Battery Charger ?

[chic0821]

Search Battery Conditioner on here, you'll also find the £15 Lidl (which I've been using for a few years now on my SLK) and Maypole recommended, both of which are considerably cheaper than CTEK and NOCO.

£12.99 at present. I bought one a couple of years ago, didn't last long. As already stated, does not restart if any power interruption. Also use CTEK Stop/go or what its called, seems basic compared to MXS 5. but works fine. MXS 5 is on for probably 5 months in the winter for my S63. Car starts first time. Had it for years.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I drove to Whitby for fish n chips whilst mine updated . It was all done in around 50 minutes.

Thank you for the replies, on a sligtly related note. I need to update the maps, this is being done by SD Card. The vendor says to have the engine running for the entire update process which could take up to an hour and a half. I am not really wanting to leave my engine running for that amount of time.

I only need the sat nav to be on. Can I leave the ignition on for that amount of time? As in it won't automatically turn off after 30 mins or so?

 

[SpikyMikey]

Coincidentally, main dealers connect the car to a trickle charger whilst performing these updates to ensure that they are not interrupted by systems closing down or the battery becoming flat. Leaving the engine running is an option but not ideal, especially in a workshop (or home garage) or unsecured area (or drive/road).

Likewise decent detailers when carrying out a thorough paint correction: leaving the doors open for an extended period creates a surprisingly large current drain.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

£12.99 at present. I bought one a couple of years ago, didn't last long. As already stated, does not restart if any power interruption. Also use CTEK Stop/go or what its called, seems basic compared to MXS 5. but works fine. MXS 5 is on for probably 5 months in the winter for my S63. Car starts first time. Had it for years.

I have a CTEK Time to Go too - it was actually a gift from CTEK (this is not a paid promotion, honest!) - and it’s the same underneath as the MXS 5.0, but with a simplified display for people who just want to know “how long left”.

 

[ToeKnee]

After two Ctek failures (over about twenty years to be fair) I'm now on a Maypole. Third of the price and just as good if not a bit better.

 

[E55BOF]

I have a very old (must be thirty years at least) Halfords 10 Amp charger, and it still works perfectly. That said, I have a Ctek MX 5.0 which I use if it's just to maintain voltage for updating COMAND and the like, or as a top-up and battery conditioner. If I need a quick charge, I use the Halfords.

 

[Chrishazle]

Oil thread and popcorn anyone??

I've used a battery conditioner for decades - bought my first one in about 1999 when they were not common and the only manufacturer recommended one was from BMW, used that for years on my 968 coupe in her garage at the old house but eventually after being dropped etc it gave up the ghost, so I decided to give the Lidl a go as it's so cheap. OK, in the event of a power cut it does not reset, and it's been a bit temperamental a couple of times, but overall over about 5 years it does the job, and for £15 compared to £50+ for CTEK etc i'm happy. One think I know for sure is that my SLK (which lives in her garage, with power available) will start first time every time as a result, whereas my S204 that lives on the driveway but has a battery condition monitor visible through the tailgate occasionally needs the extension lead and proper charger (SIP smart charger) for a day to make sure she will start. Also I'm convinced using the conditioner also markedly extends battery life (which when you look at the cost of a replacement main battery is a consideration) as the battery in my 968 coipe was over 10 years old when I sold her and was still going strong.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

After two Ctek failures (over about twenty years to be fair) I'm now on a Maypole. Third of the price and just as good if not a bit better.

I’ve had two fail on me two, both at less than 5 years old. Both replaced without question, but not great that they failed to begin with. That said, both were well used, and both used outside, so may be a contributing factor. Not had a problem on those used indoors.

 

[Jay1960]

I did think you needed a certain type of charger for an AGM battery? Which I am guessing the car has as its start/stop. Though will look at the battery tomorrow to be sure

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I did think you needed a certain type of charger for an AGM battery? Which I am guessing the car has as its start/stop. Though will look at the battery tomorrow to be sure

Most modern battery conditioners or chargers will have an AGM setting. There is a subtlety different charging profile between AGM and traditional lead acid. An occasional charge on the opposite settings is unlikely to cause any damage, but not recommended, especially if you will charge regularly or for long period.

Don’t mixup lithium chargers with lead acid (or AgM) batteries and vice versa though.

If you have stop start - or the batter is in the cabin - then it will almost certainly have left the factory with an AGM batter, however some people replace with traditional lead acid to save a few pounds and are then surprised when their battery doesn’t perform well, so double check what is fitted.

 

[ToeKnee]

Most modern battery conditioners or chargers will have an AGM setting. There is a subtlety different charging profile between AGM and traditional lead acid. An occasional charge on the opposite settings is unlikely to cause any damage, but not recommended, especially if you will charge regularly or for long period.

Don’t mixup lithium chargers with lead acid (or AgM) batteries and vice versa though.

If you have stop start - or the batter is in the cabin - then it will almost certainly have left the factory with an AGM batter, however some people replace with traditional lead acid to save a few pounds and are then surprised when their battery doesn’t perform well, so double check what is fitted.

Is this batter for pancakes, or for coating fish for frying Rob?

 

[E55BOF]

Neither, surely; they're the England Test Match openers. What are they doing in the cabin, though?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Is this batter for pancakes, or for coating fish for frying Rob?

Either, just make sure you don’t get the batter in the cabin because freshly mixed batter sticks to car seats like glue.

 

[Jay1960]

Was an AGM batterty, doesn't look like it was factory fitted. Was a Varta Silver Dynamic AGM, tried decyphering the date code but god knows.

Got the ctek in the end, its currently charging the battery. Amazon before 1pm delivery actually turned up at 7.45am this morning!

 

[W1ghty]

I’ve been using Maypole chargers for years , £25 ish on Amazon

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Trickythemerc]

How long does it take to fully charge a maypole ?

 

[W1ghty]

How long does it take to fully charge a maypole ?

No idea buddy , it’s never been flat and non starting . If I haven’t used the car for a week or two I just quick connect the charger for the day as a battery friendly thing to do .

 

[OneForTheRoad]

How long does it take to fully charge a maypole ?

Same time it takes for a marchhare.

 

[ToeKnee]

I’ve been using Maypole chargers for years , £25 ish on Amazon

Pardon our interruption...

That's the one I'm currently using at ohm.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Was an AGM batterty, doesn't look like it was factory fitted. Was a Varta Silver Dynamic AGM, tried decyphering the date code but god knows.

Got the ctek in the end, it’s currently charging the battery. Amazon before 1pm delivery actually turned up at 7.45am this morning!

I love it when a plan comes together!

Don’t be tempted to use RECOND mode in combination with the AGM mode. The CTEK MXS 5.0 will allow you to, but CTEK Technical suggest that you shouldn't as it can damage the glass mats inside an AGM battery.