Battery charger/conditioner Recommendation

[TitanTim]

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a decent charger that does both standard and AGM car batteries please thats similar to a CTEK. I know some in the past have bought something similar from Lidl?

My current CTEK MXS 5.0 is playing up as the mode button is 0nly working occasionally and I know it wont be long before it packs in altogether. My previous CTEK did exactly the same so I shelled out 70 quid for my curret one. So this is two chargers in the space of 5 years or so obviously you're not paying for the quality as I thought. Annoyingly the mode button is only pressed less that half a dozen times a year so its not as if its caned although the charger is generally on 24/7n all year round depending of which car is being used.

It seems to be a common problem with these chargers and you can take it apart and lubricate the switch, I'm just not sure I want to mess with something thats continously connected to the mains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rx_RXGKGj4

Thanks,

Tim.

 

[john-e89]

Hey Tim here’s a thought......maybe drive the pig once in a while using the alternator to charge it..... :wink:

Worth a shot though no...?

 

[TitanTim]

Hey Tim here’s a thought......maybe drive the pig once in a while using the alternator to charge it..... :wink:

Worth a shot though no...?

Well I thought I would operate on my original charger :?

Patient ready.

diesel near me

The operation.



A shot of WD40.



Patient on the mend.



Second operation same time tomorrow.

Touche Dr Johnny

Tim.

 

[Wildfire]

I was going to say CTEK, but.... if not I hear good things about optimate.

 

[andyf1140]

Hey Tim here’s a thought......maybe drive the pig once in a while using the alternator to charge it..... :wink:

Worth a shot though no...?

I would agree but sometimes the smart chargers can save a poorly performing battery

 

[markplant]

Do these not have a five year warranty , if you got from Amazon get the purchase date an contact ctek

 

[TitanTim]

Do these not have a five year warranty , if you got from Amazon get the purchase date an contact ctek

Thanks Mark, yes you're correct Just checked on the CTEK website, I just now need to find the box in the garage and hopefully the receipt will still be inside

I don't know why, just assumed the warranty was 12 months

If I can find the box and receipt I'll contact CTEK directly.

Tim.

 

[TitanTim]

Hey Tim here’s a thought......maybe drive the pig once in a while using the alternator to charge it..... :wink:

Worth a shot though no...?

I would agree but sometimes the smart chargers can save a poorly performing battery

Always use a charger even if the car is laid up for just a few days, mind you the M140i has been laid up the past 7 months :lol: Does that make it a garage queen

Tim.

 

[TitanTim]

I was going to say CTEK, but.... if not I hear good things about optimate.

Thanks for that, I'll see how I get on as I might be able to do a warranty claim. If it comes down to buying another charger then I think I'll be moving away for CTEK.

Tim.

 

[Jembo]

I’m currently running 2 cars on cheapo solar chargers since August last year.

So far, neither have given any hassle or battery woes & IMO the nighttime drain followed by a daytime charge is even better for the battery

 

[TitanTim]

I’m currently running 2 cars on cheapo solar chargers since August last year.

So far, neither have given any hassle or battery woes & IMO the nighttime drain followed by a daytime charge is even better for the battery

Thanks Jembo, I did try a solar charger some years ago but it wasn't that successful as the car is garaged so it wasn't really charging that great.

Tim.

 

[Jembo]

I’m currently running 2 cars on cheapo solar chargers since August last year.

So far, neither have given any hassle or battery woes & IMO the nighttime drain followed by a daytime charge is even better for the battery

Thanks Jembo, I did try a solar charger some years ago but it wasn't that successful as the car is garaged so it wasn't really charging that great.

Tim.

That’s unfortunate - my M survived on one for 4 months before it was moved over winter, where it was garaged with trees around. Was heavily impressed because of that, shame u didn’t have same experience

 

[TitanTim]

I’m currently running 2 cars on cheapo solar chargers since August last year.

So far, neither have given any hassle or battery woes & IMO the nighttime drain followed by a daytime charge is even better for the battery

Thanks Jembo, I did try a solar charger some years ago but it wasn't that successful as the car is garaged so it wasn't really charging that great.

Tim.

That’s unfortunate - my M survived on one for 4 months before it was moved over winter, where it was garaged with trees around. Was heavily impressed because of that, shame u didn’t have same experience

Yes a bit of a shame, I have a RING outside security cam hooked up to a solar panel and it works brilliantly, the only time I need to charge the cam is in the middle of winter when the panel doesn't quite get enough sunlight but then its rare.

Think I will try this Optimate https://www.optimate.co.uk/products/optimate-1-duo#more-info seems a decent price compared to CTEKs. Quite disappointed in the CTEK brand as they're supposed to be one of better ones out there.

Tim.

 

[ronk]

I got a £6 golf cart / leisure battery maintenance charger from Makro many years ago and touch wood it’s still going strong.
There’s a Lidl charger on the shelf I reserve just in case .