Ctek battery charger

Discussion in 'General chat' started by edthefed, Mar 27, 2020.

  1. edthefed
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    edthefed

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    Can I pick your esteemed brains ?

    We have a G30 five series diesel, now 3 years old l and an F48 petrol X1 , just over 2years old.

    Both obviously have stop /start fitted.

    Owing to the current situation both are currently "parked up" and seeing very little use, one in the garage and one on the drive, and they might be there for some time.

    I'm seriously considering getting a Ctek trickle charger and using it to try and keep the batteries in decent condition.

    Couple of questions

    1) which model would you recommend, both cars are still on the original batteries, and I will be using the under bonnet charging points ? The Ctek website suggests the CT5 but reading through older threads some of you use different variations

    2) how long does it take "roughly" to recharge a battery, hours, days, a week ? ...

    3) anything else I need to be aware of ?

    Many thanks chaps n chapesses !
     
  2. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I think Bob [@Singvogel ] will be your man for this - I'm sure he has experience of these.
     
  3. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    That’s a very good question, I’d be interested in the thoughts/answers on that one. My 2012 320d hasn’t moved for two weeks, no idea how old the battery is, so I’d be worried it could sit and drain.
     
  4. Highsided
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    Highsided

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    I use an mxs 5.0. It's sufficient for most car and motorcycle batteries, including those fitted to BMWs.

    You may have noticed other models, such as the mxs 3.8 and the mxs 7.0. The 5.0, 3.8, and the 7.0 indicates their charging rate (in amperes) for car batteries.

    To get an indication of how long it will take to charge a battery divide the battery capacity by the charging rate. For example, using a mxs 5.0, a 90ah battery will be fully charged from flat in approximately 18 hours. Some of the models have additional functionality, such as reconditioning, and this adds to the charging time.

    The ct5 is a very basic model, and from what I've read not suitable for all types of battery. Besides two cars I have two motorcycles, and a lawn tractor, i.e. three different types of battery, which a ct5 doesn't support. An mxs 5.0 or 7.0 will handle your needs and cover anything else that may crop up. The 3.8 is a little under powered

    Shop around - prices vary a great deal. The covid 19 situation may make it quite difficult to obtain one by post. Are Halfrauds still open?
     
  5. snrbrtsn
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    snrbrtsn WARLORD

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    Which model
    CTek mxs5.0 is circa £70
    Ctek mxs7.0 is circa £112
    Both prices are from Amazon, however cheaper pricing is available so worth shopping around, ie Halfords £80/£100

    I wouldn’t be overly concerned and rush out to buy a charger, regardless it’s the trickle charge/conditioning function you should focus on.
    Unless there is Parasitic drain the battery will be fine, all you’d need is a long run with plenty of over run (regenerative charging) to restore battery health when our front doors are opened.

    Either charger option is sufficient, however note the Battery in G30 is considerably bigger than F48,
    I believe (could be wrong) the G30 has two batteries, one for the stop start, it’s worth checking on Realoem as it appears spec specific,

    When I was tasked with the which one option, I went for the bigger amperage and opted for the MXS7.0, still providing reliable service years on.
    The MXS7.0 offered the benefit of state of charge indicator
    When first connected, I was always shocked as battery health would often be <80%, I would charge through the day and sneak a look before bed time, no change, often it would take circa 36hours to get the cycle onto float charge

    1) I’d suggest the MXS7.0

    2) I’d suggest circa 36hours to charge an AGM battery

    3) Ctex offer lead options which would allow bolt on through eyelets fitting for ease and security (in the sense of lead not fallen off through the night)

    3b) Perhaps opting for the MXS5.0 and a second set of comfort eyelet leads
    note found @£64 and site suggests, still delivering!
    https://www.hardwarexpress.co.uk/ct...MIsOSf2Z-66AIVw7TtCh10MQo1EAQYBCABEgJCi_D_BwE

    Ask the question of where to place the leads, wow, that would make a lengthy discussion and keep us all talking (haha)
     
  6. bishbosh
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    bishbosh WARLORD

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    I have a Ctek mxs-5 charger. Make sure any charger you get is suitable for AGM batteries. Charging usually takes a matter of hours, a bit longer if you opt to desulphate the battery. Once the charger has finished the cycle you can leave it connected and it will top up /trickle charge as necessary.

    Saying that not had to charge my battery often. I replaced the original one as the car kept losing the time and it was quite old. I've left my car at airport car parks for a couple of weeks and it's started right away.
     
  7. The_Master
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    The_Master

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    I have cheap one from Lidl - works a treat and is suitable for AGM batteries (has a special setting) was £13.99
     
  8. edthefed
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    edthefed

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    Thanks for the answers so far...we are in N Yorks and the local police are doing random stops to ensure your journey fits the essential criteria.
    Other than being moved so they can be washed, polished and waxed neither car has turned a wheel this week...luckily we have shops in walking distance.

    I've posed the question to Ctek by email. The website says they are still working.

    Another query...will the supplied battery clamps reach to the under bonnet charging points that are on opposite sides of the engine bay
     
  9. Abh29
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    Abh29

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    I second the Lidl charger , although I have only had it connected to the Z3 (much to old for Stop/Start battery)
     
  10. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Having had a mild panic about the battery health, and the fact I have a brand new multimeter, have been to check the car. I think these readings are pretty healthy, top is battery, second is with the engine on:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Is there a way of dating the battery? It’s a BMW one, but can’t see a date or reference:

    [​IMG]
     
  11. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Iirc, there used to be a code stamped into the top of the neg terminal - year and week number [or vice versa]
     
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  12. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Ah. Without going back out to the car to check, the photo suggests 17/12, so could very well be the original battery as it’s a June 2012 car.
     
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  13. Singvogel
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    Singvogel Staff Member Moderator WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I have the Lidl 'Ultimate Speed' charger which i bought over 5 years ago which for me is ideal.

    It has a 3,8amp charging rate and cost me £!3.99.

    I swithered over buying it as opposed to the much more expensive Ctek alternatives.

    It's branded Ultimate Speed - but it's made by Kompernaß Handels GMBH in Bremen Germany so it's actually a great bit of kit.

    I believe that Aldi's version is made by the same company.

    I use it regularly throughout the Winter just to keep the battery topped up as I mainly make short shopping trips with seat heaters, steering-wheel heating etc. etc.

    I typically connect it overnight about once a week and it can take 12 hours or so before the fully charged green light indicator comes on.

    Only once did I foolishly leave an interior light on and the car refuse to start the next morning - on that occasion it took a whole 24 hours to get the green come on - but I'm sure that the car would have started after perhaps 6 hours or so.

    There is an 'auto' (mode 4) where the charger switches itself to the trickle-charge mode after it has fully charged the battery.

    It's in use right now - been on since last Saturday and I'll simply be leaving it connected until I need the car next time.

    20200327_115038[1].jpg
     
  14. snrbrtsn
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    snrbrtsn WARLORD

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    One of the few good things of Mercedes
    They have an app MercedesMe that informs of state of charge
    93157AA4-4720-4C80-BCAB-E9619927400E.png
    Though sceptical of use as I believe it takes last known readings from car when your driving (possibly incorrect as it also notifies if doors are open, initially I thought it was from key, though it also informs when key is inactive due to motion sensor)
    Regardless it makes social distancing checks easy
    Ignore the Service Notification, it won’t be done any time soon :loser:
     
  15. edthefed
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    edthefed

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  16. edthefed
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    edthefed

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    Thanks for all your help and advice.

    I've just ordered the MXS 7.0 from Halfords....click and collect after 1600 next Friday OR free home delivery by next Friday, so I've done the responsible thing.

    Now let's see if it arrives
     
  17. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    In which case it's done well. (y)
     
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  18. Kev2005
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    Kev2005 WARLORD Site Supporter Good Egg

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    Atm i'm using the car to drive to work as i'm still required to go in but i'm hoping to stop going in ASAP as i really don't want to be going in now, just need to get some stuff done and shipped out and then i'm hoping that's it with maybe only needing to go in for the odd day as and when required if really required.

    Kev
     
  19. JasonH
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    JasonH

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    Because of the various electronic systems on the BMW it will be drawing a small amount of current all the time. If I remember correctly BMW recommend an absolute maximum of 6 weeks parked up before the battery should be charged and that would be from a fully charged (healthy) battery.

    Mercedes recommend a maximum of 4 weeks parked up before you should charge the battery.

    Alternatively if you do a shop every couple of weeks go to a bigger store a few miles away and that should keep the battery and car in good health.
     
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  20. Peter
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    Peter WARLORD

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    Don't forget our batteries won't fully charge just running around a few miles. Most unlikely to get much above 70 - 80% SoC, due to energy management strategy.

    I'm a MXS 5.0 CTEK user.(y)

    Peter
     
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