trickle charging battery - CTEK 5.0

[samZ4M]

Just got one of these as my battery was flat. I'm going to hook it all up tonight, so hopefully I can take the car out this weekend with a neigh on fully charged battery.

I'm wondering if i should do the "RECOND"option on the CTEK 5.0 charger? The manual states the following:

Recond option 15.8V/1.5AUse to return energy to the empty WET and Ca/Ca batteries. Recond your battery once per year and after deep discharge to maximise lifetime and capacity. The Recond program adds STEP 6 to the normal battery program.

STEP 6 RECOND: Choose the Recond program to add the Recond step to the charging process. During the Recond step voltage increases to create controlled gassing in the battery. Gasing mixes the battery acid and gives back energy to the battery.

As my battery has effectively discharged to basically flat, is this a good idea?

 

[Tinker15]

Yes use the RECOND option. The CTEK has recharged batteries for me that were flat and I didn’t think could be saved.

 

[samZ4M]

thanks. Reading it, it makes sense.

An other Q. Do I need to leave it for a extended period of time? I plan on hooking it up tonight, using it Sat or Sun. Going by the graph in the manual it is saying MAX 42 hours to get to the 'float' stage, which seems to be 80% charged and everything else sorted. Seems that'd be late Sat at worst...


https://www.ctek.com/storage/ma/b343d2275859476796101d4a1664e227/66f4b6c2509c4967a5f45491eae8c146/pdf/821EAB855677EBD55817DD0977E78AAA02291FDD/MXS_5.0-manual-UK-EN.pdf

 

[markplant]

Do you know how old the battery is, if really old you might be as well with a new battery as well

 

[samZ4M]

No idea. I was hoping to see how it goes. Even if I get a new battery, I'll still keep it on trickle when not in use over winter. I've used it twice since Christmas, and probably 2 times between oct and Christmas!

The AGM batteries are not cheap, so this was a good way to do it.

 

[Tinker15]

thanks. Reading it, it makes sense.

An other Q. Do I need to leave it for a extended period of time? I plan on hooking it up tonight, using it Sat or Sun. Going by the graph in the manual it is saying MAX 42 hours to get to the 'float' stage, which seems to be 80% charged and everything else sorted. Seems that'd be late Sat at worst...


https://www.ctek.com/storage/ma/b343d2275859476796101d4a1664e227/66f4b6c2509c4967a5f45491eae8c146/pdf/821EAB855677EBD55817DD0977E78AAA02291FDD/MXS_5.0-manual-UK-EN.pdf

From what I remember it took about 48 hours but the battery had no life in it at all. However, it was a smaller battery than that on my E89.

 

[samZ4M]

It went straight onto No. 2. Looking forward to getting it out this weekend!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Great news - have a good drive.

You mention AGM batteries, but as this is in the "M" specific section of the forum do you have/need an AGM battery?

I thought only cars with stop/start had AGM batteries.

 

[samZ4M]

I thought the M’s had AGM batteries?

 

[Pures3]

Yeah AGM battery, make sure you select the right charge option on the ctek. I had to get a new battery after putting it on the wrong setting for trickle charge.

 

[samZ4M]

It’s on ‘AGM’ and ‘RECON’. Was at stage 3 when I last check. Fingers crossed for a good battery come sat!

 

[samZ4M]

Stage 4 this morning, my understanding is up to 80% charge. Some conditioning to go though. Should’ve bough this ages ago! Just had to pay £70 on a new battery for my 182, this probably would have fixed it!

 

[Tinker15]

You could do with getting past stage 6 but at a pinch you should be able to use the battery at stage 4. It rescued a battery on one of our cars which is still going strong some 12 months later. It’s a good bit of kit the CTEK.

 

[samZ4M]

I won't be near the car (in a state to drive at least!) until noon tomorrow. So hopefully it'll get a bit further along.

Last time I took it out, I had to jump it, then a 50 minute drive, it barely started (3rd time) when I left to come home. Been hesitant to take it out since.

 

[samZ4M]

She’s on 7 already, hopefully take her for a blast tomorrow.

 

[XMetal]

OP - Did you consult with CTEK about reconditioning an AGM? All the documentation (included what you've quoted in your original post) that I've read said that RECOND mode should only be used on "wet" or "flooded" batteries. It also mentioned water loss when RECOND is used. Is the Gel in AGM considered "wet"? There is no water in an AGM. Most AGM that I have came across does not like to see a charging voltage above 14.4V, so how safe is it to recondition it at 15.7V?

 

[samZ4M]

there is a warning, can’t remember what it said off the top of my head. But the battery seems fine. Too late now anyway!

 

[samZ4M]

I drove the car on sat on and off for a few hours, all seemed fine. Went to use it this morning and my CTEK indicator was flashing orange and the car barely started. It the started once more to get home. Plugged the charger in and it only went to 3, now, 4 hours later, it’s back to 7.

Would this be a drain somewhere? Or buggered battery?

 

[Smartbear]

I drove the car on sat on and off for a few hours, all seemed fine. Went to use it this morning and my CTEK indicator was flashing orange and the car barely started. It the started once more to get home. Plugged the charger in and it only went to 3, now, 4 hours later, it’s back to 7.

Would this be a drain somewhere? Or buggered battery?

How old is your battery Sam? :?
Rob

 

[samZ4M]

I’ve had the car for almost 4 years, and not replaced it. So older than that!