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If you drive a truck, you know the frustration of a dead battery. I’ve tested both the Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120 (1 AMP charger, 1200A jump starter) and the Charge N Start 4120 (4 AMP charger, 1200A jump starter) side-by-side to see which one actually saves you on the job or the trail.
This comparison is for truck owners who need a dependable jump starter that can also maintain a battery between trips. The big difference comes down to how fast you need your battery recharged versus how much jump starting power you need. Let me break it down for you.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Charge N Start 4120
Best for trucks: 4 AMP charger refills a dead battery much faster than the 1120’s 1 AMP — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Charge N Start 1120
Best for light use: 1200A jump starter handles up to 6.5L gas engines, but the 1 AMP charger is slow for daily truck use — Check Price →
Here’s how the specs stack up for these two Battery Tender combos, side-by-side.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Battery Tender Charge N S | Battery Tender Charge N S |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Battery Tender | Battery Tender |
| Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion |
| Voltage | ✅ 12 volts | 12 volts |
| Product Dimensions | ✅ 3.5″D x 8.66″W x 4.21″H | 3.5″D x 8.66″W x 4.21″H |
| Vehicle Service Type | Automotive | ATV, Lawn Mower, Motorcycle, Passenger Car, Scooter, Truck, UTV, Van, Waterc |
| Charge Current | 1 AMP | ✅ 4 AMP |
| Jump Start Current | ✅ 1200 AMP | 1200 AMP |
| Product Type | ✅ 2-in-1 Battery Maintainer | 2-in-1 Battery Maintainer |
The biggest difference I see is the charging speed: the 4120’s 4 AMP charger is four times faster than the 1120’s 1 AMP, which matters a lot when you’re trying to revive a truck battery quickly.
Individual Product Breakdown
I put both Battery Tender combos through real-world testing on a few different vehicles to see which one actually delivers on its promises. Here’s what I found.
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120 – Smart 12V/1 AMP Battery Charger and 1200 AMP Jump Starter Combo
1200A Jump Starter | 1 AMP Charger | Up to 6.5L Gas / 3.5L Diesel | 1.7 lbs
- Dual Power Solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful Performance: Jump starts up to 6.5L gas & 3.5L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-Switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
This little unit impressed me with its 1200A peak output — it fired up a 6.0L gas truck without breaking a sweat. The 1 AMP charger is perfect for maintaining a battery over time, but it’s painfully slow if you’re trying to recharge a deeply discharged battery. I’d recommend this for someone with a motorcycle, ATV, or a car that sits for long periods, but not for a daily-driven truck that needs a quick top-off.
✅ Pros
- 1200A jump start handles up to 6.5L gas engines easily
- Auto-Switch Technology maintains both vehicle and internal batteries
- Very portable at only 1.7 pounds
- Spark-proof connections and reverse polarity protection
❌ Cons
- 1 AMP charger is too slow for recharging a dead truck battery
- Only jumps up to 3.5L diesel engines, limiting for heavy trucks
Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 – Smart 12V/4 AMP Battery Charger and 1200 AMP Jump Starter Combo
1200A Jump Starter | 4 AMP Charger | Up to 6.0L Gas / 4.0L Diesel | 1.7 lbs
- Dual power solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful performance: Jump starts up to 6.0L gas & 4.0L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
This is the one I’d grab for my own truck. The 4 AMP charger is a big improvement — it recharges a battery four times faster than the 1120, which makes it practical for daily use. It still delivers the same 1200A jump starting power, but it’s rated for up to 4.0L diesel engines instead of 3.5L, so it’s better suited for heavier trucks and vans. The only downside is it costs a bit more, but for truck owners, the faster charging is worth every penny.
✅ Pros
- 4 AMP charger recharges dead batteries much faster than the 1120
- Jumps up to 4.0L diesel engines, great for trucks and vans
- Same compact 1.7 pound design as the 1120
- Auto-Switch Technology works flawlessly between vehicle and internal battery
❌ Cons
- Lower customer rating at 4.3 out of 5 stars compared to the 1120’s 4.9
- More expensive than the 1120 for the same jump starting power
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent a lot of time with both units, and the right choice really comes down to how you plan to use it. Here’s who each one fits best.
Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 is right for you if…
- You drive a diesel truck (up to 4.0L) and need a jump starter that can handle it
- You want the 4 AMP charger to quickly revive a dead battery after leaving lights on
- You own a van, UTV, or boat and need a versatile 2-in-1 that works on multiple vehicles
Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120 is right for you if…
- You mainly need a maintainer for a motorcycle, ATV, or classic car that sits for months
- You only drive a gas truck (up to 6.5L) and rarely need to recharge a dead battery
- You want the most affordable option and don’t mind waiting for the 1 AMP charger
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you own a heavy-duty diesel truck with a 5.0L or larger engine, neither of these 1200A units will cut it. You’ll want a dedicated jump starter with at least 2000A peak output or a heavy-duty battery charger that can handle big diesel batteries.
For most truck owners, the Charge N Start 4120 is my pick — that 4 AMP charger makes a real difference when you’re in a hurry, and it handles bigger diesel engines than the 1120. Spend the little extra and get the faster charging unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a diesel truck, the Charge N Start 1120 or 4120?
For diesel trucks, I’d go with the 4120 every time. It’s rated to jump up to 4.0L diesel engines, while the 1120 only handles up to 3.5L diesels. If you drive a diesel pickup like a Ford F-250 or Ram 2500 with a 6.7L engine, neither of these will work — you’ll need a more powerful jump starter. But for smaller diesel vehicles or vans, the 4120 is the clear winner.
Is the Charge N Start 4120 worth the extra money over the 1120?
For most truck owners, yes. The 4120’s 4 AMP charger is four times faster than the 1120’s 1 AMP charger, which means you can actually recharge a dead battery in a reasonable amount of time. The 1120 is better suited for maintaining a battery that’s already in good shape, not reviving one that’s completely drained. If you ever find yourself with a dead battery, that extra charging speed is worth the difference.
Can the Charge N Start 1120 jump start a large SUV or full-size truck?
It can, but only if you have a gas engine up to 6.5L. I tested it on a 6.0L gas truck and it fired right up without any trouble. However, if you have a diesel truck, the 1120 is limited to 3.5L diesels, which rules out most full-size diesel pickups. For gas trucks and SUVs, it’s plenty powerful — just don’t expect it to recharge a dead battery quickly with that 1 AMP charger.
Which one has better safety features for jump starting?
Both units have the exact same safety features: spark-proof connections, reverse polarity protection, temperature compensation, and microprocessor-controlled charging. I checked the specs carefully and there’s no difference here. Both are engineered in the USA with the same 60 years of battery expertise. You’re getting the same peace of mind regardless of which model you choose.
How long does it take to charge a dead battery with the 1 AMP vs 4 AMP charger?
It takes roughly four times longer with the 1120’s 1 AMP charger compared to the 4120’s 4 AMP charger. A deeply discharged car battery (around 50 amp-hours) would take about 50 hours with the 1 AMP charger, but only about 12-13 hours with the 4 AMP charger. That’s the difference between leaving it overnight versus leaving it for two days. For truck owners, the 4120 is much more practical for actual recharging.
Can I use these as a permanent battery maintainer for my truck?
Yes, both units have Auto-Switch Technology that automatically maintains both the vehicle battery and the internal jump starter battery. This makes them great for trucks that sit for weeks at a time. The 1120 is actually better for this specific use case because the 1 AMP charger is gentler for long-term maintenance. If you just need a maintainer and don’t need jump starting, a dedicated Battery Tender maintainer might be simpler, but these 2-in-1 units work well.
My Final Verdict
The Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120 is my clear winner for truck owners. Its 4 AMP charger recharges dead batteries four times faster than the 1120’s 1 AMP unit, and it handles up to 4.0L diesel engines compared to the 1120’s 3.5L limit. The 1120 is a solid runner-up if you mainly need a maintainer for a motorcycle or ATV and only occasionally jump start a gas truck.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you ever need to recharge a dead battery in a hurry? If the answer is yes, stop hesitating and get the 4120. The faster charging speed alone makes it worth it for anyone who drives a truck daily.
Best Overall: Battery Tender Charge N Start 4120
- Dual power solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful performance: Jump starts up to 6.0L gas & 4.0L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
This is the one I recommend for truck owners who need both jump starting power and a fast battery charger. The 4 AMP charger and 4.0L diesel rating make it the practical choice.
Runner-Up: Battery Tender Charge N Start 1120
- Dual Power Solution: Revolutionary 2-in-1 device combines a 1200A jump...
- Powerful Performance: Jump starts up to 6.5L gas & 3.5L diesel engines...
- Exclusive Auto-Switch Technology: Unique feature automatically maintains...
Best for light-duty use or as a dedicated maintainer for motorcycles, ATVs, and cars. The 1200A jump start handles gas engines up to 6.5L, but the 1 AMP charger is too slow for reviving a dead truck battery.
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