Trickle Chargers

[Nodzed]

Hi all, need some advice please, I have never had my Zeds off the road for winter but will be for the first time this year and want a charger I can just leave connected for the winter months to keep the battery tip top.

I know lots of you have these and would appreciate any opinions/ advice on a good reasonably priced unit that has been used and can be vouched for.

Thanks in advance.
Niall

I have found this one

https://www.roughtrax4x4.com/maypol...oIbWnu50qYmlC1HqWFCBdEbH0NLWWuCRoCYsMQAvD_BwE

 

[Grumps]

I think most that have them use c-tek Niall. I've just been sent one from a forum member that he no longer uses. I too have never used them, I've always just removed the neg terminal and left it till spring.
Only thing I need to do before I can use it is get the electric supply upto the garage

 

[andyglym]

Mine's a CTEK but looks similar mate. Different programmes and just plug and forget mate. My mate uses his CTEK on his 944 all winter with no issues.

 

[Keet]

We have our e89 on a CTEK whenever it's going to be stood for a prolonged period of time. Highly recommended.

 

[Nodzed]

Which CTEKs are you guys using? theres a few different models (and prices)

 

[andyglym]

Which CTEKs are you guys using? theres a few different models (and prices)

Sorry mate, can't check, at the airport. I'm sure it cost about £50-£60 though so mid range though 2 years on probably bottom range.

 

[Nodzed]

Sorry mate, can't check, at the airport. I'm sure it cost about £50-£60 though so mid range though 2 years on probably bottom range.

Jeeze where you off too now Andy? I reckon you're a tax exile

 

[andyglym]

Jeeze where you off too now Andy? I reckon you're a tax exile

Pikey, if you please Back to the office for a couple of weeks in Paris mate, the C-in-C told me to disappear as I'm b******** up her television viewing

 

[Geophys]

Mine's an old CTEK 3600 120ah, that I have had for about five or six years and just does what it says.

 

[Springers]

Hi I’ve used simple streetwise trickle charger worked fine all last winter and is on now £15 I think from europarts/Argos

 

[Jjim]

I use an AA Battery Charger / Maintainer.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Battery...id=1539686469&sr=8-4&keywords=trickle+charger

Used it all last winter. Very happy with it.

 

[Mint]

I use one I got from Lidl or Aldi can't remember which. Does the same as a Ctek but at was much cheaper

 

[mwpe]

This is the one I have, I used to use it on the E30 where it was good just connect and forget. The Z is never off the road.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5...&sr=8-2&keywords=ctek+battery+charger+mxs+5.0

 

[Keet]

Which CTEKs are you guys using? theres a few different models (and prices)

We have the CTEK MXS-5. It's the same as the BMW one, they've just put the BMW logo on it. It's hard wired to the battery in the boot.

Currently £68.94 on Amazon reduced from £79.99.

 

[Davyhoogy]

I use an AA Battery Charger / Maintainer.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Battery...id=1539686469&sr=8-4&keywords=trickle+charger

Used it all last winter. Very happy with it.

I have this one too. No complaints

 

[A. Gammon]

My Zed will be unused for a couple of months, during which time the battery will undoubtedly discharge. It will be in a dark garage, so no sunlight/solar charging and no electric supply. If I remove the battery and leave it on charge elsewhere, I am concerned the cars electrical system will sulk when reconnected. What alternatives are there?

 

[Grumps]

My Zed will be unused for a couple of months, during which time the battery will undoubtedly discharge. It will be in a dark garage, so no sunlight/solar charging and no electric supply. If I remove the battery and leave it on charge elsewhere, I am concerned the cars electrical system will sulk when reconnected. What alternatives are there?

For the five years I've owned my zed I have always just disconnected the negative terminal and left it. This has usually been from November to March. Never had an issue with the electrics after.
Now I have moved and have a garage I am going to start using a conditioner once I get electric plummed into the garage.

 

[t-tony]

I'll add detail on the one I got for Christmas last year later. I used it over 3 weeks in the spring and it was fine.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

My black Zed lives in my garage and is continually on a trickle charge, ever since I bought it in 2013. I don't know what make the charger is but it's only a Halfords cheapy

 

[mrscalex]

This is the one I have.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-0-Reconditions-Motorcycle/dp/B00FC42HAA

But if you only want it for trickle charging it's over-kill. You can find much cheaper. Machine Mart do 3 all under £20.

And if you also want it for battery reconditioning it's ultimately not the best choice. It's not interested in batteries that have dropped below a threshold of around 8-9v for a start. I use a £100 Optimate (not sure which model without checking) and it's a beast. It managed to save a very, very knackered battery.

But the Ctek above is a good quality nice compromise in a single box for trickle charging+routine battery reconditioning at a little over half the price of the Optimate beast.