The festive season and the open road calling often go hand-in-hand for many South Africans. Whether it’s a trip to the coast for a seaside holiday or a visit to see family across the country, the chances are the roads will be busy.
PriceCheck tip: Find out how to prep your car for summer road trips to save money and time.
If you are lucky, then you’ll have great company, audiobooks to listen to, and be able to sing along to your favourite songs. That said, what if your phone battery is depleted, the music stops playing, and the GPS is unavailable an hour from the final destination? Even worse, you car battery depletes and starts giving you issues, and you end up stranded on the side of the road. It’s important to embark on your road trip with all the right tools and accessories.
PriceCheck tip: Connect your vehicle with smart features thanks to Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatable infotainment systems.
While it is best practice to get your vehicle checked before embarking on a road-trip, it’s always a good idea to have power accessories in the car for peace of mind, which can help you stay connected and on the go. A preventative car battery check is essential and you’ll want to invest in a few power accessories for your car emergency kit.
Here are five handy car power accessories to make any road trip comfortable, easy, and fun. Think of it as the ‘great-family-road-trip-survival guide’!
A power bank
The first thing you need on any road trip is a decent portable power bank. This portable battery is ideal for charging cellphones, laptops or other electronic gadgets on-the-go. Available in different sizes, we recommend something like the Romosse SE10 power bank with its slim design and high capacity. These power banks keep devices at full power and can charge two devices simultaneously so that you don’t run out of battery power on the road. It has capacity of 10000 mAh and can charge a Samsung Galaxy smartphone about three times with some power to spare. You can of course charge other devices as well that includes other smartphones, tablets and so on from Apple, Android and more.
Jumper cables
All motorists should have a pair of jumper cables and know how to use them. Experts recommend motorists use jumper cables that have extra-long and durable cables, that are reliable and safe. “Always start with the red clamp on the positive post of the battery that is working,” says Jason Ravenscroft.
500 Lumen Diffuser Torch
A good, powerful torch is another essential for your car’s emergency kit. Ideal for camping, hiking, and emergencies when power isn’t available, the Lumen torch is powerful and coupled with the diffuser can soften the light beam. It’s USB rechargeable and protects against short circuits and overcharging. The diffuser pulls double-duty as it’s collapsible and can be used as a high-quality silicone drinking cup.
A rechargeable headlamp
A USB rechargeable, hands-free headlamp is also essential. All you need to do is wave and hey-presto, light! The HiLight Light Sensor 140 is a great choice for your car’s emergency kit. The light sensor can power your surroundings for up to 15 hours when fully charged. Use it for camping, hiking, a braai, DIY, or to light up dark areas.
Car battery Jumpstarter Power Bank
Don’t allow your road trip to stall with a flat car battery. This powerful power bank can jump-start your car battery in an emergency and includes jump-start clamps — keep them in the boot just in case to give the battery the boost it needs and get your trip back on track. Plus, you can use the USB input to charge your cellphone.
“There are few things worse than a flat battery, whether it’s your phone or car battery,” said Jason Ravenscroft, Franchise Manager at Battery Centre. “Our specialists recommend motorists have their batteries checked before a long trip to limit the risk of getting stuck with a flat car battery. If you do find yourself in this position, having the right car accessories on hand, will make things easier until you get help.” he added.
You can get your car battery checked by Battery Centre, who do them for free, so you can have a relaxed journey, knowing your battery is in the right condition for your road trip.
