Charge o mat or ctek mxs5.0

[Buggyjam]

Thinking of getting one for a 987. Read the Porsche one is a rebranded xs3600. I have no idea about these other than the Mxs5.0 sounds newer and looks more technical. Seems same price for either. Is the Porsche one up to scratch?

Just want to plug something in and leave it to keep battery topped up whilst I’m away for a week or two.

[cornershop]

I’ve read good thinks about this one in the MB forum:
https://www.campingandleisure.co.uk/maypole-8-amp-...

I bought a 8amp Ring equivalent of the ctek from Costco for about £35 including vat - looks like a rebadged ctek and the controls are identical

[harryglorydays]

The MXS 5.0 is the newest CTEK charger and has a temperature sensing feature that automatically adjusts the charging rate based on ambient temperature. This is especially important in extreme temperatures as the battery's ability to accept the charge will vary greatly. The MXS 5.0 is the one you want to get.

[EGTE]

Think the CTEK 3.8 is all you need, really (and it's cheaper).

[RSVP911]

harryglorydays said:

The MXS 5.0 is the newest CTEK charger and has a temperature sensing feature that automatically adjusts the charging rate based on ambient temperature. This is especially important in extreme temperatures as the battery's ability to accept the charge will vary greatly. The MXS 5.0 is the one you want to get.

+1 - great charger

[wilwak]

RSVP911 said:

harryglorydays said:

The MXS 5.0 is the newest CTEK charger and has a temperature sensing feature that automatically adjusts the charging rate based on ambient temperature. This is especially important in extreme temperatures as the battery's ability to accept the charge will vary greatly. The MXS 5.0 is the one you want to get.

+1 - great charger

Agreed. I run 5 of them. Perfect performance.

[woodysnr]

Save yourself a bit off money ...the Lidl /Aldi one do the exact same for £14 have 2 running at present had them for 3 years now ..also have the C-Tek on another car and no difference trust me ..the downside they are only on special at certain times of the year . Have given out this recommend to loads of owners who have bought them and all agree great bit of kit.

[IceBoy]

wilwak said:

Agreed. I run 5 of them. Perfect performance.

I second that motion!
Iceboy

[elisered]

+1 understood it also specifically supports agm batteries

[nsm3]

I recently got the MXS 5.0 for my Macan as my old Accumate only had a charge rate of 1.2a and couldn't get the job done. The c-tek is the one to get. I only paid £65, so pretty good vfm imo?

[SRT Hellcat]

CTEK MXS5.0 is the one to get

[SebringMan]

woodysnr said:

Save yourself a bit off money ...the Lidl /Aldi one do the exact same for £14 have 2 running at present had them for 3 years now ..also have the C-Tek on another car and no difference trust me ..the downside they are only on special at certain times of the year . Have given out this recommend to loads of owners who have bought them and all agree great bit of kit.

They don't always stock them however .

IMHO get either the MXS 3.6 or the 5.0. I have the 10 for now and also have a Foxwell BT-100 battery tester.

I was hoping that I'd get back some CCAs with the CTEK but I think it was wishful thinking in hindsight after the tester results!

[Buggyjam]

Thank you all. 5.0 seems to have a lot of votes for it.

[Lox]

Surprised no-one has mentioned the obvious point that if you're only away for a week or two, you can save 100% by not buying one at all. If your battery can't last that long, you have a problem.

[SebringMan]

Lox said:

Surprised no-one has mentioned the obvious point that if you're only away for a week or two, you can save 100% by not buying one at all. If your battery can't last that long, you have a problem.

It also depends on how often he uses it. On a daily it would highlight a problem with the battery yes. For a weekend car I doubt you'd ever fully charge the battery, even by driving for an hour. I know, I've tried it!

You could argue it's another reason to use the car more if you are not fussed about mileage. My 2003 E46 M3 is on 130k with most of those miles done until 2009 (it was on 90k then). It's still on it's original battery amazingly! I suspect my luck will run out with the battery but we shall see.

Even the car brands charge batteries on test vehicles when they are about to be used for a trip, mainly with CTEKs or Nobus chargers from what I have seen.

EDIT : I did give my own examples but I'll save cluttering the thread .

Edited by SebringMan on Thursday 14th December 14:20

Edited by SebringMan on Thursday 14th December 14:20

Edited by SebringMan on Thursday 14th December 14:21

Edited by SebringMan on Thursday 14th December 14:22

[Buggyjam]

Lox said:

Surprised no-one has mentioned the obvious point that if you're only away for a week or two, you can save 100% by not buying one at all. If your battery can't last that long, you have a problem.

I just got the impression I would be best. Read things like “if you’re leaving the car a few weeks”. I honestly don’t know so, I’m open to input. I just knew the car has an electrical draw on it when off.

I work away frequently, mostly it’s 4/5 days away then perhaps 2/3 off.

My thinking was I’d need it for the occasions when I have to be away longer, about 3.5 weeks. So would it not be required for that? I do this about 2-3 times a year. If not needed I won’t bother. Just last thing wanted was coming home bush tired at night to a flat battery

Edited by Buggyjam on Friday 15th December 10:20

[Lox]

You definitely don't want that! Inconvenient and bloody expensive.

I'll defer to the experts, but in my experience of parking outside all year round and only using the car once or twice (max) a week, I've been able to come back to it after a month of zero usage with no problem.

[monty999]

I have just SORN'ed the 996 for the winter months (in a nice warm garage) and was deciding wether or not to get one of these trickle chargers. Would it be sufficient to maybe just put the battery on a normal charger perhaps every week or so to avoid complete discharge?

[anonymous-user]

Mxs5.0 is brilliant, have one on my 997.2 connected directly to the battery.

[lingus75]

monty999 said:

I have just SORN'ed the 996 for the winter months (in a nice warm garage) and was deciding wether or not to get one of these trickle chargers. Would it be sufficient to maybe just put the battery on a normal charger perhaps every week or so to avoid complete discharge?

I use a ctek 5.0 on my 997.1 turbo, and it works really well. The car has just clocked 10k miles and is used through the summer for shows and days out. I think every winter about putting it on SORN (and save about £45 a month on tax...), but I really dont think its a good idea, and also dont think its good for any Porsche.

I am not saying I use mine a lot, clearly. However, even this time of the year you can get those days when the heavy rain has washed most of the salt away, its been dry for a day or two, no more gritters out and then you get perfect conditions. Nice, dense cold air (great for any car, but especially a turbo), crisp morning's, less cars on the road as most people are indoors, and most importantly your car gets a good run out.

I made the mistake of not using a previous car over the winter months and it didnt do it any good. Getting the car up to temperature, circulating the fluids, keeping the rubbers, bushes and mounts free is the best thing you can do over winter. Its a pain to keep washing the thing as you always hit a bit of crap on the road, but its so much better in the long run.

If you are worried about the salt just choose your days wisely!