CTek Alternative

[Cakesbaby]

Hi

Reading different posts from this forum and others it seems the consensus from most of you is to use a CTek battery charger to maintain your battery when the car is laid up for an extended period of time.

Whilst I have no doubt they are reliable and a decent piece of kit I always thought the price was a bit high for a battery charger (£60+). To this end I’ve been using this for the last couple of years and to be honest I’ve not had a single issue with my battery (cost me £27.00 back then). As far as I can tell it does exactly the same job as the CTek. Considering the battery is now 7 years old it still performs very well I think it’s a good bit of kit.

I had it connected last winter for 4 months whilst the car was laid up and started first time without an issue.

I would be interested in what you guys think?



https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DW6RHN2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_MWA8FbTNGKC3C

 

[mr.tourette]

I use a 30 quid motorbike charger..bit slower but works fine on a laid up car, I have 3 of them kicking about so never saw the need to buy a car specific one..no reason why the one you have wouldn't work fine, they're all pretty much very similar tech

 

[3.0Rich]

Got to say it's frustrating that I can't just plug my old Halfords charger in every time I park in the garage.
Plugged it into the Tvr ciggie lighter for 8 years so annoyed about the Z4 in that respect. Plus the battery is stamped 2014 so likely I'll need to change it as a knock-on effect of not simply plugging in every trip. I use the car more than the Tvr so hopefully the battery will keep it's charge ok.
On a different note, I've not yet had the balls to get the back out in 2nd gear unlike Tvr, seems likely the huge tyres plus different power delivery make it more difficult to play.

 

[mr.tourette]

Got to say it's frustrating that I can't just plug my old Halfords charger in every time I park in the garage.
Plugged it into the Tvr ciggie lighter for 8 years so annoyed about the Z4 in that respect. Plus the battery is stamped 2014 so likely I'll need to change it as a knock-on effect of not simply plugging in every trip. I use the car more than the Tvr so hopefully the battery will keep it's charge ok.
On a different note, I've not yet had the balls to get the back out in 2nd gear unlike Tvr, seems likely the huge tyres plus different power delivery make it more difficult to play.

why cant you plug it in.?

 

[Smartbear]

Got to say it's frustrating that I can't just plug my old Halfords charger in every time I park in the garage.
Plugged it into the Tvr ciggie lighter for 8 years so annoyed about the Z4 in that respect. Plus the battery is stamped 2014 so likely I'll need to change it as a knock-on effect of not simply plugging in every trip. I use the car more than the Tvr so hopefully the battery will keep it's charge ok.
On a different note, I've not yet had the balls to get the back out in 2nd gear unlike Tvr, seems likely the huge tyres plus different power delivery make it more difficult to play.

why cant you plug it in.?

The e89 ciggie lighter turns off with the ignition unlike the e85/tvr
Rob

 

[mr.tourette]

Got to say it's frustrating that I can't just plug my old Halfords charger in every time I park in the garage.
Plugged it into the Tvr ciggie lighter for 8 years so annoyed about the Z4 in that respect. Plus the battery is stamped 2014 so likely I'll need to change it as a knock-on effect of not simply plugging in every trip. I use the car more than the Tvr so hopefully the battery will keep it's charge ok.
On a different note, I've not yet had the balls to get the back out in 2nd gear unlike Tvr, seems likely the huge tyres plus different power delivery make it more difficult to play.

why cant you plug it in.?

The e89 ciggie lighter turns off with the ignition unlike the e85/tvr
Rob

I assumed that's what he meant but simple enough to attach a lead to the posts under the bonnet to plug in to?

 

[mcbutler]

I bought a C-Tek clone from Lidl, was about £14, perfect in every way. £60+ on a battery charger oh nooooooo

 

[Scooba_Steve]

As far as I can tell it does exactly the same job as the CTek.

It does fundamentally, but it's only a 1.0-1.2 A charger. What you're paying for on the MXS 5.0 for £69 is faster charging and some slightly different functions (small/AGM/Recon etc.) along with the comfort connect clip.

At the end of the day as long as it provides a monitored charge then it should be fine.

The Ultimate Speed/Lidl ones do look exceptionally similar to CTEK with a 3.8 A output, so very good value. Would be interesting to tear them down and see inside.

 

[Zed Baron]

I had a cheap one I bought from Aldi, it did the job for 5 years. Then I noticed the cables had worn through to the copper fizz fizz so I went and bought a CTek, its been very good with the option of adding an extension cable, handy as I can plug into the sockets at the front of the garage which means I don't have to go up the back of the garage to check it's charging ok

 

[Jembo]

you're paying for on the MXS 5.0 for £69 is faster charging and some slightly different functions (small/AGM/Recon etc.) along with the comfort connect clip.

Exactly

The recon & AMG functions have been invaluable... along with the hardwire kit

 

[JamieZ4C]

Aldi jobby for me too. Third year now. Cheap as chips and it's been perfect

 

[ph001]

One fundamental difference between the lidl and ctek chargers is that any kind of mains blip or dip will terminate the charge on the aldi whereas the ctek restarts automatically. Not really a problem if you use the car every few days but not what you want if storing for weeks at a time.

 

[Cakesbaby]

Does the recon & AMG functions make a big difference over the AA charger?

 

[JamieZ4C]

One fundamental difference between the lidl and ctek chargers is that any kind of mains blip or dip will terminate the charge on the aldi whereas the ctek restarts automatically. Not really a problem if you use the car every few days but not what you want if storing for weeks at a time.

This is true, although I suppose it depends on the stability of the electric supply where you live. For me this scenario has never happened.

Something to consider though.

 

[Jembo]

Does the recon & AMG functions make a big difference over the AA charger?

I have another car which with an AMG battery so was worthwhile for me, but also:
- not using all the cars much in 2020 means was handy to keep them all topped up
- secondly, using a non AMG charger on an AMG battery shortens its life, though not sure visa versa

The recon function desulphates the battery, making it last & hold a strong charge for longer, which for mine that only sees a solar charger over winter feel is essential.

 

[mr.tourette]

Does the recon & AMG functions make a big difference over the AA charger?

I have another car which with an AMG battery so was worthwhile for me, but also:
- not using all the cars much in 2020 means was handy to keep them all topped up
- secondly, using a non AMG charger on an AMG battery shortens its life, though not sure visa versa

The recon function desulphates the battery, making it last & hold a strong charge for longer, which for mine that only sees a solar charger over winter feel is essential.

Not sure what qualifies as an agm charger? all my chargers are quite old motorcycle battery chargers and whilst not advertised as agm specifically when you look through the manual they all say will charge agm batteries

 

[Jembo]

Maybe it’s because a motorcycle battery charger can provide the longer & lower level voltage charging needed for an AGM car battery, though I personally prefer one built with the electronics for the purpose

Here a source of some wisdom on the subject

https://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-resources/blog/three-misconceptions-agm-batteries/