c tek battery chargers

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 16:40

ThreadID: 38260 Views:6956 Replies:5 FollowUps:0

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Mr Z

sorry to bring this up again everyne.

but the guy at the local caravan spares shop dosen't have a clue and was no help at all to me, I think I new more about these chargers!

I have an 80ah exide extreme battery that I want to charge when out bush. It's hooked up to a dual battery system on a 4.2td gu patrol.

am i safe just to hook the charger up, leaving fridge etc all hooked up? should i remove the battery caps? etc..

the next question: )
i know the 7000 ctek will be enough but will the 25000 charge it quicker? and will it still be safe/not cook the battery?
I plan to eventually add a few batteries to a camper trailer thats why i was considering the 25000

i'd appreciate any advice,

thanks

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Reply By: Grungle - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 16:57

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 16:57

Hi Mr Z,

Treat your aux battery like your starting battery and leave everything connected and battery caps on. Only if you are going to do an equalization charge on the battery would you need to pull it out, remove loads and vent caps as it will gas vigorously. Normal charging will not require any of this.

A battery will have a charge rate that is recommended by the manufacturer of the battery for its type and capacity. You should try search for a spec data sheet for the Exide as it should be stated in this.

As a general rule, a battery should be charged at the C/5 rate which is a rate that is 1/5 of the battery capacity (C=capacity divided by 5). Do a search on the net for some reputable sites (I would suggest battery manufacturers as a start) and it will be explained in detail there.

In the case of your 85AHr battery I would suggest that you do not charge it with anything more than a 15A charger. I am not familiar with the CTEK but if you are aware of their outputs then you should be able to choose a model that will fit the C/5 charge rate profile.

Regards
David

AnswerID: 197816

Reply By: Mr Z - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:17

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 17:17

Thanks grungle,

my understanding is that the ctek comes in a 7a (7000) or a 25a (25000)model, it sounds like the 25 might be a bit much for my battery at this stage

AnswerID: 197819

Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 18:10

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 18:10

Z, I used to have a CTek 7 Amp, and upgraded to a 25 Amp about 12 months ago. They are great chargers.
I upgraded as I had added more batteries. I use the CTek 25 Amp to charge between one and four batteries at a time. My smallest battery is a 60AH AGM. My biggest is a 120AH AGM (have 2). The other is a 105AH normal vented deep cycle.

From my experience, you will have no problem charging your current single battery on the 25Amp charger. And you will have the right one for when you get more.

AnswerID: 197830

Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 21:09

Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006 at 21:09

Hi Mr Z

Go for the 25 amp unit. We sell many of them and they are rated for 50 to 500 ah.

Here is a link to Ctek. XS25000

You can leave them on and run the accessories at the same time.

Regards Derek.

AnswerID: 197860