Battery charger recommendations please

[malbaby]

Looking for recommendations for a 12v car battery charger that is suitable for use on a couple of garaged cars that are not regularly used.

[BradZ]

Ctek or Ozcharge. I've got an ozcharge and its fantastic. Not the cheapest available but i little cheaper than Ctek.

And if you believe the salesman apparently the bloke that owns Ozcharge was heavily involved with Ctek before starting his own company.

Take that with a grain of salt though. Great charger though, lots of charging modes as well as maintenance and rejuvenation.

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[Blue Dog]

Ctek.

[aussiblue]

I've been using a cheap and cheerful Projecta one like this on a garaged car for years without an issue http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PROJECTA-...sAAOSwuxFYxchd

[arronm]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

I've been using a cheap and cheerful Projecta one like this on a garaged car for years without an issue http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PROJECTA-...sAAOSwuxFYxchd

I've got about 12 of these. They look after my bikes and cars when not driven.

Work perfect.

[GO FURTHER]

Had no issue with the Projecta one I've had for years.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

Had no issue with the Projecta one I've had for years.

Me too.

I've been running them for years on the farm, keeping maintenance charges in anything from boats to harvesters.

Them trick with maintenance charges is getting the amperage low enough so you don't kill the battery. All maintenance chargers should be less than 1 amp.
Most off the shelf battery chargers cannot do this unless they are very good.(expensive)

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Me too.

I've been running them for years on the farm, keeping maintenance charges in anything from boats to harvesters.

Them trick with maintenance charges is getting the amperage low enough so you don't kill the battery. All maintenance chargers should be less than 1 amp.
Most off the shelf battery chargers cannot do this unless they are very good.(expensive)

Yes high amperage 'fast charging' can overcharge and damage the battery internals.

Low amp 'trickle charging' is much better and prolongs battery life.

[Pepscobra]

C-tek.
I've got three of them.

[Philaddis]

Never had a drama with the cheap and cheerful SCA charger I bought about five years ago.

Controlled by a microprocessor, does all common types of batteries up to 9 amps and there's not a battery it hasn't brought back to life yet.


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[PHANTMXR6]

Another vote for C-tek.

[GTLEGEND]

Durst for me...widely used in the industry...

http://www.durst.com.au/Store/cart_d...-Charger-BCS-A

[Interceptor]

Ctek make great chargers, Durst are good too but IMO more expensive and not so easy to find

[NTF6]

Another one here for Ctek

[FPV+fteT3]

I have an Ctek 5A on the Lotus and a cheaper SCA sourced 3.8A one on the FPV no real difference in what they do you could buy @3 x SCA units for the price of the Ctek.

[Itsme]

I have a couple of these chargers, small, compact, cheap & very reliable that will give the big brand name chargers a run for for their money.

http://www.radioparts.com.au/product...e#.WS_ZqtwlHIU

Cheers.

[adz193]

Another c-tek user

[Tassie f100]

That radio parts charger looks very similiar to a Supercheap 2.5 amp charger.Only difference appears to be price.RP $65 SCA $52

[malbaby]

Thanks guys...very informative.

[BradZ]

These are the Ozcharge's i was talking about. Seriously worth considering

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What does the rejuvenator part do, from a technical perspective?
I charge my batteries off a solar panel and charge controller but I'd consider getting a proper charger if rejuvenating is a real thing.

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by leesa

What does the rejuvenator part do, from a technical perspective?
I charge my batteries off a solar panel and charge controller but I'd consider getting a proper charger if rejuvenating is a real thing.

Solar is FINE with good regulator., Same with charger .

[arronm]

Op only wants a maintenance charger to give cars s float charge


If you want an all round charger use one of these. 25A and fully adjustable for amps and battery type

[GASWAGON]

Not sure if its a myth or not but we used to get told at my old workshop that leaving any type of auto battery on a concrete floor will discharge it.

Can't see how that is possible really?

[Sar4890]

Yeah I've heard that myself don't know how true it is but I don't take any chances and put something under my batteries anyway. As far as battery chargers go i have a PC400 Projecta and a Matson charger 1 on each car and both have done the job with no hassels both cars start every time when needed.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by CoolBFWagon

Not sure if its a myth or not but we used to get told at my old workshop that leaving any type of auto battery on a concrete floor will discharge it.

Can't see how that is possible really?

This was true decades ago when battery cases were made from different materials, these days battery cases are made of plastic which makes your statement a myth these days.

[ebxr8240]

Need atleast a 3 stage charger . 5 or 7 is best . The higher the amperage the more critical it so or over charging is easy done . To rejuvenate an old flat battery you need to charge it slowly . Hell owning a motorhome with 350 AH you go through batteries if you dont look after them . Have two types of charger . One in 40 amp to maintain batteries under load , starting etc if low charge . A 3 amp 3 stage Protecta charger to keep truck batteries charged .!

[Blue Dog]

If you are considering getting a CTEK battery charger, now might be a good time to get one as there is a 20% discount offer on ebay up to the 11th June.

See here:

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/m.html?_...harger&_sop=16

[sr71]

Originally Posted by Blue Dog

If you are considering getting a CTEK battery charger, now might be a good time to get one as there is a 20% discount offer on ebay up to the 11th June.

See here:

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/m.html?_...harger&_sop=16

Thanks Blue Dog.
I checked this out and went with a 5amp charger :
Ctek MXS 5. It came with alligator clips. Plus I got a pack of 3 connectors with eyelet connectors to fit permanently onto battery M6/M8 terminal bolts.
Cost about $105, with 20% discount. It seems they've always got a 5,10 or 20% discount.
The beauty of Ctek is that it's a system. The plugs can have battery condition indicators, extension leads and panel mount indicators. A mate bought the Bluetooth connector. So within range, he can check battery % charged on his phone.
The 3 pack of connectors was only $26.
This year I paid $220 at supercheap for a 16A Charger. It got a battery charged again, but swollen at the ends. The battery was 3 years old and unused for 9 months?? I think multiple Ctek chargers is a better option.
The Ctek 0.8A would work as a trickle charger for small batteries.
then Ctek 3.8A for small & medium. But similar price to the 5.0A.
and Ctek 5.0A (mine) which will do small to large SUV batteries, and AGM as well.
The Lithium 5.0A is for next generation batteries. This is what you'll need if you've got a Lithium battery.

I reckon for maintaining multiple cars, the MXS 5.0 and permanent connector on each car. Then just alternate every week or two between vehicles ( after 10 days on trickle, they cycle back to start)
OR
An MXS3.8 or 5.0 for each vehicle.

[uniacidz]

Projecta Automatic 12V 6200mA 2 Stage Battery Charger I have

$20 or so off ebay, 2nd hand in excellent condition

Does the trick