Power bank or CTEK charger?

[davejazz]

So, the car is coming up to 4 years old, and I need to be mindful, of the limited capacity of the 12 V battery.

If you had to make a choice, would you put your money into a charger, or a power bank?

I think I am leaning towards the power bank!

[Jazzik]

You buy a battery charger to prevent ending up with a dead battery.
You buy a battery booster or jump starter in case you do end up with a dead battery.
Assuming that prevention is better than cure, what would you choose?

[ahavoja]

The charger you would need to use every few weeks, which I would be lazy to do.

The power bank you only need to use once, when the car won't start. But the power bank still needs to be recharged maybe twice a year, possibly even if it isn't used as its internal battery may self-discharge over time.

Third option could be to replace the 12V battery of Jazz, before the problems even start. This needs to be done only once every few years.

[ColinB]

So, the car is coming up to 4 years old, and I need to be mindful, of the limited capacity of the 12 V battery.

If you had to make a choice, would you put your money into a charger, or a power bank?

I think I am leaning towards the power bank!

A lot depends on how you use the car, because those thoughtful people at Honda do actually provide a charger with every car, all you have to do is drive it. If you only do infrequent short urban trips then that charger doesn’t really have a chance to do its job properly and you might want to get a backup charger to help it out. But if your usage pattern ensures the battery gets charged then you shouldn’t have much to worry about, although a power pack might be a peace-of-mind investment (gives you the opportunity of helping out neighbours and friends as well).

[Ian F]

The charger you would need to use every few weeks, which I would be lazy to do.

The power bank you only need to use once, when the car won't start. But the power bank still needs to be recharged maybe twice a year, possibly even if it isn't used as its internal battery may self-discharge over time.

Third option could be to replace the 12V battery of Jazz, before the problems even start. This needs to be done only once every few years.

CTEK charger are just connected and left connected whilst the car is parked up. The charger needs time connected to perform all the maintenance routines it goes through.

Ian F

[Lord Voltermore]

It depends on your usage pattern.  If the car spends a lot of time in a garage or driveway with access to mains power  a charger  will keep it topped up, even if you only do short journeys.

But having a charger at home in the garage is no help at all if for instance you return to the car at airport parking after a holiday (jet fuel permitting  ) or listening to the  radio in accessory mode at Tescos car park  and the car doesnt start.   

If you are not sure why not have both? 

I carry a small power bank jump starter in the car, and have a small smart trickle charger in the garage  should I ever need it.  I also have a volt meter that plugs into the accessory socket so I can occasionally monitor the 12v battery  battery charge level.    Not a massive investment in total, which can also be used in future cars.   And as is often the case with taking triple precautions for the last 5 years (or quadruple precautions if you include calling out assistance)  I have never needed them.

Another  tick in the box for a small powerbank jump starter is they can also be used as a power bank. If for instance you planned a  walk from the  parked car and realise your phone or camera is low on charge, you can slip it in your pocket.  Or use it as a torch.   Mountain rescue . (This is why i also have the 'what3words' app on my phone.  Much easier than messing about with grid  references - again never needed  it )

[Bristol_Crosstar]

The trickle charger doesn't need to be run every 2 weeks if the battery is ok to start with, on my previous Jazz I would check the voltage mid-winter and if it was below where it should be put it on charge for 4 or 5 hours but I'd generally only need to do it once each winter max, and since I've had a newer model for a couple of years I haven't charged at all and had no problems.

[CB72]

I have a power bank, never used it, I use the car every day. Honda Assist (AA) have Home Start so I'm covered if the worst happens.

[coldstart]

I have both: A Noco GB20 booster and a CTEK charger.  (my son calls me a "prepper")

So far, I have never had to use the booster and only been topping its charge up every 3 months.
The CTEK charger however, gets frequently used during the cold season and - if I remember - before longer travels.

A good charger (when regularly hooked up) actually can help prolong the 12V battery's lifespan and thus pay for itself.
A booster can avoid the hassle of figuring out whom to call and wait for them to arrive and/or lets you help out others in need without damaging your car (we MK4 Jazz owners aren't supposed to jump start other vehicules because the Jazz's 12V battery isn't built for cranking an ICE).

[Kremmen]

I know a different model, but my 2013 9G Civic only had 12k miles on the clock when I p/x it after 9 1/2 years

I used a CTEK every couple of weeks as a boost and it still had the original 2013 supplied battery which passed every years servicing check

[Karoq]

Third option is a small solar panel on the dashboard.
My eNiro failed because the 12 v battery was 3 years old. I hadn't a clue why, so I had to join the AA as an 'emergency member'. Cost me a £130 . AA man came round with his jump pack and I was running within 30 seconds. A VERY expensive lesson learnt!!
Straight up to HALFRAUDS for a new 12V battery, another £100!!