I would buy immediately if I didn't already have one. Solid car battery charger, and under $100 with free shipping.
Has been a while since this product was under $100 at this price.
Specifications
Brand: CTEK
Type: 8 Step fully automatic
Power: 5A max
Unit Weight: 1.9kg
Operating Temp: -20dC to +50dC
Output: 5A
Voltage: Voltage: AC 220-240VAC, 50-60Hz
yes this will trickle once the battery is charged
Also has a small battery mode. 0.5 amp IIRC
Does any know the max battery capacity it will charge e.g 200ah deep cycle?
spec says Battery capacity 1.2–160Ah
It will charge any capacity, it will just take longer. I've used a 1.6A charger on 800CCA batteries many times without issues.
General rule is 10% of the capacity. So for a 200ah battery, use a 20amp charger.
Hope this helps.
Be very aware when buying battery chargers as there are 3 types of batteries which require different charging strategies - this one looks like it only does lead acid (which are becoming rarer).
Smaller batteries are more likely to be Gel ones, and new car batteries are Calcium, not lead acid
Calcium batteries are lead.
But they are different to Lead Acid, and get charged at a different rate to a wet flooded type (normal old style lead acid)
this does all including agm
Doesn't do Lithium though, so not quite "all"
So… do I buy or not? Haha
Yes. This does car and motorcycle. The 8 stage charge is good and ctkek are a quality charger.
This is true. I own one and use it on both my car and motorcycle.
The batteries on both have died from infrequent use in the past and I chucked them on the deep charge cycle for a day or two and they've been fine (as long as I drive/ride them).
LOL thanks for that I need it
A Lead acid charger can charge either but they all do have different stages of charging.
I'd say most if not all new car batteries are calcium now.
I bought a repco branded 7 stage charger that has the 3 options they normal have them for 40 to 50% off regularly in their catalogue
Had been able to charge dead ones that other chargers haven't been able to bring back
Wet, AGM or Gel as you stated are lead-acid. Even the dry cells are lead acid.
Only batteries that would not work with that charger are Lithium battery and ones on Hybrids which use Nickel Metal Hydride.
These things are amazing, my car battery would die once a yr cause I barely drive it, but this saves it.
I wonder how many more times I should charge it before I actually buy a new one…
Can you explain how you doing this to prolong your car battery life?
When my car dosnt turn on anymore… Charge it lol.
Take the battery out and charge it overnight in the garage, you also got a legitimate excuse to take the day off work etc.
It dosnt turn on maybe once every 10ish months for me, so maybe I'll buy a new one if it dies in 3momths or charge it every 6months.
But if you park in the garage… You don't even have to take the battery out :(
For camping I use an old decommissioned 100ah battery that I trickle charge with 150w solar panels out and about, but I just use one of these to charge at home. Other than being twice the amperage, can someone explain to an electrically challenged Hinee the advantages of this device? The marketing fluff implies this is good for longevity, but to me as long as I keep it topped up every now and then the input should be much of a muchness?
Basically, this has more charging modes but honestly, for a camping setup, don't even bother.. This may top it up slightly more but it's negligible.
I keep my 2 134Ah batteries charging from a 100w on the shed roof 24/7 until I take the box away camping.
What are you asking us to compare, if not the specs? CTEK are a great brand, and all their products are good.. But that particular one only does 0.8 amps, and is really only made for small batteries or trickle charging (maintaining) larger ones.
If you're not comparing specs, it's as simple as the 5A will charge a battery faster than the 0.8A.
Thanks guys, 0.8A would be real pain for me.
Personally, I’d spend the extra and go for the MXS 5.0. It’s a great all round charger. Have used it on everything from jetskis and motorbikes to 4x4s. I paid a little more than this but it’s paid for itself so I’m too fussed. Though I have to admit when I saw this price I was tempted to buy another lol.
I've been using three CTEK chargers for more than a decade, and they're a quality product. Could not recommend them more highly.
Hi All.
How difficult (or easy) will it be to install this unit in my car (Ford Everest).
I run 2 linked Waeco 36 ahm portable batteries as there's no place to install a secondary in my car.
You don't want this, you need a D250S or another dc to dc charger and run it directly to the battery terminals.
Those 36ah are pretty small, you'd be better getting a 100/120ah and putting it in a battery box, should last you a couple days on a <60L fridge if you don't leave it in the sun all day.
This doesn't really get installed in your car.. It has alligator clips for the battery and plugs into the wall.I don't believe the other terminals that are included would fit on one of those Waeco fridge batteries without some additional hardware (and I wouldn't do it that way anyway). Just use the alligator clips when needed and then remove them.
Great deal!!!
I was only just last night looking at a saved page I had to buy one of these for $116.
You just saved me $20! ;)
pretty sure this is (way) better than the one sold in Aldi, but for most household, the Aldi one suffices and is at much cheaper.
I have the XS 0.8, great utility to have. I charge my weekend car once every month, never missed a beat in terms of battery. The MXS 5.0 is even better, more advanced and faster (5.0A max output). Price also doubles tho.
Purchased.
Also get a bonus gift through a text message btw.
Got the gimic of a card tool wallet thing
Hey guys,
Is it normally recommended to recondition AGM batteries? I've read some posts saying that it's not…
I also noticed that recondition mode is 15.8V but in my cars user manual it says max charge rate is 14.8V - would that mean that I would have to disconnect the battery if I were to use this mode?
Cheers!
Same price as my last post - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/377472 - free delivery could be handy though… is a solid unit imo. These are handy - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CTEK-Battery-Charger-Quick-Conne…
What’s the difference between these and the supplied?
larger eyelet,but more so the convenience. I have them on boat, 2 cars, motorbike & camper trailer - just move charger around & basically plug & charge where needed.
It say "free postage" but I can only get the 20% discount, not the free postage. Am I doing something wrong or just living somewhere wrong (WA)?
Maybe, as it's free standard postage.
Could depend on locality too though. What post code?
6000
I'm in the same boat. It's trying to charge me $96 in postage. postcode 0820 (NT)
Thanks, OP. Just bought one to replace my Aldi charger. I could never quite trust that thing because it gives me inconsistent voltage readings, although it has given me a long period of service.
me too, I just purchased this to replace my aldi charger. It's worked to charge my cars, but i think there's limits on what it can charge. Good for $30, I've had mine for over 5 years.
So is this charger able to charge completely flat batteries? ie, so flat that it is below 12vdc.
I find smart chargers aren't able to because anything that flat is considered dead and needs replacing.
But have been lucky with SOME (still above 11vdc) in the past where i was able to revive them with a 'dumb charger'
I think the best solution for completely flat batteries is to use a dumb charger to get it going, then switch to the smart charger. I've never seen a msart charger that is smart enough to charge a completely flat battery.
Car batteries are usually recoverable up until they reach 9V or lower. Then their life is significantly reduced
Or do a jump start first and dtive the car around for 5 mins before charging it. I don't assume you want to charge your car battery for hours in a public car park if it is not parked in the garage or car port?
— Yes there is an override mode where it'll start pushing charge even if there is zero voltage in the battery, I have a flat battery that didn't even register on a multimeter and was able to charge it. Whether your battery will actually hold the voltage is a different matter. —
EDIT: Actually my bad, I remember now, I ended up starting it with one of those lithium chargers/starters, then connecting up the CTEK. Double check with the manual then…
Do these things extend the life of batteries? Extend the life of batteries that aren't charged much? Total noob re power…
Have one of these which I use for my car and bike. Good to chuck on when I haven't ridden for a while.
Anyone got a link to a quality 6/12/24 fast charger. I saw one at a Semi Trailer parts supplier for about $399. Would love one cheaper, But needs to be branded. Anyone got knowledge on this stuff.
Excellent charger, been using it for over 2 years. Keeps the battery in good condition
I have been using this for many years, to my knowledge nothing to complain about. The investment was worthwhile as I had nearly 9yrs of life from my original battery… use it every time the car is going to be parked in the garage for more than 3 days or more.
Is this any different to the ones that can be had on Ali Express for $15?
I used one of these as a battery tender on my dirt bike for years. It now keeps the battery in one of my rarely used cars topped up.
Can vouch for these chargers. Got the exact same one and has kept the battery healthy for many years in my barely driven s2000. They are well liked by the Honda enthusiast community and are also the OEM charger for Lamborghini.
Ordered one. Thanks OP
Got one. Been waiting for a bargain good charger to keep my car battery top up when I go on holiday. Thks Op.
I have one of these and love it.
It does have problems if your battery is 100% dead as a dead dogs donga that it won't detect the battery (only had this happen twice), and you need to put it on a dumb charger for a while (few hours) before it will detect.
Switching modes is also painful.
Is this okay as a trickle?