Ctek Charger Question
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Chicago Illinois
Ctek Charger Question
I purchased a Ctek MXS 5.0 battery tender to keep my battery topped up while the car is in winter storage. Upon reading the instruction booklet and watching a few videos online from Ctek, the instructions state that if the battery is removed from the vehicle then simply connect the positive and negative cables to the corresponding battery terminal. However, if the battery is still connected in the vehicle, place the positive cable to the positive battery terminal, but connect the negative cable to a suitable ground point on the vehicle? Why do they recommend not connecting to the negative terminal if the battery is still connected?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
I guess they have it all figured out.
I've been using battery maintainers for many years on all kinds of equipment and I have always connected right to the terminals.
I don't see what difference it makes as long as you have a good connection.
If it was me I would connect it right to the terminals and walk away.
Good luck!
I've been using battery maintainers for many years on all kinds of equipment and I have always connected right to the terminals.
I don't see what difference it makes as long as you have a good connection.
If it was me I would connect it right to the terminals and walk away.
Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 168
Likes: 89
From: Northwest Nevada
I am also using a Ctek on the Optima red top installed in my car (for periodic winter hibernation). I recall seeing the same thing in the instructions and was somewhat baffled by it...not sure why it would matter. I have attached it to the negative terminal before...car hasn't blow apart, battery melted, electronics fried, etc...yet.
The work-around could be to use the C5's chassis ground point that is located in-board next to / just below where the battery sits. It looks like a tall threaded stud.
A permanent set-up could be to use a Ctek pigtail connected to the secondary positive terminal (engine compartment fuse box) and the aforementioned chassis ground point.
The work-around could be to use the C5's chassis ground point that is located in-board next to / just below where the battery sits. It looks like a tall threaded stud.
A permanent set-up could be to use a Ctek pigtail connected to the secondary positive terminal (engine compartment fuse box) and the aforementioned chassis ground point.
Last edited by M.Y.02Z06; Feb 9, 2020 at 06:41 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I will answer this for you..
Batteries build up explosive hydrogen gas, that's why they are vented in a Corvette.. not all batteries are vented out of the car.. the idea of connecting the negative term away from the battery is just some insurance that a spark will not be too close to the source, as would be if connected to the neg term.and cause an explosion.. Ive seen it happen, and its ugly... the battery blows apart acid everywhere and sometime a fire.
Its the reason.. and its credible... but rarely done...
Hope this helps..// IM a wealth of useless knowledge and not just another pretty face.
Bill aka ET
Batteries build up explosive hydrogen gas, that's why they are vented in a Corvette.. not all batteries are vented out of the car.. the idea of connecting the negative term away from the battery is just some insurance that a spark will not be too close to the source, as would be if connected to the neg term.and cause an explosion.. Ive seen it happen, and its ugly... the battery blows apart acid everywhere and sometime a fire.
Its the reason.. and its credible... but rarely done...
Hope this helps..// IM a wealth of useless knowledge and not just another pretty face.
Bill aka ET
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Just offering the reason... for the warning . years ago batteries had fill caps, visible electrolyte, and vents.. if you had a bad voltage regulator the electrolyte in the battery could boil leaving a noticeable aroma, this is very explosive and caused many explosions. a bad regulator would cause a battery malfunction and an ensuing jump would be initiated and the potential for an explosion led to this proceedure.
Bill aka ET
Bill aka ET
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
I have seen the after effects of an exploded battery and it's not pretty. However, if you follow one simple rule the chances of a battery exploding in your face is not good.
The rule is NEVER CONNECT OR DISCONNECT THE CHARGER TO OR FROM THE BATTERY IF IT IS PLUGGED IN!
Always hook up the charger or maintainer before you plug it in the wall away from the battery.
The rule is NEVER CONNECT OR DISCONNECT THE CHARGER TO OR FROM THE BATTERY IF IT IS PLUGGED IN!
Always hook up the charger or maintainer before you plug it in the wall away from the battery.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
The Battery, itself has a charge. even if you are just putting it on a tender...so the idea of a spark occurring from the charger only is NOT correct... even if the charger is not hooked up, a spark from the battery itself connecting it to an unplugged charger/tender )can cause this explosion. If you want to be safe, ( especially if you need a jump out on the road ), always connect the positive to the battery first but connect the negative to a grounding point away from the battery. For those using the cigarette plug adapter, there is no issue.
Bill aka ET
Bill aka ET
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Troy TX
Question...if you have one of the close topped batteries, the areas is well ventilated, can the explosion still happen? I remember the old style batteries and it could happen more frequently with those.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
No the sky is not falling.,..
Bill aka ET
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Batteries today can be defective, Some crack, leak etc... if you have a defective battery because an internal short ( and you dont know it ) and creates a crack or a leak and are stuck some where looking for a jump, this is where you could get into trouble in 2020.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 904
Likes: 296
From: Sacramento, California
ET's explanation above is also why jumper cables are supposed to be hooked up with the neg cables clamped to a ground source in each vehicle and not directly to the neg terminals. It's basically to prevent sparks which could cause an explosion.
Steve
Steve