Battery charger recommendations please.

VanMan2007

Wig,

Can I say first of all - "above and beyond!" - awesome replies!

The ctek's do look good value tho:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ctek-CTE-XS3600-Battery-Charger-Function/dp/B000RHWCNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291408653&sr=8-1

Not sure about the gay purple leads tho! Maybe it's a Swedish thing?

callistris

VanMan2007 wrote: »

Thanks Mikey,

I'm liking the look of that 3600. A nice range at good prices, with good reviews!

Can vouch also for the Ctek range as I sell them where I work;)

If funds will stretch I'd go for the the xs7000 as has more functionality than the 3600 its an excellent all round smart charger:D

Plus you can get these accessories which you connect to the battery from ctek which use a traffic light system pre warning you of a low battery;)

Like this https://www.kramp.com/shop/action/itemcatprd_60_-1_10551_409085_141793_618399_Comfort+Indicator++panel which is panel mounted in the car, plus you can charge the battery through it to

Strider590

VanMan2007 wrote: »

I have a Mazda Xedos 2.0 litre V6. I've been running the car for 5-10mins at least during this cold snap, but on a couple of occasions the start has been a bit laboured.

For peace of mind, I'd like to get a battery charger. Is there a best-buy for under £75? Nothing pretty or fancy, just something that gets the job done well. Also, are the charger/starter combo's any good, or a bit mickey mouse?

I have a carport, so could charge the battery in situe from the house with a long extension lead anyway, right?

Thanks guys.

I personally think your battery has seen better days.... Very cheap to buy online, I just got myself a Varta type 065 for £52 delivered. Halfrauds want more than £80 for just a bog standard non-brand 065 battery.

As for chargers, I recently got my hands on a CTEK MXS3600 for £45 and can't fault it...... Seems really well made intelligent maintenance charger which can be left connected to the battery for months at a time when not using the vehicle.

savemoney

I must admit I don't do much driving just taken kids a mile or two around town on Dad taxi and weekly shop. I do every few months do 100 mile all round run. Have done this for 3 years with current car no problems so far, although I am worried what Winter takes out of car.

I do have a charger at home which I borrowed of mil for kids car to charge up. I got a Ford focus but have a Sony cd/usb player in it, dont think it needs a code. I think on some vehicles you need the code and also have to charge battery whilst is disconnected to car, and unscrew the caps on battery and make sure the cells are topped up with distilled water

savemoney

There is a pdf file for that charger if you want to knwo more

http://issuu.com/talkaudio/docs/ctek_xs3600_manual?mode=a_p&wmode=0

and a brochure

http://issuu.com/talkaudio/docs/ctek_xs3600_brochure?mode=a_p&wmode=0

It appears you can charge the battery whilst still in car with that model obviously read the instructions first

Hammyman

VanMan2007 wrote: »

That's the problem, I may not use the car for 3-4 days. I figured 5-10 mins driveway idling or a 10-min blast to the motorway would keep it topped up. The battery is only 2 years old and until the cold weather has been fine. I may be being over cautious, I mean it hasn't failed me yet - tho it probably will now, having said that!

Not a chance. Takes 20 minutes of decent speed running to replace the charge used in a start. Idling produces just about enough current to match that used by the fuel pump and engine management.

Also, batteries use a chemical process and as sucj don't work as well when its cold as they do in normal temperature.

forgotmyname

Replace the battery rather than spend money on a charger, Buy a charger later and use it to keep the battery in
good condition.

My sister bought a jump pack from halfords for nearly £80 when her battery started to play up, I ask why not buy a
new battery she said the cheapest they had was £125 for her car. She could have got one for half the price and less
than the cost of the jump pack.

gilbert_and_sullivan

I use the CTEK 3600 probably once a month in this weather, works very well and no need disconnect battery before charging, try a 24 hour or weekend if poss conditioning charge and see just how quickly the engine turns over in the following weeks.

When looking for battery replacements always check with the main dealer what the best price is they can do for you for the genuine article, Toyota for example's prices are as good as anywhere and you know it will be the correct one.

VanMan2007

Thanks to everyone who replied. :cool:

I've gone for the ctek 3600. Did look at the 7000, but at £82, it's a bit out my range for now. Besides the 3600 gets excellent reviews and should be more than adequate.

I don't think the battery is faulty. After running the car for 5-10 mins, it starts like new. Anyway, it still has 2-years warranty left on it, so if it does prove faulty I'll go back to the supplier.

Once again, great job guys!
:T

savemoney

Am I right in thinking you cant charge a battery in the cold or on a slope like a driveway?

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I use the CTEK 3600 probably once a month in this weather, works very well and no need disconnect battery before charging, try a 24 hour or weekend if poss conditioning charge and see just how quickly the engine turns over in the following weeks.

When looking for battery replacements always check with the main dealer what the best price is they can do for you for the genuine article, Toyota for example's prices are as good as anywhere and you know it will be the correct one.