Trickle Chargers: Ensuring battery longevity in your vehicle

Trickle Chargers: Ensuring battery longevity in your vehicle

Imagine this: you’re gearing up for a long-awaited road trip with your family to Scotland. The car is packed, the kids are buzzing with excitement and you’re ready to hit the road. But as you turn the key in the ignition, you hear that dreaded sound – a weak, struggling engine. Your heart sinks. Could it be your battery?

Ensuring battery longevity in your vehicle

Your car’s battery is like the heart of your vehicle – it powers everything from starting your engine to running your electronics. Yet, it’s often the most neglected component until it fails. This is where understanding the importance of a battery charger, especially a trickle charger, comes into play. Let’s explore how these devices can not only save you from the disappointment of a dead battery but also extend its lifespan significantly.

The vital role of a battery charger

Picture this: last winter, during a particularly cold spell, Marie found herself stuck in her driveway with a car that wouldn’t start. It was early morning, and she had an important meeting to attend. After hours of waiting for a recovery vehicle and an expensive jump-start service, she vowed never to let her battery catch her off guard again.

A battery charger is your proactive shield against such situations. Unlike traditional chargers that deliver a quick burst of charge and then stop, potentially harming your battery over time, a trickle charger works differently. It provides a steady, low current to your battery, keeping it topped up without overcharging. This gentle maintenance prevents sulfation – the leading cause of battery failure – by ensuring your battery stays in optimal condition.

Why you need a trickle charger

Chris, a seasoned road-tripper, understands the importance of keeping his vehicle in top shape. He recalls a journey where a dead battery stranded him in an unfamiliar town. With no nearby service station and limited mobile phone reception, the experience was not only frustrating but also costly. Since then, he’s sworn by the effectiveness of a car battery trickle charger in maintaining his battery’s health.

By using a trickle charger regularly, especially during periods of infrequent vehicle use or extreme weather conditions, you ensure that your battery remains charged and ready to go when you are. It’s like giving your car’s heart a daily workout to keep it strong and reliable.

Choosing the right trickle charger

When selecting a trickle charger, consider factors such as compatibility with your battery type, voltage output and safety features like automatic shut-off to prevent overcharging. Investing in a quality charger tailored to your vehicle’s needs can save you from future headaches and expenses.

A personal anecdote: The imaginary Scotland incident

Last summer, as we set off for Scotland, our car unexpectedly refused to start. After checking everything from the ignition to the fuel, we realised it was the battery that had let us down. Luckily, a nearby mechanic had a trickle charger on hand. Within hours, our battery was revived, and we were back on track to enjoy our holiday. That incident taught us a valuable lesson about the importance of battery maintenance and the reliability of a trickle charger.

In essence, integrating a trickle charger into your vehicle maintenance routine is not just about convenience – it’s about safeguarding your investment and ensuring peace of mind. Whether you’re preparing for a family road trip, facing harsh winters or simply want to extend the life of your battery, a trickle charger is your trusted ally. Remember, a well-maintained battery not only starts your car reliably but also saves you from unexpected detours and expenses down the road. So, next time you think about caring for your vehicle, think about the heart of it – your battery – and consider how a trickle charger can make all the difference.

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Auction Alert: Petroliana – Enamel signs, petrol pump globes, oil cans and early advertising

Eight oil pourers; inc. Shell X-100 pint, Smiths Bluecol, Fina, Esso, Shell anti-freeze etc

Petroliana is a new word on us. We’ve heard of automobilia in the past; however, judging by the names, ‘petroliana’ refers to things found in a gas/petrol station or garage and ‘automobilia’ is the term for anything car/van/motorbike/automobile-related.

Petroliana – Enamel signs, petrol pump globes, oil cans and early advertising takes place on 29th June 2024, from 9:30am. The sale is being run by Richard Edmonds Auctions who are based in Chippenham, Wiltshire. There are 514 lots, and we’ve chosen to highlight some of the items in the sale that you don’t have to be a ‘petrol head’ to appreciate… We certainly aren’t! They’re all things that would look great in any home, garden, greenhouse, man cave, she shed etc.

There’s a buyer’s premium of 16.67% (exc. VAT) and a further online commission of 3% (exc. VAT) on top, so bear that in mind before you place any bids.

In addition to in the room bidding, bids can be left with us, live bidding over the telephone available as well as through the-saleroom.com

Michelin Mr. Bibendum bakelite ashtray

Lot 46: A Michelin Mr. Bibendum bakelite ashtray

Estimate: £200-£300

1950s Michellin Bibendum 'Baby Girl' moneybox

Lot 110: A 1950s Michelin Bibendum ‘Baby Girl’ moneybox

5 1/4″ tall.
Estimate: £180-£200

Shell Motor Oil metal pint jug

Lot 114: A Shell Motor Oil pint jug

Estimate: £150-£200

Framed Pratt's advertising mirror

Lot 120: A Pratt’s Perfection Spirit framed and glazed advertising mirror

Depicting a Pratt’s Perfection Spirit two-gallon can, 20 1/4 x 26 1/4″.
Estimate: £300-£400

Set of Peek traffic lights

Lot 145: A set of Peek traffic lights

Lights on rotation between the three colours, 37″ tall x 13 1/2″ wide x 8″ deep, shades detachable.
Estimate: £100-£200

Eight oil pourers; inc. Shell X-100 pint, Smiths Bluecol, Fina, Esso, Shell anti-freeze etc

Lot 173: Eight oil pourers

Inc. Shell X-100 pint, Smiths Bluecol, Fina, Esso, Shell anti-freeze etc.
Estimate: £50-£80

A selection of playworn models of petrol pumps etc, some stamped Dinky

Lot 187: A selection of play-worn models of petrol pumps etc, some stamped Dinky

Estimate: £15-£25

Michelin First Aid (tyre repair) tin cabinet/toolbox

Lot 200: A Michelin First Aid (tyre repair) tin cabinet/toolbox

Unusually still with inside partitions and some original contents, 16 x 8 1/4 x 4 1/4″ closed, 16 x 16″ opened.
Estimate: £300-£500

Dunlop Fan Belts wall-mounted rack

Lot 231: A Dunlop Fan Belts wall-mounted rack

Estimate: £40-£60

Motorcraft acrylic wall clock

Lot 256: A Motorcraft acrylic wall clock

With illustrations advertising the brand’s products, 15 x 15 3/4″.
Estimate: £150-£200

Shell moulded plastic watering can

Lot 307: A Shell plastic watering can

Estimate: £150-£200

National Benzole four-sided hanging light with glass sides

Lot 372: A National Benzole four-sided hanging light with glass sides

One frosted glass side, another Night Service with NB logo, another with a five-digit phone number and logo and the other a second Night Service with NB logo (very heavy).
Estimate: £300-£500

Castrol Anti-freeze garage wall thermometer

Lot 385: A Castrol Anti-freeze garage wall thermometer

8 1/4 x 22 1/2″.
Estimate: £80-£120

Price Points: Car dash-cams

Car dash-cams

We bought a new (to us) car last year, it’s the biggest investment, bar the house, that we’ve made. Of course, it’s comprehensively insured; however, that doesn’t stop us wanting to be careful while driving.

We’ve heard of the rise of ‘cash for crash’ insurance scams and it’s very worrying. We used to live near a couple of the hotspots – Halifax and Manchester – and still visit the areas on occasion. Dash-cams are devices that would come in very handy if we were ever to be involved in one of these incidents.

Having a dash-cam installed could prove to be invaluable when making a police report or car/personal injury insurance claim. You could buy one for as little as £35.00 from your local Halfords store – and they’ll even fit it for you then & there for another £35.00.

  1. Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam: £35.00, Halfords
    • 720P resolution rear dash cam
    • Exclusively for use with HDC300 or HDC400 Dash Cams
    • 150° camera viewing angle
    • Night vision
    • Integrated WiFi allows wireless connection to app
    • The MyHDC App makes viewing footage, changing settings and downloading footage easy
    • Automatic loop recording means no need to manually delete unneeded footage
    • Direct to rear windscreen mount for secure fitting
    • G-Shock sensor automatically saves footage if the car is in a collision
    • Auto Start/Stop prevents the dash cam from draining the vehicle battery
    • Digital camera mode, with lithium battery and 8MP still camera
  2. 322GW: £109.00, NextBase

    The award-winning 322GW includes revolutionary new safety features, helping you enjoy a safer journey than ever before. The 1080p HD model uses Emergency SOS to alert the emergency services to your location in the event of an accident. With a new IPS HD touch screen, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built-in, the 322GW is an extremely well connected dash-cam

  3. Garmin Dash Cam Tandem: £240.61, Amazon
    • Keep a watchful eye out front and in the interior with two lenses
    • The front-facing lens captures all the important details in crisp 1440p video
    • Don’t miss a thing, even in the dark. The interior lens has night Vision featuring our exclusive NightGlo™ technology
    • No need to choose between powering the dash cam or charging your phone. Do both
    • Keep those hands on the wheel. This dash cam responds to voice commands
    • Power up and you’re ready to go, thanks to the included microSD™ card

shop car dash-cams

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
£240.61
NextBase 322GW
NextBase 322GW
£109.00
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
£35.00
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
£240.61
NextBase 322GW
NextBase 322GW
£109.00
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
£35.00
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
£240.61
NextBase 322GW
NextBase 322GW
£109.00
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
£35.00
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
£240.61
NextBase 322GW
NextBase 322GW
£109.00
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
£35.00
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
Garmin Dash Cam Tandem
£240.61
NextBase 322GW
NextBase 322GW
£109.00
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
Halfords HDC-R rear dash cam
£35.00

5 things you should do after you’ve been in an auto accident

5 things you should do after you've been in an auto accident

With car ownership ever-increasing, automobile accidents are unsurprisingly very common on our roads. Cars have become a necessity for most people; they’re used for the work commute, take family members to and from school and are used to go on holiday. Driving a vehicle brings multiple challenges and requires concentration; it’s not an opportunity for multi-tasking. Hence, texting, making phone calls and other distractions whilst driving cause a lot of unnecessary accidents. No matter how careful someone is, they can still be caught up in an incident because of other road users. Below are some steps individuals should take whenever they’ve been involved in an auto accident.

Overturned car seen through a rear view mirror

Ensure everyone’s safety

The most important thing to do following a car crash is to find out if everyone involved is alright and unharmed. A lot of things can happen during an auto accident, including passengers being thrown from the vehicle. It’s essential to do a head count to ensure that everyone is accounted for. Once this is done, the next step should be attending to the ones deemed most in need of help. In the case of someone being seriously injured, first aid should be administered whilst waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Crashed car being recovered

Contact a credible rescue team

It’s always important to alert the necessary authorities as quickly as possible. Depending on where the accident happened and how serious it was, the police, highways and traffic agencies may need to be notified. The ambulance and/or fire service may also need to be requested. If a car is no longer drivable, a service such as the AA or RAC will need to be called to tow it away. Following auto accidents, lawyers also come in handy in case you think you’re in the wrong or if you need to seek compensation from someone else who has caused the accident.

Overturned car in an accident

Report

Properly reporting a serious accident is vital; especially if is a legal case is launched. You should tell the police precisely what happened, to the best of your recollection. The exact time should be stated, including the weather conditions as well as the vehicles, their registrations and the drivers involved. The damage to  should also be noted down and the location established. You can add a diagram if it is necessary. Ensure that receive a copy of the report that you’ve given to the police, in case you need it in the future.

Wrecked car

Medical treatment

Whether you feel fine or not, medical treatment and follow-ups are always advisable. If the car is in good enough condition to drive, you should get all the passengers to the nearest emergency medical care available. Some injuries go undetected but can end up being fatal.

Black car with damage to the rear left wheel

Contact your insurance company

Most policies require immediate contact in case there are any accidents. Failure to adhere to this can end up with the financial damages being transferred to you. When contacting the company, make sure that you inform them of all the things that have occurred, including the crucial information about the other car and driver involved.

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