Trickle Charger

[AlanS]

Hi Guys

Looking for a trickle charger to keep the ISF Battery in top condition, interested in the CTEK MXS 5.0 but just isn't sure if it's man enough for the job, any recommendations.

[Muddywheels]

I have an mxs 5 and used it to previously to maintain Battery on 2 Range Rover Sports and a discovery sport without problems 

Basically as i understand it the 5 is small but ideal for long periods of use

Planning to use it on my rc now because of flat Battery yesterday after about a week parked up

[Guest]

I find NOCO chargers to be excellent. Usually weatherproof too. 

[NemesisUK]

17 minutes ago, Muddywheels said:

I have an mxs 5 and used it to previously to maintain battery on 2 Range Rover Sports and a discovery sport without problems 

Basically as i understand it the 5 is small but ideal for long periods of use

Planning to use it on my rc now because of flat battery yesterday after about a week parked up

Your new RC has suffered a flat Battery after only a week parked? Surely this must be because of an unusual drain somewhere? The 12v Battery only monitors the entry system and powers up the computers for the hybrid traction Battery to take over all the running functions.

Are you going to get this looked into? I was hoping, ney, expecting my RC to happily stand for many days without issue. unlike my CLS55 which barely survived 3 days... (and why I also have an MXS5, very good kit)

[Muddywheels]

I expected it would be ok for many weeks so will definitely be getting dealer to check battery 

I have a dashcam with parking record but it's supposed to shut down if Battery low and it's not caused flat Battery before on any other vehicle 

Now I'm taking advantage of preheated Mitsy with heated steering wheel etc I'm planning to attach ctek anyway to rc 

I should add only used ctek on RRS and DS because I did a lot of short trips which meant auto stop/start function only worked if I kept Battery maintained - same for on-board tv and timed climate

[Defratos]

ok Now this unit looks interesting and it gave me a thought. 

Firstly I don't mean to thread jack here but wanted to ask will the below setup work with this charging unit....The main reason being I do not have access to a wall power plug where I park my car so would I be able to put a standalone car Battery on the ground next to the car and have the below setup running?

 

Please don't laugh at my illustration, its the easiest way I could find to explain what I'm trying to do 

 

[NemesisUK]

My first thoughts are no. You are basically using a 12v Battery to charge another 12v Battery through a convertor that will have losses. At best the batteries will equalise? 

The Ctek needs an "unlimited" electrical supply to push energy into the depleted Battery. 

[Texas]

Spookily this topic has come up on a Ford forum I subscribe to...

see post #10 here,

http://www.talkford.com/community/topic/368234-battery-life/

and same retort "Noooooo"  In post #11..

cheers Paul m.

[Arqum]

I've been using the ctek 5.0 for a very long time on my ISF. No issues at all.

[AlanS]

Ctek MXS 5.0 ordered and will arrive tomorrow evening, thanks! 

[Muddywheels]

Connected mine this morning and checked it before tea and it's showing full charge now after yesterdays AA jump start 

I've got some nuts today and going to connect comfort lead tomorrow so it will be easy to use when parked

Plan to get Battery checked by dealer when I've time 

[AlanS]

Ctek 5.0 arrived thanks amazon for the lightning delivery!

Just not sure what charge mode to use on a perfectly healthy Battery AGM or Recon?

[Muddywheels]

On mine I have always used car setting (2nd from left) but at moment using snowflake setting due to low temp (3rd from left/AGM on new model) 

Never used recon

[Defratos]

Thanks for the clarifications

[Arqum]

I only use recon once a year before winter kicks in.

[Muddywheels]

Quick search on net lots of warnings not to use recond on AGM batteries or it will fry them 

[Arqum]

We don't have AGM batteries in the ISF

[Muddywheels]

I have rc300h so wasn't sure - AGM batteries are common in motorbikes and modern vehicles with stop-start engines 

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm

[Muddywheels]

Some useful information on smart chargers here http://speed.academy/how-to-maintain-car-batteries-ctek/