High-Amperage Discipline: Operational Protocols for the JNC660

The Clore JNC660 is a professional instrument that lacks the safety nets of modern consumer electronics. There is no polarity alarm. There is no “boost” button to press. There is no on/off switch for the clamps. From the moment the unit is charged, the jaws are live and capable of delivering 1700 Amps of short-circuit current.

This absence of safeguards is not a defect; it is a requirement for instant, unrestricted power delivery. However, it demands a higher level of operator discipline. This guide outlines the operational protocols required to wield this power safely, specifically focusing on the challenges of diesel engines and the rigorous maintenance required to preserve the onboard AGM battery.

Protocol: The “Always Hot” Hazard

Managing Live Ordnance

Unlike lithium jump starters that remain inert until a handshake protocol is met, the JNC660 is always armed. The voltage potential exists at the clamps 24/7. * The Risk: If the positive and negative clamps touch, or if the positive clamp touches the chassis while the negative is grounded, the result is an immediate Arc Flash. This can weld the clamps together, melt the copper cabling, or cause the internal battery to vent gas. * The Holster Discipline: The JNC660 features side-mounted holsters.
1. Extraction: Never remove both clamps simultaneously. Remove the Positive (Red) clamp first, connect it, and then remove the Negative (Black).
2. Retraction: Immediately after the start, disconnect Negative, holster it. Then disconnect Positive, holster it.
3. Cable Management: Ensure the cables are wound into the side tracks. Loose cables serve as a trip hazard and increase the risk of the clamps popping out of their holsters during transport.

Protocol: The Diesel Cold Start

Overcoming Compression and Pre-Heat

Starting a large displacement diesel engine (like the Mitsubishi FE140 cited by users) requires a different strategy than a gas sedan. Diesel engines have compression ratios of 17:1 or higher and often require Glow Plugs or Grid Heaters before cranking. * The Heater Load: When you turn the key to “On”, the glow plugs draw massive current (often 50-100 Amps) to heat the cylinders. * The JNC660 Strategy:
1. Connection: Hook up the JNC660.
2. The Wait: Turn the key to “On” (Wait to Start). Let the JNC660 supply the current for the glow plugs. The 22Ah capacity is sufficient to buffer this load without depleting the cranking reserve.
3. The Crank: Once the glow plug light goes out, crank immediately.
4. Rest Cycle: If the engine does not fire in 5 seconds, STOP. Diesel starters overheat quickly. Wait 2-3 minutes. This also allows the JNC660’s internal battery voltage to recover (rebound). Continuous cranking will overheat the #2 AWG cables and damage the battery plates.

Protocol: The “Dead Zero” Recovery

When Digital Fails, Analog Wins

Modern vehicles with dead batteries often read near 0 Volts. Smart lithium chargers will not detect a battery and will refuse to activate. The JNC660 ignores this. * The Surface Charge: When you connect the JNC660 to a 0V system, current flows immediately. * Procedure: Do not crank instantly. Let the connection sit for 60 seconds. This allows the JNC660 to transfer energy into the dead lead-acid battery, raising its voltage and energizing the vehicle’s ECU, fuel pump, and injectors. * The Result: By the time you turn the key, the vehicle system is “awake” and ready to utilize the cranking amps provided by the jump starter.

Maintenance: The 24-Hour Rule

Fighting Sulfation

The Clore PROFORMER battery is a lead-acid unit. It suffers from a chemical entropy known as Sulfation. When the battery is discharged, lead sulfate crystals form on the plates. If left discharged, these crystals harden and become permanent, destroying the battery’s capacity. * The Myth: “I only used it once, I don’t need to charge it.” * The Reality: Even a single jump start drops the voltage. Storing it at 80% charge allows sulfation to begin. * The Protocol:
1. Immediate Recharge: Plug the unit in immediately after every use. No exceptions.
2. The Built-in Charger: The JNC660 has a built-in automatic charger (connected via extension cord). It is a slow, trickle-style charger.
3. Duration: It often takes 24 hours to reach full saturation. The “Green Light” indicates a high surface voltage, but true chemical saturation takes longer. Leave it plugged in overnight.
4. Continuous Connection: The internal circuitry prevents overcharging. For fleet shops, the best practice is to leave the unit plugged into the wall whenever it is not hanging on a truck.

Hardware Stewardship

Clamp and Cable Care

• Corrosion: The copper teeth of the clamps will oxidize over time. High resistance at the teeth equals heat. Use a wire brush to clean the teeth annually.
• Cable Stress: The point where the cables exit the plastic housing is a stress point. Do not carry the unit by the cables. Do not yank the unit out of a truck by the cables. Internal strand breakage at this junction is a common failure mode for abused units.
• Case Integrity: While the case is rugged, dropping it from 5 feet onto concrete can crack the internal battery mounts. If the unit rattles, the battery has broken loose. Do not use; internal arcing is possible.

The Voltmeter Interpretation

The front panel features a voltmeter button. * Load State: Pressing the button while the unit is resting tells you the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV). 12.8V+ is full. 12.2V is 50%. * Diagnostic Trick: You can use the JNC660 to test a vehicle’s alternator.
1. Jump start the car.
2. Leave the JNC660 connected.
3. Press the voltmeter button.
4. If the gauge reads 14V+, the alternator is charging. If it stays at 12V or drops, the alternator is dead.

By treating the JNC660 as a volatile reservoir of energy rather than a consumer appliance, operators can extract years of reliable service. It requires respect for the live jaws and discipline in charging, but in exchange, it offers the only thing that matters in a blizzard: ignition.