Red warning light on CTEK
Discussion
Had it not been for your last line I would have said its simply indicating it isn't working ?!
My only other observation was that that model isn't the usual one suggested ( that would be the Mxs 5 I think ) but I'm just going on what I keep tethered to that model which is the lawn tractor and quad bike so again if its always worked on your Rapide presumably not that either.
My only other observation was that that model isn't the usual one suggested ( that would be the Mxs 5 I think ) but I'm just going on what I keep tethered to that model which is the lawn tractor and quad bike so again if its always worked on your Rapide presumably not that either.
It is rated to trickle the Rapide battery - although couldn't charge it. It's been going about 7 years now on them. Everything points to tired charger as I think if the battery was sulphated (as I think it's indicating) I would sense a weak battery? Battery is very healthy 3 stop starts on the drive cold is no problem.
It appears that you have the 0.8A model - I am not sure this will be powerful enough for your vehicle. Also, where are you connecting the other end to your vehicle? In my vantage I used to use the boot (cigarette lighter style) socket, however it never seemed to sit correctly and I would often return to find only the red error light on. I now use the terminals in the engine bay and connect through the wheel arch liner (use the quick connect in the wheel arch) with fixed terminals in the engine bay.
Thanks - it did trickle my Rapide for 6 yrs and the S for the last 12m no probs - it goes as high as a 100wH battery for maintenance charging. Think Rapide is 95wH? May be best to get a beefier one?
I too definitely have to check the lighter socket in boot connects properly - light comes on on the charger when it does. Easy to get that wrong having thought you'd pushed it in properly.
I too definitely have to check the lighter socket in boot connects properly - light comes on on the charger when it does. Easy to get that wrong having thought you'd pushed it in properly.
Edited by Ken Figenus on Wednesday 21st April 15:00
I had the same CTEK model on my Elise and it worked fine for a few yrs but started to throw a red light. Replaced the battery and eventually the red light came back - I came to the conclusion the CTEK wasn't powerful enough (that model is for motorbikes really) so upgraded to the CTEK MXS 3.8 and no issues since.
Onto this week, my 3 yr old CTEK MXS 5.0 started throwing the red light on my Vantage. Unplugged it and next day same error. Took it for a service yesterday at BR and the battery died when it was there, so I assumed the battery was past it. They fitted a new battery, got home, plugged in the CTEK and this morning I have the red light again. Argh! So I've bought a replacement CTEK this morning.
Onto this week, my 3 yr old CTEK MXS 5.0 started throwing the red light on my Vantage. Unplugged it and next day same error. Took it for a service yesterday at BR and the battery died when it was there, so I assumed the battery was past it. They fitted a new battery, got home, plugged in the CTEK and this morning I have the red light again. Argh! So I've bought a replacement CTEK this morning.
I'm not sure that model is up to the job for your car.
CTEK website said:
The XS 0.8 uses state of the art technology for charging smaller batteries on motorbikes, jet skis, ATVs and lawnmowers.
Compact trickle charger for smaller batteries
The XS 0.8 is CTEK’s smallest 12V charger and it’s suitable for charging smaller batteries as well as maintenance charging normal sized car batteries. The XS 0.8 is a compact, fully automatic 6 step charger that delivers 0.8A and charges 12V batteries from 1.2 to 32Ah and maintenance charging up to 100Ah
On the red error light:Compact trickle charger for smaller batteries
The XS 0.8 is CTEK’s smallest 12V charger and it’s suitable for charging smaller batteries as well as maintenance charging normal sized car batteries. The XS 0.8 is a compact, fully automatic 6 step charger that delivers 0.8A and charges 12V batteries from 1.2 to 32Ah and maintenance charging up to 100Ah
CTEK XS 0.8 User Manual said:
ERROR LAMP
If the error lamp is lit, check the following:
1. Is the chargers positive lead connected to the batterys positive pole?
2. Is the charger connected to a 12V battery?
3. Has charging been interrupted in step 1 or step 4?
Restart the charger. If charging is still being interrupted, the battery…
STEP 1: …is seriously sulphated and may need to be replaced.
STEP 4: …can not keep charge and may need to be replaced.
If the error lamp is lit, check the following:
1. Is the chargers positive lead connected to the batterys positive pole?
2. Is the charger connected to a 12V battery?
3. Has charging been interrupted in step 1 or step 4?
Restart the charger. If charging is still being interrupted, the battery…
STEP 1: …is seriously sulphated and may need to be replaced.
STEP 4: …can not keep charge and may need to be replaced.
Since it's still starting no problem, it could just be indicating a sulphate crystal buildup. If your Ctek (apologies I have no experience with that model) doesn't have a de-sulphate mode (I think called a 'Recond mode' on some Ctek products), it'll probably persist in showing up a red light. Models with a recondition / de-sulphate mode should be able to get the battery back into peak health (the guidance tends to be to disconnect the battery when using any de-sulphate mode though).
It gets stuck on the desulphate mode I think and then throws the error.
Its lower end of the scale but stated suitable for maintenance charging - have a proper charger for flat batteries.
Can anyone recommend a different but high quality brand pls? Have been looking at this that has a 3yr warranty: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0828HLDZC?ref=emc_p_m... but it doesnt have the lighter plug connection as std. Could hardwire the eyelets to battery under the seat (it has an inline fuse) as the lighter socket isn't very reliable.
Cheers
Its lower end of the scale but stated suitable for maintenance charging - have a proper charger for flat batteries.
Can anyone recommend a different but high quality brand pls? Have been looking at this that has a 3yr warranty: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0828HLDZC?ref=emc_p_m... but it doesnt have the lighter plug connection as std. Could hardwire the eyelets to battery under the seat (it has an inline fuse) as the lighter socket isn't very reliable.
Cheers
Ken Figenus said:
It gets stuck on the desulphate mode I think and then throws the error.
Its lower end of the scale but stated suitable for maintenance charging - have a proper charger for flat batteries.
Can anyone recommend a different but high quality brand pls? Have been looking at this that has a 3yr warranty: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0828HLDZC?ref=emc_p_m... but it doesnt have the lighter plug connection as std. Could hardwire the eyelets to battery under the seat (it has an inline fuse) as the lighter socket isn't very reliable.
Cheers
This one: https://www.cccharger.co.uk/product-page/smart-cha...Its lower end of the scale but stated suitable for maintenance charging - have a proper charger for flat batteries.
Can anyone recommend a different but high quality brand pls? Have been looking at this that has a 3yr warranty: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0828HLDZC?ref=emc_p_m... but it doesnt have the lighter plug connection as std. Could hardwire the eyelets to battery under the seat (it has an inline fuse) as the lighter socket isn't very reliable.
Cheers
It's the same as the OEM one, but without the gigantic price tag. It'll de-sulphate a battery before clicking back to trickle mode. I have one for the DB11 (with the magnetic tag connector) and it's been excellent thus far.
NFC 85 Vette said:
This one: https://www.cccharger.co.uk/product-page/smart-cha...
It's the same as the OEM one, but without the gigantic price tag. It'll de-sulphate a battery before clicking back to trickle mode. I have one for the DB11 (with the magnetic tag connector) and it's been excellent thus far.
This ^^ .... I can vouch for this charger, used on my Vantage with good results. CC Charger run by Clive Chedzey, an electronics engineer. He lives a few miles from me and also does other little electronic gizmo's. I have the exhaust flap controller in mine so I dont need to remove fuse 22 to make it loud, a simple press of a button controls it below the 4k revs threshold.It's the same as the OEM one, but without the gigantic price tag. It'll de-sulphate a battery before clicking back to trickle mode. I have one for the DB11 (with the magnetic tag connector) and it's been excellent thus far.
The charger works very well but doesn't have the price tag of the one with the Aston wings on it.
Edited by BiggaJ on Thursday 22 April 17:09
Edited by BiggaJ on Thursday 22 April 17:10
Just bagged the 5 amp one on Amazon for £48 lightning deal - big saving. Be very very quick if you need one too: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-0-Reconditio...
Ken Figenus said:
Just bagged the 5 amp one on Amazon for £48 lightning deal - big saving. Be very very quick if you need one too: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-0-Reconditio...
Already at £63.
All been working fine here since. It's on offer again on Amazon - be quick! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FC42HAA?psc=1
Missed this thread, but I have been using 0.8 xs chargers on my cars and bikes for several years and not had any issues with them except once the charger refused to go past the 2nd light, and yes, the charger had failed, not the battery. The difference afaik with the 5.0 is that it will recharge the battery quicker than the 0.8. For a top up trickle charger the 0.8 is perfectly fine from my experience.
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