CTEK Battery Charger
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Hershey PA
CTEK Battery Charger
Dead Battery...need a very good trickle charger. I'm told about this CTEK battery charger...Do you guys support this, and is it as good as they claim? And, is it idiot-proof? 
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...rycharger.html
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...rycharger.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I don't know anything about it, it certainly sounds good.
Don't buy any trickle chargers, they are out dated and bad for batteries. Buy a Battery Maintainer. It varies charge and turns off entirely when battery is charged.
I use an $18 Black and Decker battery maintainer from Wallmart. It has 1 amp (for AGM batteries) and 2 amp cycles. I know it varies according to temperature and charge. It did go bad once, but manufactor replaced it with no hassle. It works for me !
I have another Sears automatic 10 amp charger, I use this to quickly charge any "dead" or low batteries. It may start out at 10 amps but quickly goes to 5-7 amps, takes 3-5 hours to fully charge a "dead" battery, ends at 1-2 amps.
Don't buy any trickle chargers, they are out dated and bad for batteries. Buy a Battery Maintainer. It varies charge and turns off entirely when battery is charged.
I use an $18 Black and Decker battery maintainer from Wallmart. It has 1 amp (for AGM batteries) and 2 amp cycles. I know it varies according to temperature and charge. It did go bad once, but manufactor replaced it with no hassle. It works for me !
I have another Sears automatic 10 amp charger, I use this to quickly charge any "dead" or low batteries. It may start out at 10 amps but quickly goes to 5-7 amps, takes 3-5 hours to fully charge a "dead" battery, ends at 1-2 amps.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Mar 1, 2007 at 08:11 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 1
From: TAMPA BAY FL.
ctek is best one In my opinion. It's not just a charger. it cycles on and off as needed.
1. Desulphation
Runs a complete charge cycle within a fraction of a second. The cycle repeats during the whole desulphation phase. Every cycle recovers some lead sulphate into useful material.
2. Bulk
Charging where 80% of the energy is returned. The charger delivers a constant current until the battery voltage has reached the set level.
3. Absorption
Final part of the charge up to 100%. The battery voltage is kept constant at the set level, during which time the current drops gradually.
4. Pulse
Maintenance charging. The state of charge varies between 95% and 100%. A pulse is sent out to the battery if the voltage drops. This keeps the battery in trim when not in use. The charger can be connected for months at a time.
Using the MULTI US 3300 gives your battery an optimum service life and operational reliability.
1. Desulphation
Runs a complete charge cycle within a fraction of a second. The cycle repeats during the whole desulphation phase. Every cycle recovers some lead sulphate into useful material.
2. Bulk
Charging where 80% of the energy is returned. The charger delivers a constant current until the battery voltage has reached the set level.
3. Absorption
Final part of the charge up to 100%. The battery voltage is kept constant at the set level, during which time the current drops gradually.
4. Pulse
Maintenance charging. The state of charge varies between 95% and 100%. A pulse is sent out to the battery if the voltage drops. This keeps the battery in trim when not in use. The charger can be connected for months at a time.
Using the MULTI US 3300 gives your battery an optimum service life and operational reliability.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
I've got the CTEK battery charger. Only had it a couple of months now. So far I'm very pleased with it. Using it through the winter months, as I don't drive it much then. 
Started right up, the couple of times that I've taken it out for a ride on a sunny day.
Started right up, the couple of times that I've taken it out for a ride on a sunny day.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Houston TX
Take it from a rocket scientist, Battery Tender Plus from Deltran http://www.batterytender.com/ $60 It works using 3 different charging phases which I don't understand but I am on year 7 of my garage queen's battery whereas I was normally required to buy a new battery every 2 to 3 years having never driven much more than a few miles each year. I highly recommend it so much that I now have a second one hooked up to my lawn tractor battery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Take it from a rocket scientist, Battery Tender Plus from Deltran http://www.batterytender.com/ $60 It works using 3 different charging phases which I don't understand but I am on year 7 of my garage queen's battery whereas I was normally required to buy a new battery every 2 to 3 years having never driven much more than a few miles each year. I highly recommend it so much that I now have a second one hooked up to my lawn tractor battery.
I resemble that remark, since I am also a Rocket Scientist. (Mechanical Engineer degree, retired government rocket scientist. Aircraft Ejection Seats (all services), 2.75-inch rockets, 5-inch rockets, and JATO/RATO Rockets. Also Naval guns, torpedoes and warheads. 33 years of designing, building, and servicing explosive components (and getting to blow things up, what a job!). Now work part time as a consultant to a rocket motor development program.)
And just like NASA, you spend too much $$$$ on things ! (just good natured kidding) The $18 Black and Decker Battery Tender from Wallmart will do just fine.
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