Anyone here use a battery conditioner to keep their battery fighting fit while their car is laid up for winter?

If so what one do you recommend? Would like something that is easy to attach rather than having to prop the bonnet up and use crocodile clips.

 

I've got two Opitmates and a Accumate for the cars and bikes. They do what they say on the tin. Comes with Tamiya r/c car style connectors (easily obtained from Maplin etc), which can be hard wired to the battery instead of using the crock clips (thats how I have them wired on the bikes as the batteries are under the seats).

Cousin has a CTek on his cossie which works just as well, although his battery has recently died from having insufficient electrolyte - the fact he never checked the levels in the battery since it was new (7 years ago) means we can't be sure if it was the car or the charger that caused it (probably the car; its an old Ford, afterall ).

 

Accumate here as well. On the Scoob I used the hardwire kit and brought out the plug just to the side of the number plate, don't even need to open the bonnet then. You DO however need to remember it's plugged in, I used to leave a tag on the door handle to remind me.

 

Thanks both for the replies and that's an excellent idea Allan regarding the plug next to the plate.

 

The Oxford maximiser 3800 works well £60-ish

 

I use a cTek , and have just bought another CTek as well as very pleased with the first one I bought, they work great and are easy to connect with easy connector , can plug in with out even lifting the bonnet,

 

IIRC I made a small right angled bracket and fitted the connector to it, then just mounted it in opening, discrete and easy to use

 

optimate here, works a treat.

 

Ctek. I'm sure you get it on other products but I love the fact that you can leave the plugs attached to the battery and just use the quick disconnect...close the bonnet...and you're off.

 

I just use the Halfords £25 one, lead led to by the bonnet hinge on the passenger side, all I need to do is reach under and the connect the lead up.

 

Perfect solution and exactly what I was loking for, cheers

 

I've been looking at one of these myself and have also been recommended the CTEK range.

I was looking at the CTEK MXS 5.0

http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/MXS%205.0

Anyone used one/got one?

 

I use the MXS 3.6 which is probably lower spec than the 5.0, I've used it for the last 2 years and it's brilliant. The easy connections and simple operation mean you can swap it between vehicles when you need (I leave one set permanently connected to my battery and use the crocodile clips for any other car). I can highly recommend the CTEK charger I have.

 

I;ve had one of the ctek ones for a few years now, great bit of kit. slightly older model but works a treat

 

I've got that exact one, it's the best charger I've ever owned. I bought it from Amazon incidentally.

 

C-tek as advised by RCM

I've never looked back (or had a flat battery since)

 

Well I ordered myself one of these and it arrived today.

I've connected it using the "hardwire" kit rather than the crocodile clips. At the moment I've got the bonnet propped open about 300mm but I've noticed people on here saying they keep the bonnet closed using this kit. Isn't there a risk of a build up of gases from the battery with the bonnet closed?

 

I have noticed a few models of the CTEK i think the only differnce between them is the size of battery they can charge? I noticed one on halfords site for £36 which is for batteries up to 32Ah. Think i will get one myself tomorrow saves messing about with clips ect.

 

I think they have slightly different options/functions on them as they go up the range too. Amazon had some good prices. Mine was about £25 cheaper than RRP on there.

 

I've used a Ctec for the passed 5 years with the bonnet closed and not had any problems.
I also use one on my Ride on Jonn Deere tractor through the winter