CTEK mxs 5 battery charger; anyone local to Milton Keynes?

[andrewdj]

I had my DB11 battery and charging system checked because my charger was reporting faults - never got past step 5. It was reported that my charger was faulty as when they tried another, it worked fine; retrying mine and it failed.

I returned it back to where I purchased it and they are testing it and reporting no problems with it so far (after 3 weeks). I didn’t return the magnetic adapter lead so now I’m wondering whether that is the problem, although continuity and resistance testing doesn’t highlight any shorts down the wire.

Is there anyone local to Milton Keynes with one who could pop around with it to help me test?

[Simpo Two]

I had the magnetic charger connection fitted last August. The socket side was mounted facing downwards under the numberplate holder, and as it didn't have a cover, it would get dirty and wet. I first realised something was wrong when it felt warm. I got into the habit of wiping it with a tissue every time I used it. After about 9 months it stopped making a reliable connection, and that defeats the point of the thing. I got round it by changing the car

With the new car I've gone back to my original belt/braces method of a physical connector that hides in the grille. The magnetic idea is nice but not to be trusted IMHO.

[andrewdj]

The magnetic connector was changed last August. When I had it tested, 3 weeks ago, it was working with a different CTK MXS 5 and mag connector lead, just not with the unit/lead I had. That points more to either the unit or the lead - unfortunately, the lead and unit weren't tested independently and it was assumed the unit was faulty. I returned the unit to the supplier who has been testing it and saying it's working.

[alscar]

andrewdj said:

I had my DB11 battery and charging system checked because my charger was reporting faults - never got past step 5. It was reported that my charger was faulty as when they tried another, it worked fine; retrying mine and it failed.

I returned it back to where I purchased it and they are testing it and reporting no problems with it so far (after 3 weeks). I didn t return the magnetic adapter lead so now I m wondering whether that is the problem, although continuity and resistance testing doesn t highlight any shorts down the wire.

Is there anyone local to Milton Keynes with one who could pop around with it to help me test?

From experience of CTEKs on many cars over many years failure is rare but can happen and for no apparent reason not even age.
Did you also try to connect via the battery direct ( or 12v socket assuming live ) ?
I had the magnetic connector in my “ new “ Vantage but as Simpo says I never found the connection that positive.
All my cars have the CTEK adapter hard wired to the battery which is much more positive.
My GT8 has the Optimate lithium charger so that is directly into the 12v socket in the boot as the battery is a faff to get to.

[andrewdj]

No, it was working fine and is only 6 months old. My first thought was the battery given it's 6 years old as far as I know but as I said, testing seemed to show it was either the unit or the mag connector lead. Unfortunately, they never thought to narrow it down, fair enough, but as I said, an alternate unit/lead worked fine hence the view that the unit had gone faulty. I don't have the unit at the moment as I sent it back which is why I wondered if there was anyone local who had one who could pop around.

[Simpo Two]

Can you not just tell the supplier that you would like a replacement?

[andrewdj]

I did, yes. I sent it back and he's been testing it and so far reporting it working. However, I didn't send him mag connector lead as I assumed it was just the unit. I suspect he'll ask for that next but in the meantime I was hoping that perhaps I could test it first here at home.

[Nigel_O]

Are you using a CTEK extension cable? I’ve found them to be a bit unreliable as they age.

The only sure-fire way to be sure that it’s not the charger is to connect it directly to the charging points under the bonnet. If that works, then it’s the leads or the mag-connector

[andrewdj]

No extension lead. The unit is at the supplier as I mentioned so I can’t test it further right now. I was just looking to see if I could test the actual mag connector cable but I need a unit and, preferably a known working cable. Hence the ask.