Car Charger

[Twixer]

Hi folks, can anyone recommend a battery charger for my 2 years old "A"- Class (fairly simple and not too expensive)
Regards, Ron Fraser

 

[Dickster]

Hi Ron

CTEK are pretty much the charger of choice these days and very widely used - I’ve currently got about four of them in use.

 

[Mr. B]

Hi folks, can anyone recommend a battery charger for my 2 years old "A"- Class (fairly simple and not too expensive)
Regards, Ron Fraser

+1 CTEK
I keep my A class on permanent trickle charge when it’s parked in the garage only because I do very few miles but I’ve had no issues to date, apart from the main button stopped working after 9 years but WD40 cured that.

 

[Smart320]

CTECK, have two of them , now about 7 years old , never any problems and they can be left on charge for prolonged periods, 3+ months in my case

 

[W1ghty]

Cheap as chip , I have one , my Dad has one , my neighbour has one

MAYPOLE MP7423 Electronic Car Battery Charger 3.8 A Fast/Trickle/Pulse Modes | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MAYPOLE MP7423 Electronic Car Battery Charger 3.8 A Fast/Trickle/Pulse Modes at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Cheap as chip , I have one , my Dad has one , my neighbour has one

MAYPOLE MP7423 Electronic Car Battery Charger 3.8 A Fast/Trickle/Pulse Modes | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MAYPOLE MP7423 Electronic Car Battery Charger 3.8 A Fast/Trickle/Pulse Modes at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

You could have clubbed together and shared!

 

[W1ghty]

You could have clubbed together and shared!

The cable isn’t long enough

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

CTEK, CTEK.....
Battery conditioners aren't the same as chargers. I use them on my typically 10-20 year old cars to keep batteries fresh and full. I can't remember having had to replace a battery in the last decade. They work and they are genuinely "Eco" in that they reduce waste / replacement.

 

[AW8]

Just one comment......apparently not all chargers/conditioners are kind to AGM batteries.

 

[W1ghty]

I think the op is going to go Maypole when he sees the price difference with the CTEK

 

[keith of kent]

I have an Accumate. Is this suitable for our 2015 E350 and 2017 GLA 200 please?

 

[Deleted member 149005]

I use my old bike Accumate without any problems - 3 years and counting

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Just one comment......apparently not all chargers/conditioners are kind to AGM batteries.

Correct, worth checking.

Most modern generic charger/conditioners can can safely charge traditional lead acid and AGM batteries though, as long as you don’t use the recondioning feature intended for traditional lead acid batteries.

Few generic charger/conditioners can safely charge lithium batteries though.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Correct, worth checking.

Most modern generic charger/conditioners can can safely charge traditional lead acid and AGM batteries though, as long as you don’t use the recondioning feature intended for traditional lead acid batteries.

Few generic charger/conditioners can safely charge lithium batteries though.

My CTEK is 12 years old and has an AGM mode. I recently (double) checked with CTEK and they confirmed that it is safe for my car (in AGM mode).

However, I believe that the OP is looking for something less expensive.....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

My CTEK is 12 years old and has an AGM mode. I recently (double) checked with CTEK and they confirmed that it is safe for my car (in AGM mode).

However, I believe that the OP is looking for something less expensive.....

Correct, it’s the reconditioning mode specifically which is not good for AGM apparently, despite recond mode being available on the AGM setting.

 

[Gazwould]

The Maypole is a phenomenal bit of Ctek like kit but not at the Ctek price .

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Correct, it’s the reconditioning mode specifically which is not good for AGM apparently, despite recond mode being available on the AGM setting.

Mine does not have a reconditioning mode for AGM. Reconditioning is only there for the traditional batteies. It is a 12 year old unit!

It is strange that a manufacturer like CTEK would have a reconditioning mode for AGM if it is harmful to them.

 

[190]

AGM, also known as VRLA Valve Regulated Lead Acid batteries are sealed and will only vent via a safety valve if over charging causes excessive internal pressure. This is the reason why the high voltage or reconditioning settings shouldn't be used as it risks causing the battery to vent which may mean losing some of the electrolyte. Generally the lost electrolyte can't be replaced so repeated overcharging will rapidly shorten the life of the battery. Battery manufactures may provide specific instructions but in general 14.5 - 14.8 volts is the highest charging voltage that should be used with an AGM.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mine does not have a reconditioning mode for AGM. Reconditioning is only there for the traditional batteies. It is a 12 year old unit!

It is strange that a manufacturer like CTEK would have a reconditioning mode for AGM if it is harmful to them.

I agree it is strange. The unit allows you to, the instructions don’t warn you not to, but if contacted then CTEK support will advise you not to. That’s in brand new 2020 MX5.0 units too.

 

[W1ghty]

The Maypole also has an AGM battery Mode