Ctek Battery Charging
Submitted: Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 17:29
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jdwynn (Adelaide)
Ok battery guru’s, I have 7amp Ctek and a Remco 100 Ah AGM battery (sealed). For periodic charging at home should I be charging at 13.6v (float) or 14.7v (cycle). I hook up charger about once per month.
Battery spec’s say use 13.5-13.8v for float and 14.4-14.7v for cycle charging. Charger says 14.7 appropriate for AGM’s.
I understand at 14.4/14.7v the charger introduces pulse maintenance, which I think limits sulphation.
From all this I think 14.7v is preferable. Any thoughts?
Thanks in anticipation.
Reply By: Mark Taylor - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 17:40
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 17:40
I have the same battery in my CT and the same charger.
I leave it on permanently on the higher setting.
The charger is designed not to overcharge the battery and you will find it will be fine.
Cheers
Mark Taylor
AnswerID:
324001
Reply By: redeye141 - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 17:46
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 17:46
Hi jdwynn,
The charger is designed for many types of batteries and may use a ball
park figure for floatation.
The battery manufacturer has specified 13.5 - 13.8 volts. I suspect the gassing voltage for the battery will be 14.4v. Use the lowest setting and your battery will not suffer from excessive gassing and premature ageing.
Redeye.
AnswerID:
324003
Follow Up By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 18:50
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 18:50
I charge a 120a AGM cithe the 700 and have always used 14.7 as per sugggestion in instructions.
Have used it since 2005 with no problems.
Might be an idea to check with battery manufacturer.
Pedro
FollowupID:
591062
Reply By: Dunaruna - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 18:52
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 18:52
I would suggest 'normal' mode.
The lower setting (13.6v) is a supply mode, it will not monitor SOC. The higher setting (normal mode 14.4v) will stop charging when 14.4v is reached, then it will monitor and pulse (if required) ever 10 minutes. In the normal mode you can set and forget. In supply mode you need to keep a close eye on proceedings or you will
cook it.
Unless you batt manufacturer specifies 14.7, I would stay
well clear of that setting.
The 16v+ mode is only used to try and resurrect a battery that has died a slow death.
AnswerID:
324011
Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 19:08
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 19:08
Agreed. Use the normal mode. The charger is smart enough to do the right job for you.
I had the same charger until I traded up to Ctek 25 Amp. Great chargers. Just let it do it's job.
Norm C
AnswerID:
324015
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 19:12
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 19:12
I too have the Ctek 7000 charger.
Looking at the instruction sheet, it is suggested that many AGM batteries can be charged using "Snowflake" mode (14.7 volts)
I would suggest you try this mode instead of the "Normal" mode (14.4 volts). You will not harm the battery in this mode.
Bill.
AnswerID:
324016
Reply By: Mike Harding - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 19:20
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 19:20
Just buy the cheapest thing you can find which maintains a constant voltage of approximately 13V8 and has a current capability of 1 amp or more: leave that permanently connected to your battery whilst it is in storage - forget all the complex crap.
Mike Harding
AnswerID:
324019
Reply By: Ianw - Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 21:45
Friday, Sep 05, 2008 at 21:45
If you are charging once per month then you are CYCLE charging. This is the setting you should be using. If you leave connected all the time you are FLOAT charging. This is when you should be using the float setting.
Ian
AnswerID:
324053