Always seem to charging an assortment of 12v batteries, been thinking of getting a better charger.

Anyone had any experience of CTEK stuff ?

Been thinking along these lines CTEK Multi XS7000 Battery Charger:

Used one at garage, and liked its ability to provide standalone power, and backup power for ensuring no power failure during mapping/diagnostics/etc

i like the idea of that a lot!

Seem to be cheaper direct from manufacture than halfrauds

Cheapest yet: Ebay 140456157755 ...

Edited 30 September, 201015 yr by snow_muncher

Always seem to charging an assortment of 12v batteries, been thinking of getting a better charger.

Anyone had any experience of CTEK stuff ?

Been thinking along these lines CTEK Multi XS7000 Battery Charger:

Used one at garage, and liked its ability to provide standalone power, and backup power for ensuring no power failure during mapping/diagnostics/etc

I have had the smaller one for approx 3 years and am more than happy, good for leaving connected for long periods too

Ive used the halfords one below for about 3 years and its never missed a beat, nice and neat and a reasonable price in my view.

Charger

Have used one for the wife's car for last three years. It is an excellent product.

CTEK units recently won a test in Car Mechanics magazine.

I have two CTEK units and swear by them. I use the large one (can't remember the model) for supplying my car at shows, it's great.

Anyone had any experience of CTEK stuff ?

Been thinking along these lines CTEK Multi XS7000 Battery Charger:

Used one at garage, and liked its ability to provide standalone power, and backup power for ensuring no power failure during mapping/diagnostics/etc

Bought that model in the last year. It does a good job, although it takes a while to fully charge. After 10 to 20 minutes from flat, depending on battery size, sufficient charge will have been provided to start the engine.

A simple charger from say Halfords (We have one) will apply FAR TOO much current when the battery is FLAT or near flat. The old fashioned design of charger simply applies a fixed voltage and eventually the amps reduce as battery develops charge in opposition.

The CTEK first desulphurises the plates, mode automatically extended if battery plates need it. Then it slowly brings up the amperage and voltage in a controlled manner to lay down a really good surface on the plates prior to main charge. When the electronics measured that the stage has completed, it then moves to a constant amperage input. The final stage is to fix the voltage and and the electronics allow ever reducing current to finally fill the battery. My dad gave it to a friend (car snowed in) who had a flat battery. In the freezing cold the friend commented that he has never had a car start with such a fast spin on the starter.

At each stage the in-built computer is looking for faults in battery. You can "Restore" some poor batteries as it has a special "Restore" mode that takes some hours after the battery is fully charged - naturally there is an adjustment for charging below 5°C because it's designed for Scandinavia - unlike cheap chargers.

Rolls Royce, Ferrari and others specialist makes who have show that are rarely used, recommend CTEK. They recommend them because in addition it has a storage function that monitors the decay of the battery (car alarm, computer & clock use current). The CTEK switches in to boost the battery as needed (say daily, weekly or fortnightly depending on alarm current usage.) Naturally, it has an additional connector so that you can reverse away from the charger and it automatically disconnects the wire of the charger. Yes the charger is shower proof - DON'T try that with a cheap charger!!!

CTEK are expensive , but the best we have found, and they have won many awards including AutoExpress. We needed it for initially for a car that was off the road, now it is in reserve and used as and when.

Buy one that can charge your size of battery (small one for small batteries and a large one ... ), you can get them for motorbikes and 24 volt Trucks.

We bought ours from http://www.vertar.com/ctek/ctek-multi-xs-7000/ but it is clear a lot of other suppliers are now in the market.

Edited 2 October, 201015 yr by Jim H

interesting looking product, i've never come across one of those before

CTEK Multi XS7000 Battery Charger: Purchased for £82 from Cs products via flea-bay.

Small, compact and tough, damp proof (very handy for charging batteries still in car with bonnet open), comes with a handy storage bag and a set of croc clamps and ring terminals (for permanent connection to a battery).

Charges surprising quickly. Supply mode works a treat - runs a car with no battery and no working alternator. Way quicker and faster than using a jump pack.

Already recond'ed a 10yr old VARTA battery, which my 'heavy duty workshop' draper charger couldn't.

Excellent bit of kit