Ctek Battery Charger Dilemma
Discussion
Hey Guys
I go away to Australia for 6 weeks on Thursday and have a bit of a dilemma - I bought a CTEK 3600XS battery charger for my car with the intention of leaving it on the car whilst I was gone.
The problem I have is the charger does not go to maintenance mode after over 3 days on charge which indicates a fault somewhere. I thought it was the charger so I had it replaced but it still doesn't go to full charge mode. I have tested the charger on a different car and it does go to maintenance mode OK. My cars battery is also fine and does not have any problems starting, although if I do not drive the car for about 5 days it does start a little weak.
My dilemma is do I leave the charger on the car and risk an overcharging situation where I could damage the battery or conditioner, or do I just fully charge the battery before I go and hope it is not dead and buried when I get back?
Cheers in advance for any advice.
I go away to Australia for 6 weeks on Thursday and have a bit of a dilemma - I bought a CTEK 3600XS battery charger for my car with the intention of leaving it on the car whilst I was gone.
The problem I have is the charger does not go to maintenance mode after over 3 days on charge which indicates a fault somewhere. I thought it was the charger so I had it replaced but it still doesn't go to full charge mode. I have tested the charger on a different car and it does go to maintenance mode OK. My cars battery is also fine and does not have any problems starting, although if I do not drive the car for about 5 days it does start a little weak.
My dilemma is do I leave the charger on the car and risk an overcharging situation where I could damage the battery or conditioner, or do I just fully charge the battery before I go and hope it is not dead and buried when I get back?
Cheers in advance for any advice.
You don't say how old battery is, is it a good one, has it struggled in the past, where the car is stored etc, which might help with diagnosis. The Ctek should be fine in most circumstances, however you are right to be cautious as electricity, batteries and cars are a potentially potent mix if got wrong. In your circumstances I would, assuming money is no object, get new battery fitted now and fit the trickle charger, not let battery die and fit when I returned. Or, leave the keys with me and I'll make sure the battery never goes flat, I'll even have car detailed before you get back. Deal or No Deal? 
My CTEK was on for 7 weeks in full charge mode (car not used at all) - I've never seen it go into maintenance mode yet and there's no problem with the car.
My battery went flat about 6-7 months ago, AA came out and boosted it and ever since I've had it plugged into the CTEK and it's been registering about 14 amps on the in car gauge.
These chargers can charge the battery from flat.
My battery went flat about 6-7 months ago, AA came out and boosted it and ever since I've had it plugged into the CTEK and it's been registering about 14 amps on the in car gauge.
These chargers can charge the battery from flat.
I used a Porsche charger when I had the 997 S and it fully charged the battery very quickly but had no maintenance mode.When I bought the Cayman S ,which was nearly new, the battery would not reach full charge.My Indie recommended that I get a CTEK but instead of running it through the cars internal socket I hard wire to the battery so that none of the cars wiring is being used to transmit the charge. The CTEK 4300 was also recommended as it is more powerfull and has a more sophisticated maintenance mode and the wiring is a little more robust(not much dearer either).
Now, the battery charges to full in a very short time and is in its first maintenance phase very quickly.After about a week it will change to a different maintenance mode to protect the battery if left for long periods.
Now, the battery charges to full in a very short time and is in its first maintenance phase very quickly.After about a week it will change to a different maintenance mode to protect the battery if left for long periods.
christer said:
I am pretty sure that the Ctek charger will not damage anything if left on.
However, I am surprised you can't see from your own statement that what you have said about your battery "being fine" is a load of b
ks. Get a new battery when you get back - 5 days indeed....ffs....
There is nothing wrong with the battery ffs - the car is parked outside during the coldest nights, it is used mainly for very short trips and even if it parked in freezing temps for 5 or 6 days without use it still starts first time, although with a weaker start. bHowever, I am surprised you can't see from your own statement that what you have said about your battery "being fine" is a load of b
ks. Get a new battery when you get back - 5 days indeed....ffs.... ks indeed
911perv said:
Doesnt mean the battery is good
If the charger says it wont charge that battery but is OK for other batteries, then that battery is not good, a cell is on the way out, nearly fecked, soon to be fecked
Sorry mate I forgot to mention the charger does charge the battery, after 1 day on the charger I took the car to Halfords who checked and told me the battery had 115% full charge. I drove it for a day and took the car back and it read at 105% full charge on their meter so it is holding its charge. The battery is OK, I don't understand why the charger doesn't go to full charge maintenance mode tho??If the charger says it wont charge that battery but is OK for other batteries, then that battery is not good, a cell is on the way out, nearly fecked, soon to be fecked
knightriderx said:
Magic919 said:
Welcome back.
Nob.
do i know u you cocksuckit?Nob.
drop me a pm with ur contact details and i will be in touch to arrange a meeting where it would be my pleasure to settle our difference u muppet
I thought as you'd given me the excellent nickname that the least I could do is use it to sign my posts.
Nob.
knightriderx said:
Sorry mate I forgot to mention the charger does charge the battery, after 1 day on the charger I took the car to Halfords who checked and told me the battery had 115% full charge. I drove it for a day and took the car back and it read at 105% full charge on their meter so it is holding its charge. The battery is OK, I don't understand why the charger doesn't go to full charge maintenance mode tho??
The guys at Halfords couldn't check your coat properly.A CTEK on a good battery will go to maintenance mode in hours not days.
Your battery's the suspect here, like it or not.
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