CTEK CTX Battery Sense
Discussion
Anyone have one of these, is it any good? I've read a few reviews that the app is a bit rubbish which kind of defeats the whole point.
I religiously plug the Vantage in (CTEK MXS 5.0) in when its not being used, but my three year old battery is now showing signs its rather unwell. Having read another thread last night about concerns with battery life when left on a battery monitor, I'm going to change my approach and only charge when required. Plus I'm not sure how many more battery changes my back can stand
This then lead to looking at the CTEK CTX or cheaper alternatives, yes I know I can check with a multimeter or similar, but having ready access to the state of the battery on your phone does appeal.
I religiously plug the Vantage in (CTEK MXS 5.0) in when its not being used, but my three year old battery is now showing signs its rather unwell. Having read another thread last night about concerns with battery life when left on a battery monitor, I'm going to change my approach and only charge when required. Plus I'm not sure how many more battery changes my back can stand
This then lead to looking at the CTEK CTX or cheaper alternatives, yes I know I can check with a multimeter or similar, but having ready access to the state of the battery on your phone does appeal.
I am no expert in car battery maintainers as I never used them, but according to my experience with consumer electronics, I don't think it's good to have a battery always on charge. I remember a Dell laptop I had for work, at the office it was placed on a docking station basically 24/7, I rarely took it home and was on battery just during meetings or on business trips.
After 2 years, the battery was busted.
Next laptop I had, I took care of unplugging the dock charging cable when leaving the office each evening, battery was still strong after 4 years.
Same goes for a cell phone, I don't think it's healthy to never basically have discharging cycles. Of course at some point any battery will struggle to keep the charge, but it will be its normal cycle of life.
After 2 years, the battery was busted.
Next laptop I had, I took care of unplugging the dock charging cable when leaving the office each evening, battery was still strong after 4 years.
Same goes for a cell phone, I don't think it's healthy to never basically have discharging cycles. Of course at some point any battery will struggle to keep the charge, but it will be its normal cycle of life.
I use the CTEK charger, but not aware there was a phone app. I have the CTEK fly lead that goes into the boot 12vDC inlet to charge, the lead has some level indicator lights on it and I leave the lead plugged in over winter months when I may charge the car during longer periods of rest. Its been easy enough just to check the indicator light on the lead when I open the boot, then decide if I will put the charger on it.
bogie said:
I use the CTEK charger, but not aware there was a phone app. I have the CTEK fly lead that goes into the boot 12vDC inlet to charge, the lead has some level indicator lights on it and I leave the lead plugged in over winter months when I may charge the car during longer periods of rest. Its been easy enough just to check the indicator light on the lead when I open the boot, then decide if I will put the charger on it.
Yes I also have the comfort indicator, the one I have always seems to misread for some reason.The CTX is a Bluetooth module you permanently wire to the battery, then whenever your phone is in range it will download the data. I think for IOS you have to have the app running in the background.
Edited by triple5 on Tuesday 25th February 12:54
EVR said:
I am no expert in car battery maintainers as I never used them, but according to my experience with consumer electronics, I don't think it's good to have a battery always on charge.
The battery is not always on charge. After 80% it goes to trickle charge and once at 100% it goes to a pulse charge.That's the whole point of the Ctek chargers. They don't constantly charge the battery, only when it is needed.
V8V12VTECwoollie said:
The battery is not always on charge. After 80% it goes to trickle charge and once at 100% it goes to a pulse charge.
That's the whole point of the Ctek chargers. They don't constantly charge the battery, only when it is needed.
Exactly, and this is why they are best connected always.That's the whole point of the Ctek chargers. They don't constantly charge the battery, only when it is needed.
Well all I can say in my case is that brand new battery which has spent a considerable amount of its life connected to a MXS 5.0, has not lasted well. Unfortunately for various reasons my car has only covered about 4K in those 3 years, so does spend most of its time plugged into life support in the garage.
As a stop gap I've ordered one of those plug in voltmeters to go in the boot socket, I don't trust the comfort connector to give me an indication the battery needs charging.
As a stop gap I've ordered one of those plug in voltmeters to go in the boot socket, I don't trust the comfort connector to give me an indication the battery needs charging.
triple5 said:
Well all I can say in my case is that brand new battery which has spent a considerable amount of its life connected to a MXS 5.0, has not lasted well. Unfortunately for various reasons my car has only covered about 4K in those 3 years, so does spend most of its time plugged into life support in the garage.
Bad luck there triple.
My car is also a low miler, but the original battery was still working perfectly after 8 years. CTEK usually connected.
Not wanting to encounter the electrical gremlins spoken about on here, I decided that I was pushing my luck, so had it replaced. Battery life seems to vary considerably.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Tuesday 25th February 17:59
triple5 said:
Well all I can say in my case is that brand new battery which has spent a considerable amount of its life connected to a MXS 5.0, has not lasted well. Unfortunately for various reasons my car has only covered about 4K in those 3 years, so does spend most of its time plugged into life support in the garage.
As a stop gap I've ordered one of those plug in voltmeters to go in the boot socket, I don't trust the comfort connector to give me an indication the battery needs charging.
Not sure why this is the case. I have a 2010 DBS that has lived its whole life on a Ctek. It’s only done 2000 miles and has spent over a year at tines without starting. The battery is still original. As a stop gap I've ordered one of those plug in voltmeters to go in the boot socket, I don't trust the comfort connector to give me an indication the battery needs charging.
In fact I have cars where the battery’s are 12 years old now
Edited by vpr on Tuesday 25th February 20:49
Can also report no issues with CTEK MX5.0 conditioner. Also, is not permanently “charging”. Once battery is up to correct charge, it simply manages its charge cycle to maintain the battery condition. These are conditioners as opposed to trickle chargers or chargers. Used by many marques under their own brand, including the official “Aston” unit - but considerably more expensive to buy, just for the privilege of having it branded.
I use one on a DB9 and a Lamborghini. Have done for some years and no need to change the battery.
I use one on a DB9 and a Lamborghini. Have done for some years and no need to change the battery.
This first showed up as an issue when the ctek first went into fault mode, solid red light and no charging lights. Checking the battery voltage with the charger disconnected showed 11.8v, reset the charger and within an hour it was at full charge, disconnected and checked again and still 11.8v
Going to try a recondition cycle to see if that kicks it into life, I’m not hopeful,
Going to try a recondition cycle to see if that kicks it into life, I’m not hopeful,
I've just been looking at options for a battery conditioner suitable for V12V. Previously used CTEK which worked well (can't remember the model). Seems to be a range of CTEK options and just wondering which to go for. Seems MXS 5.0 is most popular. The Aston equivalent looks to be about 5 times the price!
lime1 said:
I've just been looking at options for a battery conditioner suitable for V12V. Previously used CTEK which worked well (can't remember the model). Seems to be a range of CTEK options and just wondering which to go for. Seems MXS 5.0 is most popular. The Aston equivalent looks to be about 5 times the price!
Astons own one is a C-tek with the Aston branding so you will pay more if it says Aston Martin on it.Ctek Mx 5.0 can go wrong.
Mine kept showing red error and I ended up with a completely (1.8v) flat battery. The battery was only 6 months old so I was suspicious.
Anyway after all the shenanigans of being locked out etc I got the battery charged up and connected to a AA conditioner. This has been fine so far
Only £25 too
Mine kept showing red error and I ended up with a completely (1.8v) flat battery. The battery was only 6 months old so I was suspicious.
Anyway after all the shenanigans of being locked out etc I got the battery charged up and connected to a AA conditioner. This has been fine so far
Only £25 too
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