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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Price Points: Portable chargers

Portable chargers | H is for Home

Since moving to Wales, we’ve been making regular trips back to Yorkshire – a 4-hour trip, each way. As Justin drives, I like to spend my time in the passenger seat working on the laptop. Unfortunately, with multiple apps & energy-sapping programs open, the battery doesn’t last for the entire journey. Often, the battery on my iPhone does the same; not good if we break down and need to phone the AA. I need a powerbank that can top up our tech on the go.

We’re not the type of people who upgrade our smartphones, laptops and tablets on a regular basis. We have a 2013 MacBook Pro, I have an iPhone SE and Justin has an iPhone 4 and (relatively) ancient iPad. All of the above work well, so there’s no real need to trade them in or toss them out. However, what this means is that most of the portable chargers on the market don’t work with our 7-year-old MacBook Pro.

I could opt for the cheap & cheerful, sub-tenner option of a power bank that charges just our iPhones and Justin’s iPad. It only weighs 75g, so it can just be popped into a coat pocket or handbag.

Unlike the mid-range battery pack, the most expensive of the portable chargers clearly states that it will work with our particular model of machine. Despite this, I’m in two minds as to whether splashing out £130 is a worthwhile investment for a couple of hours use a couple of times per month… What do you think?

    1. Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank: £9.99, Argos
      Suitable for any smartphone, ipad, tablet, e-reader and any USB Type-A powered device. 2 hours recharge time. Weighs 75g.
    2. RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.: £67.49, Amazon
      Enough juice to charge an iPhone 7 5.6 times, a Galaxy S8 3.7 times, or a 12″ MacBook once. Recharges in 4 hours. Boxed-product weight: 1.2kg.
    3. BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh: £129.99, Amazon
      Charges a MacBook Pro 1 time, Macbook Air approach 1.5 times, iPad Mini 1 approach 2.5 times, iPhone 6 times, Recharges in around 2-3 hours via the BatPower 90W A90 AC Adapter (included). Boxed-product weight: 1.3kg.

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BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
£129.99
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
£67.49
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
£9.99
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
£129.99
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
£67.49
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
£9.99
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
£129.99
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
£67.49
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
£9.99
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
£129.99
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
£67.49
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
£9.99
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh
£129.99
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.
£67.49
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank
£9.99