ensure your clamps are correctly connected. It's also vital to never jump-start a 12V vehicle system with a 24V jump starter. 24V jump starters are designed for larger vehicles and should never be used on motorcycles, cars, or other vehicles that use 12V electronic systems.
What's the best jump starter for an RV battery?
RVs have larger engines, which means you'll need a jump starter with a higher amp output. We recommend looking for a jump starter that offers between 1,000 and 2,000 cranking amps to make sure you've got enough power to boost your RV. Going with a more powerful jump starter also ensures it will have an adequate output capacity to boost other smaller vehicles.
Can a jump starter be too powerful for a small battery?
No, jump starters only provide the amount of power drawn, so they can't be "too powerful" for a small battery. Even if you're using our 1000A JumpForce Pro on a smaller motorcycle battery, which only draws about 300 cranking amps, the jump starter will only provide the 300 cranking amps the motorcycle draws. Nothing more!
Do I need a separate jump starter for each vehicle?
No, not necessarily. As long as you purchase a jump starter that's strong enough to boost your biggest vehicle, you won't need separate units. For example, if your biggest vehicle is a diesel truck, make sure the jump starter you choose has enough output to boost it. And then, it will also be strong enough to boost any of your smaller vehicles, too.
Can I use a 2000A jump starter on all my vehicles?
Yes, unless you're attempting to jump-start heavy equipment or other types of larger commercial vehicles, a 2000A jump starter is adequate for most vehicles. A 2000A jump should provide plenty of power to boost motorcycle, ATV, car, SUV, truck, or even RV batteries with ease.
Need more advice on how to use a jump starter or on how to pick one? Check out our comprehensive guide on how many amps you really need in a jump starter.