[Bungle]

My last charger gave up the ghost and I'm using a cheapo Numax charger for the time being. I'm looking at getting one of these  https://www.halfords.com/motoring/tools/garage-equipment/battery-chargers/ctek-mxs-10-uk-battery-charger-280334.html. It's about £160 at the minute and I'll keep an eye out on the Black Friday deals. Does anyone use a ctek charger and would you recommend one of the cheaper ctek's?

[AuRavelling79]

I've had a ctek for years. About £60 at the time. Probably coming up ten years now.

[Splash & dash]

Yes they are very good Ionic’s used to fit them on there systems

[robbo333]

I have a Ctek charger and it's very good indeed.
Why don't you get a split charge relay fitted, my last one cost me about £120 fitted. Both my old vans had these chargers fitted and they were really good. Originally, I was against a SCR as I don't do many miles, so I thought they would be no good; on some days I would get to my first job and the engine isn't even warm! However, they both worked surprisingly well. I don't have one fitted in my current van (very long story) so I use the Ctek instead.
To sum up, Ctek very good, split charge relay (fitted properly) very good.

[Bungle]

I've had a ctek for years. About £60 at the time. Probably coming up ten years now.

Which model have you got? Halfords sell a cheaper one that I linked to and it has a 5 year warranty. The one I linked to has a 2 year warranty. I'm not sure why 🤷‍♂️

[Bungle]

I have a Ctek charger and it's very good indeed.
Why don't you get a split charge relay fitted, my last one cost me about £120 fitted. Both my old vans had these chargers fitted and they were really good. Originally, I was against a SCR as I don't do many miles, so I thought they would be no good; on some days I would get to my first job and the engine isn't even warm! However, they both worked surprisingly well. I don't have one fitted in my current van (very long story) so I use the Ctek instead.
To sum up, Ctek very good, split charge relay (fitted properly) very good.

I do a lot of miles. My controller has a charging facility integrated in it. It shows CHG when I open the back doors after driving but it doesn't charge efficiently. My van has a braking system that doesn't allow charging, it's regenerative or something. Spruce will know what I mean.

[Mattymarske]

For that amount of money if you fancy a waterproof one for use in a damp van during chilly winter with Bluetooth connectivity you could look at Victron Blue Energy ones. Mine is bulletproof last 3 years. I was weighing up a Ctek one before I got this one and printed off the specs and decided on Victron.

[windowswashed]

The victron bluetooth 10amp charger can be controlled by an app on your phone. It is set to automatically charge at 3 amps so you need to switch to 10amps on the app for a faster charge.

I use a CTEK for the car with a quick connection, very good.

The van has a B2B (battery to battery) box fitted which smart charges at 30amps max and has  facility to trickle charge a second accessory battery.

[Mattymarske]

I have split charge relay as well and it works ok, 7k miles a year approx. Still need to charge with the Victron once a week maybe twice or more on heavy weeks worth of work.


When I sold my Transit Connect I swapped the SCR and Xline system to the Nissan Primastar. Battery under the floor in cabin but still managed a neat cable routing to load space where leisure battery is held in Xtank cut out.

I charge the battery in situ with Victron quick connects attached to the terminals

[Spruce]

I have a Ctek charger and it's very good indeed.
Why don't you get a split charge relay fitted, my last one cost me about £120 fitted. Both my old vans had these chargers fitted and they were really good. Originally, I was against a SCR as I don't do many miles, so I thought they would be no good; on some days I would get to my first job and the engine isn't even warm! However, they both worked surprisingly well. I don't have one fitted in my current van (very long story) so I use the Ctek instead.
To sum up, Ctek very good, split charge relay (fitted properly) very good.

I do a lot of miles. My controller has a charging facility integrated in it. It shows CHG when I open the back doors after driving but it doesn't charge efficiently. My van has a braking system that doesn't allow charging, it's regenerative or something. Spruce will know what I mean.

Once you have regenerative braking, you need a battery 2 battery charger rather than a split charge relay.

With regenerative braking, the ECU reduces the alternator's charge output voltage to around 12v when the starter battery reaches 80%. This remaining 20% of capacity allows for a storage space for when regenerative braking is activated.

The trouble is that while this is waiting for regen to happen, your leisure battery isn't being charged.

A b2b charger will boost the 12v to 14.2v and charge the leisure battery even when the starter battery isn't being charged.

 When regen does kick in, the voltage output is between 15 and 17v, depending on the vehicle. These voltages are too high for a lead acid battery. A b2b charger will throttle back this over voltage, so it remains at 14.2v.

[dd]

For that amount of money if you fancy a waterproof one for use in a damp van during chilly winter with Bluetooth connectivity you could look at Victron Blue Energy ones. Mine is bulletproof last 3 years. I was weighing up a Ctek one before I got this one and printed off the specs and decided on Victron.

I have the same ctek charger and through a bizarre accident it got left in a bucket or water overnight but still works fine. I also once connected it to the battery terminals the wrong way round and it was not damaged. Excellent product all round.

[AuRavelling79]

I've had a ctek for years. About £60 at the time. Probably coming up ten years now.

Which model have you got? Halfords sell a cheaper one that I linked to and it has a 5 year warranty. The one I linked to has a 2 year warranty. I'm not sure why 🤷‍♂️

MX5 5.0

12v 5amp

[Bungle]

I've bought a CTEK MXS 5.0. What mode are people using? I can't seem to select AGM on its own. The nearest I could select was the car icon + AGM. It recharged my leisure battery in about an hour which I'm very happy with. My other chargers have taken hours to recharge it.

[dd]

I use the car icon.

[AuRavelling79]

I use the car icon.

Yes. Me too. Unless I am charging a motorbike sized battery I always use car.

I use the motorbike icon for my old shurflo backpack battery.

[Bungle]

And do you wait until it has reached step 7 for fully charged?

[AuRavelling79]

And do you wait until it has reached step 7 for fully charged?

Step 7 is the first green light, but often it has gone over into step 8 which is maintenance charge.

If it is on 7 then I am happy to use.

[Jonny 87]

Ctek are the best chargers out there.

I’ve always used them and they’ve even brought some batteries back to life that were previously dead as a pancake.