Recommendations for portable battery charger

peter_the_piper

Jumping Jacks. not cheap but very good, some work on mobile phones etc.

neilmcl

Iceweasel wrote: »

They are very good and would probably last 3 times as long as the Lidl/Aldi versions which do the same 'smart charger' things.

Only problem is they cost 5 times as much.

Which goes back to the point raised in post #5. Also, the equivalent CTEK charger to the Lidl/Aldi ones doesn't cost 5 times as much.

forgotmyname

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Jumping Jacks. not cheap but very good, some work on mobile phones etc.

Never had to jump start a mobile phone, don't know anyone called Jumping Jack either so probably don't need one.

Iceweasel

neilmcl wrote: »

Which goes back to the point raised in post #5. Also, the equivalent CTEK charger to the Lidl/Aldi ones doesn't cost 5 times as much.

You are right on both points - but the one you mentioned does cost approx 5 times as much.

motorguy

Iceweasel wrote: »

They are very good and would probably last 3 times as long as the Lidl/Aldi versions which do the same 'smart charger' things.

Only problem is they cost 5 times as much.

Are Lidl / Aldi chargers £6.50 then?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-XS-0-8-12V-1-2A/dp/B004RADNCQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1512382305&sr=8-2&keywords=ctek

Iceweasel

motorguy wrote: »

Are Lidl / Aldi chargers £6.50 then?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-XS-0-8-12V-1-2A/dp/B004RADNCQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1512382305&sr=8-2&keywords=ctek

No it doesn't but I googled the one that was recommended.

CTEK chargers tend to get good reviews, particularly the MXS 5.0.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=CTEK+MXS+5.0+Battery+Charger

and there are even dearer ones than that.

sk240

Another vote for CTEK, they can actually recover poorly batteries, along with prolonging the life of good ones.

if you use it a couple of times a year on a good battery, you will get years more life out of it, easeily recovering the initial investment in the charger.

motorguy

Iceweasel wrote: »

No it doesn't but I googled the one that was recommended.

CTEK chargers tend to get good reviews, particularly the MXS 5.0.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=CTEK+MXS+5.0+Battery+Charger

and there are even dearer ones than that.

I think the point being its wrong to assume a CTEK unit is x5 more expensive.

The more expensive ones are expensive for a reason and offer additional functionality that some people may or may not need. I've the MSX 5.0 as i had specific requirements for a car i kept in storage during the winter months.

But for general requirements i'd prefer the "standard" CTEK unit over some spurious unit from a supermarket, particularly given one can be bought for £30 ish.

motorguy

sk240 wrote: »

Another vote for CTEK, they can actually recover poorly batteries, along with prolonging the life of good ones.

if you use it a couple of times a year on a good battery, you will get years more life out of it, easeily recovering the initial investment in the charger.

+1

At £30 odd, they're great value. The 5.0 is worth the extra if you need the extra capability, but the standard unit is great. :beer:

AdrianC

geek84 wrote: »

Any further suggestions greatly appreciated.

You've had suggestions for a cheap-supermarket-brand that's occasionally available.
You've had suggestions for an extremely good, widely available premium brand - CTek chargers are rebranded by most of the premium car manufacturers.

If neither of them's good enough, what are you after from a recommendation?

FWIW, I have two CTeks - an MXS5.0 and an MXS3.6 - the difference is the maximum charging current, so the amount of time to fully charge a battery. The 5.0 is fitted into my camper van, the 3.6 is for use in the garage. For the chargers with maximum currents below 3.6A, the reconditioning features are missing.