CTEK MXS 5 battery conditioner

[codieskid]

Hi all

I've bought a CTEK MXS 5 charger and noticed that the connectors it uses are clamps and ring terminal connectors. What's the best/easiest way to connect the charger to my car (07 Vantage)? Should I be using a cigarette lighter adapter like this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Also where is the battery connection point? Finally how often does it need connecting? I will drive the car at least once a week so is it something to use over the winter months or should I just leave it connected all the time?

Any help would be much appreciated?

Trev

[JimboA]

Best and easiest place is to plug it in to the powerpoint on the RHS in the boot.

[V12Vanquish]

Buy an accessory socket plug and connect the Ctek cables directly to it.
I bought some in Maplin the other day.

The positive live is the centre pin and the negative earth is on the outside.
It's a 2 minute job, I just modified a Ctek Bentley charger I had in stock, to use on the boot socket in my Aston.

[BravoV8V]

JimboA said:

Best and easiest place is to plug it in to the powerpoint on the RHS in the boot.

^^^^^^This^^^^^^. It's what it's there for, innit!


PS RTFM. It's all in there.

Edited by BravoV8V on Saturday 15th March 17:46

[Jon1967x]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-C-TEK-CTE-56263-CTEK...

And then plug into the boot (right hand side behind a panel. I made a custom extension cable and if you use a suitable cable you can still close and look the boot

[V12woollie]

codieskid said:

Hi all

I've bought a CTEK MXS 5 charger and noticed that the connectors it uses are clamps and ring terminal connectors. What's the best/easiest way to connect the charger to my car (07 Vantage)? Should I be using a cigarette lighter adapter like this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Yes and use the plug socket in the boot behind the removable side panel on the right. I use an MXS 5.0 and this adapter.

[Gettoff]

codieskid said:

Hi all

Finally how often does it need connecting? I will drive the car at least once a week so is it something to use over the winter months or should I just leave it connected all the time?

Any help would be much appreciated?

Trev

If you're going to be using the car once a week I wouldn't worry too much in the summer months, winter time when use is less frequent just leave it plugged then.

Assuming you have the tracker active, all things being equal, the battery will last about 3 weeks before going flat.

[codieskid]

Hi all

I just want to check something before I connect my battery conditioner. Does the cigerette lighter adapter connect to the 12v power outlet in the boot? Might sound like a stupid question but the AM handbook seems to be pointing to an area just below the battery disconnection switch



Finally, my CTEK MXS 5 seems to has 8 different settings and a few different modes. Do I simply connect to the car and then select the car icon and will the conditioner do it's thing or does it need to be in a particular setting?

Thanks

Trev

[JimboA]

Yes - the 12v socket, in the boot, on the RHS is where is plugs in. The manual (fist picture) is pointing to the right area. The second picture is the old connector. As for settings... not sure but you sound like you're on track!

[V12Vanquish]

My Ctek is an earlier model and therefore has no mode switch. But I have used one, you just select the car mode or the winter mode, the charger will do the rest. Just remember not to drive off with it still connected, not that I ever did anything like that ............

[codieskid]

Thanks Jimbo. Right I've connected it and selected car mode and the charger looks like this:


Could someone just confirm that this is correct?

Also when you guys have your conditioners connected what to do you about closing the boot. At the moment I've got mine slightly latched but not closed? I don't really want to leave the car unlocked even though it is in the garage as if it ever got stolen and the car was unlocked I am guessing the insurance company wouldn't pay a penny.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Trevor

[V12woollie]

Looks fine. The lights will gradually all come on over a few hours. As for the boot, just close it until it latches then lock the car. It will be secure and the alarm will go off as normal if there is a break in.

[Jon1967x]

Yep looks fine. I read the instructions a few times and in essence you do nothing but plug it in.

On my vantage I fold the parcel shelf the wrong way when I close the boot so I can peer through the glass to see what the lights say. I also made a custom extension cable out of some household wire as it tends to be flatter than a normal mains extension lead and leave everything in the boot with just my custom mains cable heading off to a socket.

[V12Vanquish]

I personally wouldn't leave the charger inside the car when in use. Unlikely, but just in case it overheated or went on fire. If it's sitting on the garage floor it can't do much harm.

[codieskid]

Got mine on the garage floor. Will try and lock the car then with the boot latched and hope the alarm doesn't go off.

[JimboA]

I have left mine partially latched - you can lock the car and the alarm won't go off - nor will the boot be open.

One top tip.....

Make a sign or something similar and every time you connect your conditioner, place the sign on the steering wheel. If you have something prominent, you won't drive off with it still connected!!! It's exactly the same principle as 'remove before flight' flags.

[V12Vanquish]

I always fully close the boot and lock the car in the garage. If you have the charger lead in the bottom corner of the boot aperture and gently close the boot you will find that the lead will move freely and isn't trapped. If the car is left unlocked there is a significant battery drain and the charger probably would take a long time to fully charge the battery.

[northernmedia]

JimboA said:

I have left mine partially latched - you can lock the car and the alarm won't go off - nor will the boot be open.

One top tip.....

Make a sign or something similar and every time you connect your conditioner, place the sign on the steering wheel. If you have something prominent, you won't drive off with it still connected!!! It's exactly the same principle as 'remove before flight' flags.

Oddly my car (2013 V12S) won't lock with the charger attached and the boot partially latched, the interior lights stay on too.
No problems with my previous Vantage.

Any ideas?

Thanks Matt

[AMDBSNick]

northernmedia said:

Oddly my car (2013 V12S) won't lock with the charger attached and the boot partially latched, the interior lights stay on too.
No problems with my previous Vantage.

Any ideas?

Thanks Matt

Hi Matt,

On both of mine I just slam the boot closed. No detriment to either the rubber seals or cable.

Nick

[codieskid]

As nick says you can completely close the boot and it won't damage the cable.