Using a battery charger/conditioner

sjb · 01-01-2014, 07:48 PM

My car hasn't been used in a month and now a dirty great skip in front of the garage means it's unlikely to move this month so I am going to get the new charger/conditioner out. I thought it was a simple case of connecting the crocodile clips to the terminals on the battery but my instructions say to disconnect the battery cables whilst charging. Is this correct or are they just being overly cautious ?
What do you guys do?

**shimmy** · 01-01-2014, 07:58 PM

With the Ctek the connectors can be permanently attached to the battery and you just plug the Ctek in and leave it to charge for as LNG as you like. No disconnecting necessary.

sjb · 01-01-2014, 08:02 PM

Ah I forgot to say mine is a Lidl special CTEK copy although German made and was well reviewed a couple of years ago when they were out. I can't see it would be any different though? it's got a facility to switch off so it can't overheat or overcharge.

Clubber · 01-01-2014, 08:05 PM

I use Black& Decker charger on all my cars which plugs in directly from the cig lighter. Easy to use and works very well for years.

sjb · 01-01-2014, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clubber

I use Black& Decker charger on all my cars which plugs in directly from the cig lighter. Easy to use and works very well for years.

Do you bother to disconnect the battery leads whilst charging?

**shimmy** · 01-01-2014, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjb

Ah I forgot to say mine is a Lidl special CTEK copy although German made and was well reviewed a couple of years ago when they were out. I can't see it would be any different though? it's got a facility to switch off so it can't overheat or overcharge.

If it doesn't switch off automatically then I can see why they recommend disconnecting it....should have got the real deal.

cslsuperfan · 01-01-2014, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjb

Do you bother to disconnect the battery leads whilst charging?

As Shim says

You need to connect the charger leads directly to the + and - terminals.
As I recall their 5mm nuts and a washer screw onto the terminal blocks so no need to disconnect the main battery terminals. The insulated charger lead will now sit between the plastic battery cover and the hardboard boot floor covering towing eye and inflation kit.

Mines an optimate 4 which is on from sept through to april. I never switch it off unless I'm unlocking the car for access.

**alexk** · 01-01-2014, 08:22 PM

I connect my CTEK MXS 5.0 in the engine bay

Simplessssss

sjb · 01-01-2014, 09:45 PM

Cheers all, I will fire up the lidl special tomorrow but now I will consider a ctek due to the known quality.

MCSL · 02-01-2014, 11:57 AM

Ctek MXS 5.0T to cigarette lighter.

01-01-2014, 07:48 PM	#1
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Using a battery charger/conditioner My car hasn't been used in a month and now a dirty great skip in front of the garage means it's unlikely to move this month so I am going to get the new charger/conditioner out. I thought it was a simple case of connecting the crocodile clips to the terminals on the battery but my instructions say to disconnect the battery cables whilst charging. Is this correct or are they just being overly cautious ? What do you guys do? __________________ Car no. 406

01-01-2014, 07:58 PM	#2
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	With the Ctek the connectors can be permanently attached to the battery and you just plug the Ctek in and leave it to charge for as LNG as you like. No disconnecting necessary. __________________ .

01-01-2014, 08:02 PM	#3
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Ah I forgot to say mine is a Lidl special CTEK copy although German made and was well reviewed a couple of years ago when they were out. I can't see it would be any different though? it's got a facility to switch off so it can't overheat or overcharge. __________________ Car no. 406

01-01-2014, 08:05 PM	#4
Clubber S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: May 2010 Location: Istanbul Posts: 359 Casino cash: $6310	I use Black& Decker charger on all my cars which plugs in directly from the cig lighter. Easy to use and works very well for years. __________________ Can, '04 M3 CSL ,'87 M3

01-01-2014, 08:22 PM	#8
alexk Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,786 Casino cash: $29981	I connect my CTEK MXS 5.0 in the engine bay Simplessssss __________________ www.clubcsl.com - I am a BMW Motorsport fan ! My youtube channel is here

01-01-2014, 09:45 PM	#9
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Cheers all, I will fire up the lidl special tomorrow but now I will consider a ctek due to the known quality. __________________ Car no. 406

02-01-2014, 11:57 AM	#10
MCSL S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 326 Casino cash: $4114	Ctek MXS 5.0T to cigarette lighter.