Battery Maintenance Charger

[Davidgriffiths]

Any recommendations for a maintenance battery charger?

Need to look after two Odyssey PC1500 batteries that have been on the boat for a while, but not in use as yet.

Thanks

[willk]

I'm in the process of selecting a pair of maintenance chargers for my 120Ah gel batteries. Previous posts on here seem to favour the Ctek range of chargers. As John Kennett often says, they're "reassuringly expensive"!

[A1an]

I have several ctek maintenance chargers on the go, I've got them on 2 Argocats, a Polaris Ranger and my RIB.

The one on the RIB keeps both batteries "warm" without any issues.

They seem good units.

[Last Tango]

I use a Mascot 2045 that will fast charge a 20amps and hold a maintenance charge at 13.8 volts (sitting 70mA at the minute). These are quite expensive but we use them on some of the medical equipment and they are very reliable. 2045000045 - MASCOT - 2045 Series 12V 20A Bench Charger | CPC UK

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

Previous posts on here seem to favour the Ctek range of chargers. As John Kennett often says, they're "reassuringly expensive"!

[Davidgriffiths]

Thanks Chaps

Think I will go for either a Ctec M100 (expensive as you say) or an Optimate 6 (older but seem to well regarded)

[BogMonster]

I have used a £20 auto charger from Maypole for many years. It has 2 modes, one will top up to and hold the battery at 14.4V (same as an alternator) the other will hold the battery at about 12.85V (maintenance charge). So you don't need to spend a fortune to keep batteries happy. I use this on the RIB, my ride-on lawnmower, vehicles I'm not using, and various other batteries that I have lying around. Sold my 13 year old Discovery a few months back with its original battery in it, so seems to be effective!

I have 4 Maypole chargers from a trickle charger built in to a plug up to a 30A boost charger, and they are all good, both quality and price.

[Fenlander]

Following on from Bog Monster's value angle I'm looking after two small boat leisure batteries and an infrequently used car's battery with one of these...

Battery Charger Streetwize 12V 1.5amp Compact Automatic Trickle Car Motorcycle | eBay

It's reassuringly cheap at around £16 with a reassuringly cheesy name.

[9D280]

What a remarkably well timed thread. It has saved me asking the same Q!

I had Halford's "auto switching between charge & maintenance" offering of 10 years ago looking after the leisure battery I fitted to the rib......

I am now shopping for both a new battery & charger........

[jambo]

Well I have used a Black &Decker three band charger for years to maintain my two batteries during the winter and never had any problems.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Xk59D]

Whimps.....take the 50 quid for the overpriced charger and put it towards a floatation suit and get out boating, keeps batts charged no problem

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Whimps.....take the 50 quid for the overpriced charger and put it towards a floatation suit and get out boating, keeps batts charged no problem

Ah you Greenock men are just so hard!!


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[jeffstevens763@g]

With the old guard on this halfords £20 6v & 12v hi/low charge. Charge up before the season or when volt meter shows low volts never had problems.

[9D280]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Whimps.....take the 50 quid for the overpriced charger and put it towards a floatation suit and get out boating, keeps batts charged no problem

I like the theory but baby from hell limits that option a bit!

[Searider]

Ive got one of the halfords "does everything" charger and it's been fine for the last 7 or 8 years.

I put it on for a couple of days a month.

[9D280]

Originally Posted by Searider

Ive got one of the halfords "does everything" charger and it's been fine for the last 7 or 8 years.

Originally Posted by Searider

I put it on for a couple of days a month.

As opposed to me who left it on 24/7........

Maybe I just need to buy a new battery......

[MatFromPoland]

Why not multipurpose CTEK MXS 5.0 12V 5A
Do you really need MARINE grade CTEK which is more expensive (MARINE word and probably better waterproof case)

MXS 5.0

I think that it has almost the same features than M100 but it costs less than half of it. In Poland you can buy CTEK MXS 5.0 12V 5A for 46 GBP.

Not sure why on amazon.co.uk is much more expensive. Maybe UK sockets are so expensive ...

[Char]

I have bought several dedicated trickle chargers for equipment. I recently bought a Genious Brand (for my zodiac) off amazon there are different amperage models. I set this up with a quick disconnect. Evan tho my rib gets out year round, I have the piece of mind knowing my battery gets contidioning,and for the price marine batteries my batteries should last.

[MatFromPoland]

My father has borrowed from me my CTEK MXS 5.0

He uses some cheap charger from Tesco but he had problem to start engine (Peg. 407 gasoline). AKU has still green mark. I was wonder if he needs maybe to replace spark plugs, check wires, etc.

But after he used mine CTEK problems has been solved. His car starts easy even temperature now is lower than before (-15 C in Warsaw Poland )

I have not idea if it proof anything but if really use CTEK extend life span of his AKU for year or more it be good saving and environmental friendly solution (I hope).

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by MatFromPoland

My father has borrowed from me my CTEK MXS 5.0

He uses some cheap charger from Tesco but he had problem to start engine (Peg. 407 gasoline). AKU has still green mark. I was wonder if he needs maybe to replace spark plugs, check wires, etc.

But after he used mine CTEK problems has been solved. His car starts easy even temperature now is lower than before (-15 C in Warsaw Poland )

I have not idea if it proof anything but if really use CTEK extend life span of his AKU for year or more it be good saving and environmental friendly solution (I hope).

+1 for this one I have too it dose bring dead batteries back to life with its recondition mode!