10 replies to this topic

[ENGINR]

Am looking to buy a battery charger and a few people both on and off this forum have mentioned Ctek chargers.

 

Found this website, but not sure what model to go for/price to pay.

 

http://www.ctekbatte...CFUxJpgodwkUASA

 

What are people using/recommend?

[bazeng]

http://www.ctekbatte...tek-mxs-38.html

[Evo-00x]

You would want an MXS 7.0 minimum to recondition a discharged battery. I saw the Optima Rep on a Youtube video use the Ctek 7.0 so that's what I bought. It does everything I need it to do. Its fully automatic, reconditions, and even acts as a power supply. It charges fairly quickly too. A 10 Amp would be the best all round charger but it was a bit more expensive than the 7.0 at the time at over $200.

 

You can pick up a MXS 10 these days for the price that I paid for my 7 back in May 2013.

They are on sale on Ebay right now for a limited time only at $149 delivered!!! That's a frikken bargain! Aussie seller too.  http://www.ebay.com....=item258136618a

 

I used to have a low amp trickle charger before (think it was 1A or something) and it was good for keeping the battery topped up when the battery was in good condition. But sooner or later you'll find yourself having to charge up a discharged battery. Whether it be your AGM, GEL or your everyday wet type battery, you will end up needing a decent Amp battery charger with a bit more grunt to kickstart your battery back to life. This is why its good to have a charger that can do all types of different batteries and provide good amperage. A small amp trickle charger is good for its sole intended purpose as maintaining the battery's charge, but unfortunately they wont rescue an Optima battery that's been discharged under a certain amount of volts. If you try to charge a discharged battery it can take days on a low amp charger (if it can rescue it) and that's no fun if you need your car on the road quick. That's when you need the recondition mode on a Ctek charger with minimum 7 Amps. If I were to buy another Ctek tomorrow, I'd get myself a 10A which I think is the maximum rated charger that Optima recommend for their batteries. It will charge a battery within a few hours, or if you want you can leave it overnight and be guaranteed the battery is fully charged ready for hitting the track the next morning.

Edited by EVO-00X, 28 November 2013 - 11:02 AM.

[4th]

recommend optimate over ctek, watch the video it demonstrates why

 

 

fully automatic the lights are a bit confusing but plug it in and wait for green light top right = finished

 

http://www.moto-tech...ger-maintainer/

 

optimate 6 ftw, the weatherpoof quick charge/disconnect lead is awesome especially if you have a motorbike

[Evo-00x]

That's a video from 2008. Ctek have come out with newer tech and models since then 

The one in the video is only a basic 2-step charger. The later models have an 8-step charging process which works much better. 

[SCS]

I've recently bought the Ctek mxs5 and am happy with that for what I paid. From memory it was around $85. I'm impressed with the quality of the clips etc. I also got a silicon 'bumper' which is basically a few silicon strips that protect the unit. I thought it was a bit silly but it is actually quite useful. I rest the unit under my car on the floor and the is silicon bumper protects the body from scratches etc.

[EV0300]

Bit of a revival anyone still using the ctek chargers looking at getting one just want to make sure they are still going strong before i commit to a purchase

[bazeng]

Yeah mate. They are good.. I have 3. Looking to sell one if interested...

[EV0300]

Inbox me the details mate

[bazeng]

L
My messages are full.. What's your email?

[SCS]

I had.a problem with my CTEK charger a few months ago and had it replaced without any problems by the firm I bought it from. It was AutoElec who have a site on Ebay. No fuss. Would not hesitate to buy from them again. Just a tip hold on your receipt as they have a 5 yr warranty, but without the receipt you can't make a claim.