Smart charger review

[what2do]

I'd like to invest in a good quality smart charger that will live up to it's claims. Does anyone have an opinion, good or bad, regarding these chargers?
Cheers, Mitch.

[lloydy]

i have a ctek mxs25 (25amp) they do lesser amp ones as well for more reasonable money. Sterling do a couple as well.

[ninja.turtle007]

I have the same as Lloyd. Expensive but it does put out 25A (tested) when required.

[what2do]

100% positive.....at the moment. Cheers guys.

[AdrianC]

Another happy CTek user here, but "only" the 5A.

How big a charger do you need? How much are you taking out of the battery, and how big's your leisure battery/ies? How do you tend to camp? Don't forget the alternator's charging the leisure(s) as well as the starter whenever you're driving, on top of the hookup.

[what2do]

No leisure battery here I'm afraid. Just my main battery. Open to recommendations as to weather I purchase a 5A or 25A.

[ninja.turtle007]

My ctek charger is for my leisure batteries. For bench charging I use a cheaper charger http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/28106129 ... =95&ff19=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Noisy when the fan runs but works okay.

[lloydy]

if you only have one battery id go for a 5amp ctek or similar. 25amp is a bit overkill, mine charges 3 batteries which total over 200AH.
it would be a waste for you. 10% of your batteries AH seems to be a figure used to size a charger

[what2do]

Most helpful guys, no point me paying for excess that won't be utilised.

[what2do]

Just googled the ctek chargers. One question, are the cig adapters for charging the vehicles battery instead of clipping the crocodile clips onto the battery?

[lloydy]

Haven't seen one with a ciggy lighter? Just croc clips and rings. Like this
http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-mxs5 ... wgodUwQAFg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AdrianC]

Just googled the ctek chargers. One question, are the cig adapters for charging the vehicles battery instead of clipping the crocodile clips onto the battery?

Assuming your ciggy socket's wired to be permanently live, and you don't exceed the fuse for the circuit (usually 10A), then it'd certainly do that job.

[what2do]

Now then, choices, choices, choices. Mxs 5 charger OR mxs 5 test and charge? Quite a bit of difference in price but would you say that it's worth having the extra facility? Mitch.

[lloydy]

i'd probably just buy the normal one, or maybe shop around and see if you can get the test one cheaper somewhere.
Mine doesn't do the test thing and ive never needed it

[max and caddy]

I have a c tek charger and also a aldi one....they seem to do the same job without any issues...the c tek is water proof however.