Which Charger to buy
08-23-2018, 04:17 PM
#1
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Which Charger to buy
Trying to decide between CTEK 3300 and 7002 charger. I have the Optima Red Top Battery. Any input from those who use either of these chargers would be appreciated.
Thsnks.
Thsnks.
08-23-2018, 04:33 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
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I have both a 3300 and a MUS 4.3....I used the 3300 on a car I sold recently, but I like the 4.3 better.
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Golfingbob (08-23-2018)
08-23-2018, 09:50 PM
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It’s not one of the ones you mentioned, but when I used a Red Top in my car I had a Deltran Battery Tender Plus hooked up to the battery when the car was in the garage. Always worked perfect for me. The CTEK products are very good too from what I have read.
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Golfingbob (08-23-2018)
08-23-2018, 11:48 PM
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another vote for Battery Tender Plus. 3 years and going strong here.
08-24-2018, 07:10 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
I have two battery tender plus's. One 12 years and the other 5 yrs using both whenever the cars sit for any length of time. Never a problem
08-24-2018, 09:55 AM
#6
Safety Car
I also like the 4.3 better than the 3300, the 4.3 remembers the last setting if the power goes off or it's turned off and it has more charging programs with leds to show charging progress.
08-24-2018, 10:51 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
You should definitely check out NOCO chargers too. I'm using several of their products like a battery charger, solar panels, jump starter, battery back ups, etc. Most of their products are cross compatible so you can plug a solar panel into the charger to keep your batter maintained or charge the battery through the OBD2 port. Lots of options and very high quality products. 
Steve
Steve
08-24-2018, 11:59 AM
#8
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Thread Starter
Just added the Optima 400 to the list. Anyone use this and how does it compare to the CTEK 4.3. Also does it have any issues that would effect the electronics of the car if left plugged in for a month?
08-24-2018, 12:56 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
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I can't speak to the Optima charger, though I looked at it briefly. The CTEK 4.3 stops charging when the battery is at full charge, but it does still keep the battery from "sulpherating" (new word).
08-24-2018, 03:45 PM
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08-24-2018, 06:03 PM
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08-24-2018, 07:26 PM
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08-24-2018, 08:08 PM
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08-25-2018, 04:19 PM
#18
Let’s look at it a little differently!
in stead of which one to buy how about which ones to stay away from? I have noticed over the last 3 weeks of being a c-5 owner and I have a red top battery, my buddy told me they need a special battery! I own a bunch of battery tenders for all of my other cars and bikes! So what gives?
Thanks cruzbox
Thanks cruzbox
08-25-2018, 07:15 PM
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Steve
08-25-2018, 08:19 PM
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I chose the Optima 400 over the others because I thought it had a little more capability than some and when compared to other chargers like the CTEK 4.3 the cost is basically the same.
I liked that the Optima would analyze the battery condition when first connected and then begin the charging based upon the level of discharge found in the analysis. The Optima also seemed to be able to charge batteries almost completely discharged compared to some chargers that couldn’t recharge a battery if it was over 50% depleted.
And, like some of the others, the Optima would desulfate the battery. That sounded so cool I had to go ahead and purchase the Optima 400.
I liked that the Optima would analyze the battery condition when first connected and then begin the charging based upon the level of discharge found in the analysis. The Optima also seemed to be able to charge batteries almost completely discharged compared to some chargers that couldn’t recharge a battery if it was over 50% depleted.
And, like some of the others, the Optima would desulfate the battery. That sounded so cool I had to go ahead and purchase the Optima 400.