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Alternative To CTEK Conditioner

Chrishazle

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
5,823
Location
Nr Ashford, Kent
Car
2008 S204 C220CDI Elegance Estate Auto, 2008 R171 facelift SLK280 Auto.
I've used one of these for as long as I can remember, even dropped it on the concrete floor and cracked the case, but it still works perfectly! Probably had mine for 20 years, and am pleasantly surprised to find it still available, UK supplier, £40+P&P is cheaper than most/all CTEK's!
12V Automatic Battery Conditioner | Airflow UK
 
If it's a 20yr old design, I'd be worried that the control and ripple current isn't tight enough not to upset the cars systems.
Fine if one only charges the battery once disconnected/removed from the car.
 
Guess I'm about to find out! Until this afternoon I've only used it on my 968's, which being mid 1990's cars do not have any where as much electronics as 2008 MB's - although they do have an OBD port, ECU and TCU, the conditioner never caused any problem with them but did enhance battery life. Anyway, this afternoon I connected it to the battery terminals on the SLK, which I won't be using until Sunday. It's a bit awkward on the SLK as the battery hides under a big plastic thing (air inlet for the AC I think), so I'm wondering if it would work OK connected to the emergency +ve and top of the suspension.
 
On a lot of newer cars they suggest attaching the charger to a provided positive terminal plus earth. Can’t see that being any problem on yours.
 
Try Lidl good reviews tested on you tube., £13 I believe.
?
 
Amazing ---always 2 camps.

1) You get what you pay for..
2) Cheaper is just as good..

However I do live in Yorkshire where they invented copper wire:)
 
If it's a 20yr old design, I'd be worried that the control and ripple current isn't tight enough not to upset the cars systems.
Fine if one only charges the battery once disconnected/removed from the car.

Yes - tested algorithms built into the electronics (firmware) to work with modern batteries. AGM is very different with the TLC it needs compared to the old lead-acid batteries (same chemistry but different behaviour).

Flying RC Aircraft, we used many different battery types...Pb, NiCd, NiMh, LiPo, LiFe etc etc and a good charger had a different programme for each type and size.......a battery is not a battery........as we knew them 20+ years ago.
 
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The Lidl chargers come with 2 reviews - one camp think they're fantastic and as good as ...., the other camp says they pack up after 3 years!

I'll try connecting to the emergency +ve tomorrow and see what the conditioner thinks of it! Connected to the battery, I can already see that it's doing it's job, in the space of a couple of hours 4 reds and 1 very dim green became 4 reds and 2 greens, one more green and it's fully charged!
 
The Lidl chargers come with 2 reviews - one camp think they're fantastic and as good as ...., the other camp says they pack up after 3 years!

I'll try connecting to the emergency +ve tomorrow and see what the conditioner thinks of it! Connected to the battery, I can already see that it's doing it's job, in the space of a couple of hours 4 reds and 1 very dim green became 4 reds and 2 greens, one more green and it's fully charged!

Brings to mind all those tumbledryer fires.
 
You can read the same about CTEK. Some are great and last for years, some pack up just outside warranty. And the odd one catches fire.
 
You can read the same about CTEK. Some are great and last for years, some pack up just outside warranty. And the odd one catches fire.
Correlation does not imply causation. Stats 101.
 
Seen good reports on MBOA for the Maypole, I just wanted to flag an alternative to CTEK and my excellent experience with my conditioner! We've seen many threads on here about conditioners, standard response is CTEK but they are expensive - there are alternatives!!:D:D
 
i have a Ctek on my Porsche, but also an Aldi equivalent that does equally as well.
 
FWIW if you buy an official MB branded battery charger from a Mercedes dealer it's actually a Ctec charger.

Ctec are also popular with veteran/vintage owners as well as Ferrari, Lamborghini and other occasional use cars. Also popular in marine applications where a flat battery may be rather more problematic than your car not starting...
 
The Lidl chargers come with 2 reviews - one camp think they're fantastic and as good as ...., the other camp says they pack up after 3 years!

I'll try connecting to the emergency +ve tomorrow and see what the conditioner thinks of it! Connected to the battery, I can already see that it's doing it's job, in the space of a couple of hours 4 reds and 1 very dim green became 4 reds and 2 greens, one more green and it's fully charged!
Not sure on your car , but on mine the inlet box for the cabin fan inlet is in the same place completely covering the battery , but is only held on with two pop off clamps. Takes second to remove to gain full access to the battery.
 
The Lidl chargers come with 2 reviews - one camp think they're fantastic and as good as ...., the other camp says they pack up after 3 years!

I'll try connecting to the emergency +ve tomorrow and see what the conditioner thinks of it! Connected to the battery, I can already see that it's doing it's job, in the space of a couple of hours 4 reds and 1 very dim green became 4 reds and 2 greens, one more green and it's fully charged!
If the Lidl one works but packs up after 3 years that works out at £4.33 a year...not bad ! I bought an OBD scanner from there a few months ago because I only want to use my iCarsoft on my car and other MB cars. The Lidl scanner has worked fine on a bunch of my mates cars, for basic stuff it is OK. The cable is annoyingly short though, this is a trend you see on many budget electrical goods from angle grinders to steam irons, short cables...they have to build them down to a price.
 
I've had a official Porsche one for the 911, packed up after 14 months, just the luck of the draw.

At around £13 if it lasts for 3 years the the Aldi charge easily pays for itself.
 
My conditioner is about 20 years old, still working well, currently £2pa. I'm convinced that using a conditioner enhances battery life, as the battery on my 968 coupe was 10 1/2 years old when I sold the car, and still going strong. Not so good news today though, the SLK battery is still not showing the top green light so I'll have to get the battery tested at some time - and I've not moved the cables to the emergency +ve!
 
That’s where a recondition mode can be handy.
 

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