ctek questions

Submitted: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 17:34

ThreadID: 69203 Views:2091 Replies:3 FollowUps:5

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Member - Mfewster(SA)

I have a regular battery and a deep cycle, connected with a redarc. The ctek comes with a small plug unit that I understand can be left on the battery and the ctek just gets plugged into this when I want to charge with it.
When using a ctek charger, if I connect it to the main battery, will the deepcycle battery also get charged?
Or, do I need to get one of the plug units (they are about $15.00) for each battery. One comes with the charger.
Thanks

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Reply By: RobAck - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 18:31

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 18:31

I am assumig you mean both batteries are connected using one of the Redarc solenoid based dual battery chargers?

If that is the case then this is a voltage sensitive switch that allows current to flow to the second battery when the starting battery has reached >13.86 volts or thereabouts. So you should be able to charge both from a single source. Check the Redarc site for information as they are very helpful.

From a simple battery charging sense purchase one of the Redarc smart chargers and it will do considerably more to condition your batteries and maintain them than just about anything else on the market. You need a four stage charger to do the job and CTek also make one and I understand it has a very good reputation but we have no direct experience of it

Regards

RobA

AnswerID: 366844

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 22:22

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 22:22

Rob,
Redarc changed the specs about a year ago. Current now flows to the second battery at 13.2V. They chnaged it because there were a lot of complaints from LandCruiser V8 owners that their voltage was never high enough for the isolator to work.

Those Redarc chargers are only 5 amps - not high enough for many of us.

Cheers
Phil

FollowupID: 634545

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 18:39

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 18:39

Hi Mfewster

I would recommend fitting the plug and connector to the aux battery and charge it directly to the aux battery.

You can charge the main battery and then the red-arc will engage and pass the charge over to the aux battery but as the aux battery is normally the one that requires the charge it is best to connect directly to the aux battery.

Once the aux battery is charged there is no reason you can't use the croc clips and charge the main battery and then the red-arc will engage at approx 13.5V and keep the aux battery full.

Hope this makes sense otherwise email me.

Note: The Ctek charger is fine for your application.

Regards

Derek from ABR

AnswerID: 366846

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 18:56

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 18:56

Thanks Roback and Derek. I should have added that my 4wd is mainly used for short runs (when not taking it on expeditions, that is). My main starting battery takes a bit of a beating , especially during the winter months, with this sort of running and I want the charger to keep evrything in shape while waiting for the next big trip.
Does this change your recommendations?

FollowupID: 634509

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 19:50

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 19:50

Yes, in that case fit a bridge or master switch between the red-arc terminals and allow the batteries to charge / maintain as one when the car is not in use.

Regards

Derek from ABR

FollowupID: 634515