CTEK charger

[MrRMB]

Afternoon all. My CTEK MX10 failed after 13 months and after a bit of hassle, Amazon have refunded the cost. I use this almost exclusively on the GS and am wondering if this model is slightly overkill and a 5 or 7 amp model would suffice. Thoughts appreciated, thanks. Richard

 

[Bebs]

For the past 8 years I have only been using Optimate 6 chargers, both on the 360 and the GT.
Never given me any problems at all (have 3 of them)

Optimate 6 AmpMatic 12V 5A Battery Charger & Optimiser TM182 OPT6

Optimate Battery Chargers Since 1994, Optimate high performance chargers have enhanced AGM, GEL, STD lead acid, and LiFePO4 lithium batteries lifespan and performance. Optimate is trusted by 15+ vehicle OEMs worldwide offering unique features like 'AmpMatic' current control, pulsed final...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[CatmanV2]

For the past 8 years I have only been using Optimate 6 chargers, both on the 360 and the GT.
Never given me any problems at all (have 3 of them)

Optimate 6 AmpMatic 12V 5A Battery Charger & Optimiser TM182 OPT6

Optimate Battery Chargers Since 1994, Optimate high performance chargers have enhanced AGM, GEL, STD lead acid, and LiFePO4 lithium batteries lifespan and performance. Optimate is trusted by 15+ vehicle OEMs worldwide offering unique features like 'AmpMatic' current control, pulsed final...

www.tayna.co.uk

Very well regarded in the biking community, or used to be

C

 

[mjheathcote]

I had an optimate for many years, however a couple of years ago walked into the garage and it was a brown smouldering mess having a meltdown!
I've aways from that point turned off any battery tenders when say going away on holiday.
What's replaced it? Lidl special, been absolutely fine!

 

[c4sman]

Afternoon all. My CTEK MX10 failed after 13 months and after a bit of hassle, Amazon have refunded the cost. I use this almost exclusively on the GS and am wondering if this model is slightly overkill and a 5 or 7 amp model would suffice. Thoughts appreciated, thanks. Richard

Used 2xMXS 5.0 with no problems over many years. Assume it’s one down from the 10 but not sure what else you need.

In recent years I tend to not leave them charging all of the time. It’s a good excuse to pop in the garage now and again when I’m not using the toys, switch on the charger for a few hours and pop back in again to switch them off later that day or the next day. How quickly the charger tells me they are at fully charged status gives an indication of battery condition (I think). I can leave the chargers off for a week, then switch them on and both cars get to fully charged in 2-3 hours at the moment so their batteries appear to be in good health. If I know I’m away for a few weeks, then I will leave them switched on constantly but see no need when I’m around and ensures I give the cars a once over on a regular basis to avoid issues like rodents in the garage for example.

 

[Bladerunner]

Afternoon all. My CTEK MX10 failed after 13 months and after a bit of hassle, Amazon have refunded the cost. I use this almost exclusively on the GS and am wondering if this model is slightly overkill and a 5 or 7 amp model would suffice. Thoughts appreciated, thanks. Richard

I’ve used the CTEK MXS 5.0 for the past 4 years and never had an issue…apart from the one time driving out the garage with it still connected and shredding the wires from the unit…but that’s my ******* fault!

 

[Tallman]

I use a CTEK 5 Amp which works fine. I believe the Maserati branded CTEK is in fact a 5 Amp

 

[Ewan]

I have two CTEK 5’s. Both have been fine for several years now. Like @c4sman I tend to connect them on occasion and as required, rather than leaving them plugged in 24/7.

 

[happydaze]

I’ve used the CTEK MXS 5.0 for the past 4 years and never had an issue…apart from the one time driving out the garage with it still connected and shredding the wires from the unit…but that’s my *** fault!

Phew! Glad I'm not the only one to do that...

 

[Strad]

MXS 5.0 on the Stradale and another on an old tractor kept outside, both fantastic.

 

[Sam McGoo]

I have an MXS10 and it's been brilliant.
It had an external temperature sensor, which if you use them a lot all year round, is quite important in not knackering your battery.

Also, great tip if you don't already, is connect it to a smart plug so it doesn't get over used.
If I'm away for a few weeks, I just switch it on remotely on my phone the day before I'm home, and all is hunky dory on my return.

 

[c4sman]

I have an MXS10 and it's been brilliant.
It had an external temperature sensor, which if you use them a lot all year round, is quite important in not knackering your battery.

the 5 also claims to have temp compensation for charging in all conditions

 

[conaero]

The Ctek is great with the added bonus it will charge a totally dead battery unlike most other smart chargers

 

[RoaryRati]

I've moved away from using the ctek as was told it can do something (can't remember what) to the battery and use the isolator instead - seems to be fine.

 

[Wack61]

Does the same as a ctec for £15, lidl

 

[Ebenezer]

I may be wrong, but I thought that for the temperature compensation to be effective, the temperature measurement needed to be the battery temperature, rather than the ambient temperature? Not sure that these actually measure the battery temp, and if they do, how?

Eb

 

[CatmanV2]

I may be wrong, but I thought that for the temperature compensation to be effective, the temperature measurement needed to be the battery temperature, rather than the ambient temperature? Not sure that these actually measure the battery temp, and if they do, how?

Eb

Agreed but the Lidl one isn't actually claiming temperature compensation? Just a bit of a guess that it's cold outside (and if it's anything like the C-Tek you need to tell it)

C

 

[Wack61]

£3 of that £15 is vat so how much are they built for in China, £5? , amazing really

 

[Zep]

There is an electronics guy on YowTube who strips down failed electronics and reverse engineers the circuits and components. I think the channel is called Magic Smoke.

The short version of what he finds is, buy cheap one. They are a triumph of marketing over content.

As for the rating, if it is for maintenance rather than charging, the smaller ones would be better.

 

[Wack61]

There is an electronics guy on YowTube who strips down failed electronics and reverse engineers the circuits and components. I think the channel is called Magic Smoke.

The short version of what he finds is, buy cheap one. They are a triumph of marketing over content.

As for the rating, if it is for maintenance rather than charging, the smaller ones would be better.

3 year warranty so they must have some confidence in them, what warranty do you get on a ctec