From what I've read ctek smart chargers seem to be well recommended but i am a little confused as to the difference in their chargers and which one is the best for my leisure battery.
I've deliberated about what to do for a while now, our new van has an alarm so while in storage it's draining the battery. I've considered solar panels, taking it home for a quick charge every so often on one of the above mentioned chargers or just forgetting the alarm while in storage (Its a Gold standard facility after all) and leaving the battery on charge at home.
Would really appreciate some thoughts on which charger to invest in and which way to go with battery while van in storage
Quote: Originally posted by Just do it on 21/11/2011
From what I've read ctek smart chargers seem to be well recommended but i am a little confused as to the difference in their chargers and which one is the best for my leisure battery.
I've deliberated about what to do for a while now, our new van has an alarm so while in storage it's draining the battery. I've considered solar panels, taking it home for a quick charge every so often on one of the above mentioned chargers or just forgetting the alarm while in storage (Its a Gold standard facility after all) and leaving the battery on charge at home.
Would really appreciate some thoughts on which charger to invest in and which way to go with battery while van in storage
I've just bought the one from Lidl, it's done the job perfectly and was £14.99p. I've decided to charge my battery every month to keep it fully topped up.
Aldi also do one at a similar price which is much the same as the one I've bought.
Others have said that these are simply a copy of the Ctek chargers.
You use the word "best" which needs some qualification as to what you consider is its meaning.
CTEK have developed a range of chargers over the years that reflect advancing technology, battery size[capacity] and price point. The most expensive one for a battery size not much bigger or smaller than your battery would be technically the best but almost certainly by my definition of "best" fail on being a cost over kill.
I plod along with a dated XS3600 which has served me well for nearly two decades ; I had a second that failed a couple of years ago. That I replaced with the much cheaper Aldi one and a year ago I purchased another Aldi unit.
If you can keep an eye on the Aldi unit to reset it following any power cut its certainly a "best buy" option and adequate for what you describe you need.
Thanks guys. I think with such a cost point difference I'll give the aldi or lido one a whirl as Santa I sense is already preparing his invoices for kiddies presents! Can anyone point me in the right direction for the charger I should buy?
Quote: Originally posted by Just do it on 22/11/2011
Thanks guys. I think with such a cost point difference I'll give the aldi or lido one a whirl as Santa I sense is already preparing his invoices for kiddies presents! Can anyone point me in the right direction for the charger I should buy?
Thanks
The Lidl charger is called 'Ultimate Speed' but can't remember what the Aldi one is called. You'll need to check regularly for either make as they only have them in a couple of times a year. The Lidl one was in stock a short while back which is when I bought mine.
When you are in Lidl don't forget to get your screenwash as it goes down to -60 when used undiluted, far better than any of the others, it can be diluted 1 : 1 for a -20 degrees safeguard.
Hope that helps.
I have a ring smart charger - it only does a 2 or 4 amp charge, but I find over a day and a night, my leisure battery (only 75amps) is fully charged on the 4 amp setting and the charger ring has switched over to maintenance mode. I then disconnect it from the terminals and recharge it after 2 months or so, when I also turn the wheels around. However, my caravn is stored on the drive, not in storage.
Quote: Originally posted by Just do it on 22/11/2011Thanks for comments. Anyone else in my situation with an alarm and leaving van in storage?
Well I am not in your position as I store at home on EHU, but if I was I would service the alarms drain with a small [10 Watts ?] solar cell charging the battery. Whatever size solar I would fit a controller, they are cheaper than good batteries!
Quote: Originally posted by Just do it on 22/11/2011Thanks for comments. Anyone else in my situation with an alarm and leaving van in storage?
Well I am not in your position as I store at home on EHU, but if I was I would service the alarms drain with a small [10 Watts ?] solar cell charging the battery. Whatever size solar I would fit a controller, they are cheaper than good batteries!
Thanks for this. How often do you think I should then put it on the smart charger if I leave it running on a 10w solar panel whilst in storage?
Just been looking for solar panel. Does anyone know if I could use this through the caravan window and if plugged into the 12v sockets in the van will it provide charge? And be safe left unattended?
Aldi had there smart chargers on sale on October 6th last, still worth looking as I have picked up there specials quite often weeks after they were on offer.
I'm not the techy one in the family so can't give all the detail but we put 2 small (from Maplin?) solar panels balanced with a strip of aluminium in the heki roof light, blind pulled back over when the van is in storage. We had problems with the battery draining thanks to the alarm. They go to the battery via a socket in the van. I guess OH has altered this in some way as the cig, style connector has 2 switches - one for when putting power in to battery, other if you want to use for power from battery. Hope that makes sense to the more technically minded!!
Works well for us and has meant recently not having to change the battery before using the motor mover to get van out of storage or back on the drive.
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Topic: Ctek smart battery chargers
