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Old 22nd November 2021, 09:38   #8
MSS
This is my second home
 
Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Suffolk
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I have CTEK - a MSX 0.8 and a MSX 5.0. The 0.8Amp device costs around £40 and is all that is needed for battery maintenance. The 5.0Amp device is useful as a charger and a maintainer. It also handles AGM batteries.

My Optimate failed after about 10 years of excellent service. It failed in a safe mode i.e. the output went open circuit.

I also have a cheap LIDL charger but can never bring myself to trust it on any of the cars as they all have expensive electronics. It does get used on the ride-on mower which has no electronics, just a starter solenoid driven by the starter key. Last year I noticed that the leads spark when connected to the battery. I need to check it as this suggests a current draw into the charger when not powered which would be a fault condition.
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