Trickle Charging Over Winter

[jayxx83]

Just picked up a CTEK MXS 5.0 for the car. Just wondered which mode would be best. The car isn't going to be used until March realistically and the manual has numerous options.

Any assistance is much appreciated.

[996TT02]

Disconnect battery and just charge it once every 2 months?

[IBM9000]

Just connect it. It will do the rest itself. It's fully automatic. Leave it on for as long as you like. It will charge up then it will trickle charge it.

It's not like the old fashioned battery chargers that can overcharge.

[jayxx83]

Perfect. Thank you. Ideally it would be disconnected but although it is garaged, wouldn't want to leave without the alarm on etc as you never know what can happen / insurers refusing to payout etc

[LeoSayer]

Use car mode.

Or cold weather mode if it's below 5c the whole time or you're charging an AGM battery.

[Diesel Meister]

I use a CTEK 5.0 and it's utterly brilliant. Select mode, connect, leave well alone. I've used the conditioning function for a battery on its last legs and its still going. Keeps the new battery tip top (my car is used year round but irregularly).

[jimmyslr]

I've used these for years. Attach to battery, leave on all the time, forget. I've used them across dozens of different cars and never had a problem not needed to change a battery. Perfect!

[Fish]

I've used Ctek for years and have an MXS 5.0, just connect it in car mode and leave. mine if fixed to the garage roof so it hangs down and I connect next tot eh drivers door, you don't forget it is plugged in then!

[jayxx83]

Can you plug it to the fuse box?

[Fish]

I tend to bolt directly to the battery and fix the lead so it comes out under the trailing edge of the bonnet near the drivers a piller. You can then put the lid on it and tuck it out of the way when not being used.

[lingus75]

Is it worth using the conditioning mode on a fairly new battery? Haven't used it before so not sure if worth doing?

[Fish]

The Ctek is designed to monitor and condition batteries, it will not harm a new battery just keep it fitter longer. Just plug it in and leave it to do it's thing, it won't hurt a battery like the old fashioned trickle chargers which will sulphate them up.

I basically plug in if I'm not going to drive it for a couple of days..

[Stunters]

Is the CTEK MXS 5.0 Porsche-specific, or will it work with most cars?

I alternate between driving a Cayman S and an M3, tending to do 3 to 4 weeks at a time in one, while the other one is garaged.

[S1MMA]

Stunters said:

Is the CTEK MXS 5.0 Porsche-specific, or will it work with most cars?

I alternate between driving a Cayman S and an M3, tending to do 3 to 4 weeks at a time in one, while the other one is garaged.

It works with ALL car batteries, it doesn't make any difference what brand the car is.

The different model CTEKs have different charge ratings and are suitable for different battery sizes, the MXS 5.0 is fine for most car batteries. Unless you have a small battery like a motorbike battery, or a massive one like in a caravan you will be fine with an MXS 5.0.

[Stunters]

Cheers, many thanks.

[Fish]

S1MMA said:

It works with ALL car batteries, it doesn't make any difference what brand the car is.

The different model CTEKs have different charge ratings and are suitable for different battery sizes, the MXS 5.0 is fine for most car batteries. Unless you have a small battery like a motorbike battery, or a massive one like in a caravan you will be fine with an MXS 5.0.

MXS 5.0 does have a bike mode which takes it down to 1.2ah batteries so it pretty much covers everything.

[ras62]

Make sure the charger actually reaches its final mode i.e long term top up. If it doesn't and it is left charging the battery will be overcharged and ruined.

[Diesel Meister]

ras62 said:

Make sure the charger actually reaches its final mode i.e long term top up. If it doesn't and it is left charging the battery will be overcharged and ruined.

Important to note this (the last green light). It can happen if the connection is bad (clips not attached properly / interruptions in power), or if the battery needs the recondition mode first. One of the foregoing usually sorts this on batteries that are not new in my experience.

Otherwise, it's one of the best investments I've made for a motoring accessory.

[RSVP911]

Does anyone have any experience of charging the Lithium Ion LW battery in a 997.2 RS - can you just leave the CTEK on this as well ?

[Bodo]

Just use a normal charger, and no fancy programs. Normal CTEK should be fine, as the battery has an integrated BMS that balances the voltage of the individual cells.
For overwintering the LiFePo battery, charge it once, exchange for a lead acid battery in the car, and store it above 10°C. Do not connect a charger - the battery will only discharge insignificantly over one winter, and will start the car just fine.