This device helps diagnose the battery to see if the battery can accept and hold a charge. Also, the Recond function will bring batteries back to life, even heavily sulfated and deeply discharged batteries.
The included instructions aren't informative.
The CTEK MXS 5.0 is a fully automatic charger with an informative LED display and great functionality. The device is capable of solving a wide range of charging problems and is perfect for demanding users.
12 V lead-acid batteries
15.8 V max, 5 A max
Battery clamps, Eyelet connectors, charger
Easy to read LED screen, Recond
IP65 splash and dust proof protection, Safe spark free operation, Reverse polarity protected, Short circuit proof
5 years
The advanced built-in thermal sensor automatically monitors and adjusts the charge cycle based on the ambient temperature, limiting the possibility of undercharging or overcharging.
The charge indicator continues blinking even when the charge is complete.
The NOCO GENIUS5UK is an intelligent device with high-quality performance and reliability, designed for use on any vehicle. The device is capable of detecting and charging discharged batteries with voltages up to 1 V.
6V and 12 V lead-acid batteries
12 V max, 5 A max
Battery Clamps with Integrated Eyelets, Charger with Interchangeable Connector, Mounting Bracket with Strap, 2 x Self-tapping Screws
Easy to read display, Start voltage sensor, Force mode, Auto memory, Battery maintainer, Trickle charger and battery desulfator
IP65 splash and dustproof protection, Integrated thermal sensor, Reverse polarity protection
3 years limited
There are 6 operating modes for you to choose from, including CAR / TRUCK, Motorcycle, AGM, Repair, Summer, and Winter mode. In this case, you can choose the desired mode with just the press of a button.
The mains lead and the output leads could be a tad bit longer.
The BUDDYGO Car Battery Charger is designed for 12V and 24V batteries, supports a wide input voltage range of 110 - 265V, automatically adjusts the current, easily handles power surges, and provides safe and efficient charging.
12V and 24 V lead-acid batteries
24 V max, 8 A max
Charger, battery clamps
LCD screen, 3 stage charging, 6 working modes (one-button switching)
Overcharging protection, Overvoltage protection, Overcurrent protection, Overheating protection, Low voltage protection, etc.
1 year
This new product from NOCO has a 35% smaller size and 35% more power than older models over its entire service life. At the same time, the device constantly monitors the battery and ensures safe and efficient charging.
The output current is low.
The NOCO GENIUS1UK is an intelligent charger ideal for charging batteries in cars, trucks, boats, motor vehicles, lawnmowers, and other vehicles. The device is incredibly easy to use, eliminates the risk of overcharging, and has a robust, protected case.
6V and 12 V lead-acid batteries
12 V max, 1 A max
Battery Clamps with Integrated Eyelets, Charger with Interchangeable Connector
Easy to read display, Start voltage sensor, Force mode, Auto detection, Auto repair
IP60 housing protection, Reverse polarity protection, Temperature compensation for accurate recharging
3 years limited
The integrated handle on the charger enables its convenient transportation. The charging gauge is intuitive and straightforward making it easy to see the current charging status. The overall ergonomic design of the model makes it one of the more convenient options to carry around.
It is not suitable for vehicles with the engine capacity of over 1.8 litres.
Those customers who need an affordable and easy-to-use battery charger will definitely appreciate this model from Sakura. It will not only charge your flat battery but will also help extend its service life.
12 V lead-acid batteries
14.4 V max, 6 A max
Charger, Battery clamps
Built-in carrying handle, Easy-to-read charging gauge
Reverse polarity protection
1 year
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CTEK (MXS 5.0)
A General Purpose Charger for Any Battery
While jump starters are considered universal devices for starting petrol engines quickly, nothing can really compare to the versatility of stationary models. But how do you pick the one that can work with various types of engines? Fortunately, this model from CTEK is, perhaps, the most versatile of them all.
First things first, the stationary car battery chargers don’t have a built-in battery, and the MXS 5.0 is not an exception to the rule. While its design takes the portability aspect out of the question, that’s where the fun begins.
The package includes a set of different clamps that can accommodate virtually any vehicle that runs on fuel, including car, truck, and motorcycle batteries. The first set of clamps are your regular car battery clamps that connect to the standard 12 V Lead-Acid models. The other two, however, are more suitable for smaller battery variants, including those with two-pins terminals, and smaller, battery terminal connectors.
While portable models need to be charged in advance, the stationary ones can work straight away as soon as you plug them into a power socket. The only thing you absolutely need to do, though, is to pick a required charging mode before you connect the clamps to a battery. Once set, the device will charge the battery in a matter of hours, or, alternatively, will allow jump-starting your vehicle in under a couple of minutes.
Protecting Your Battery With Ease
As for other convenience features and quality-of-life improvements, using this model from CTEK allows prolonging the service life of the battery up to 3 times, which is not a small feat, considering how fast some batteries can become inoperable using simple charging adapters.
Alternatively, more accessories from CTEK are optionally available, so, if you want to purchase a protective bumper or a longer power cord, you can ensure that the device will work flawlessly by ordering one.
Last but not least, unlike many other models widely available on the market, the MXS 5.0 comes with an impressive, 5-year warranty on all components listed in the kit, which is a big plus in our book.
All in all, using a stationary jump starter is a perfect way to charge flat batteries of your vehicle in case you don’t have an adapter in your garage. However, if you own more than one vehicle with different batteries, this model from CTEK will be an excellent product to consider. Simple and easy to use and maintain, it is a cost-efficient charger that will not only allow you to start your vehicle but also won’t harm the power cells of the battery itself.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £57.50 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00FC42HAA |
NOCO (GENIUS5UK)
Intelligent Charging
Charging up your car battery may not seem like it's an overly complicated process, but there is actually more going on behind the scenes than most people realise. Charging has a lot of aspects to it that are unseen, and it is important to make sure that a charge is done right in order to preserve the battery. That is why it is important to have an intelligent car battery charger like the NOCO GENIUS5UK. This is an intelligent device with high-quality performance and reliability, designed for use on any vehicle. The device is capable of detecting and charging discharged batteries with voltages as low as 1 V, and what's more, it is able to ensure that your car battery is able to last for longer than it normally would.
This car battery charger actually does a lot more than just charge your car's battery - it actually serves as an all-in-one solution for keeping your battery health in prime condition. In addition to charging, this device also serves as a battery maintainer, keeping it well balanced so it doesn't lose its performance, as well as providing trickle charging and working as a battery desulfator. On top of all of that, this device is 34% smaller than the previous model from the same manufacturer, yet it delivers 65% more power, so it is quite clear that this particular car battery charger is quite an engineering feat.
Precision Work
One of the key aspects of how this battery charger is able to keep your vehicle's battery in top health is in its precision charging. The advanced built-in thermal sensor automatically monitors and adjusts the charge cycle based on the ambient temperature, which seriously limits the possibility of undercharging or overcharging, two things that can be detrimental to a battery's health. This is especially important depending on the type of climate that you are in, as more extreme climates can cause these ambient temperature issues, which in turn degrade your battery's performance and health. With this charger, though, such issues will be a thing of the past.
As mentioned before, this device is actually quite a bit smaller than the previous model by the same company, and in turn is much smaller than a lot of other competing models, which aids its portability. The interface for the charger is actually quite simple to use, with it containing a single mode button to allow you to switch between the battery types. The charging indicator also informs you of when it is charging, but just be aware that the light may not stop blinking even when the charging is complete. In the end, this car battery charger will help save you a lot of time and trouble due to its exemplary performance.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £59.39 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0828HLDZC |
BUDDYGO (CT005)
Great All-In-One Charger
Just a few years ago, most car battery chargers were pretty simple devices that didn't really do much more than just help charge your vehicle's battery. With the new wave of devices that have arrived, however, car battery chargers are now expected to do a lot more due to the increase in functionality that the advance of technology has provided. In that sense, you certainly won't be disappointed with the BUDDYGO 8-Amp Intelligent Automatic Car Battery Charger. This device, which has been designed for 12V and 24V batteries, supports a wide input voltage range of 110 - 265V, automatically adjusts the current, easily handles power surges, and provides safe and efficient charging. In short, it's a great all-in-one charger that will be the ultimate tool for your vehicle's battery.
With the description above, it might be a fairer assessment to consider this device a "battery maintainer" rather than a battery charger, due to how well it extends and improves your vehicle battery's performance. This particular charger has a wide range of applications that makes it useful for more than just charging your car battery. In fact, it handles most battery types, including calcium and wet batteries, which allows it to work quite well with batteries for almost any type of vehicle.
6 Operating Modes
The flexibility of this charger that was mentioned above comes down to the different operating modes that this device provides. There are a total 6 operating modes for you to choose from, including CAR / TRUCK, Motorcycle, AGM, Repair, Summer, and Winter modes. The CAR / TRUCK mode works best for standard car and truck batteries. The Motorcycle mode works not just with motorcycle batteries but also lets you trickle charge a larger battery. The Repair mode works well for helping to restore batteries that are no longer holding a charge well, and the Summer and Winter modes provide extra protection for your battery while charging it in extreme conditions.
Speaking of the protections provided, this device helps in maintaining your battery's health by providing protection against overcharging, overvoltage, and overcurrent. Overheating and low voltage protection is also present here, so you can be assured that charging your vehicle's battery won't lead to any performance degradation. The device itself is extremely simple to use and provides a powerful yet easily understandable interface complete with an LCD screen to show you the current charging status. With all of the above-mentioned features, it is easy to see why this car battery charger will be a great choice for keeping your vehicle's battery in top condition.
| Last updated price | £27.89 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07ZNL3MC4 |
NOCO (GENIUS1)
Best For Smaller Batteries
Some of the larger chargers on this list, including the previously reviewed NOCO model, are best used for larger batteries but may seem to be a bit overkill for smaller ones. If you find yourself needing a charger for a smaller battery, then you may want to take a look at the NOCO GENIUS1 1-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger. This 1-Amp car battery charger is a great choice for those who only need to worry about charging smaller batteries and don't want the larger size or complexity of the larger models.
Right off the bat, you'll notice that this charger is quite similar to the larger 5-amp model reviewed earlier. Just like its counterpart, this 1-amp model is an intelligent charger ideal for charging batteries in cars, trucks, boats, motor vehicles, lawnmowers, and other vehicles, especially ones with smaller batteries. The device is incredibly easy to use, eliminates the risk of overcharging along with other protections, and has a robust, protected case that will keep it well-protected. It works perfectly well for 6-volt and 12-volt lead-acid vehicle batteries and also supports a wide range of different battery types, so it is well suited for vehicles other than cars, including lawnmowers, motorcycles, and even boats.
Compact and Efficient
Just like the larger NOCO model reviewed earlier, the GENIUS1 has a 35% smaller size and 35% more power than older models, giving you an extremely compact device that is more powerful despite its smaller size. It also has the same level-to-detail charging that the larger model includes, as the device constantly monitors the battery and ensures safe and efficient charging while helping to protect the battery. The included protections and precision charging ensure that your vehicle's battery will remain in top working order, and in fact, it is able to help repair batteries that are no longer holding their charge.
Operating this device is as simple as it can possibly be. You'll notice just a single button on the front of the device which is used for changing the mode to work with different battery voltages. The large green light provides a charging indicator that lets you know when the battery is charging, negating the need for a fancy LCD screen that you'll see on some other models. The only thing you will want to keep in mind with this particular charger is that it provides a lower output current of only 1 amp, so those who have larger batteries may find a higher-powered model to be more suited to their needs. Still, though, not everyone needs a higher-powered model, and if you find yourself in this camp, then this model is definitely worth a look.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £21.19 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0828HMG3N |
Sakura (SS3630)
Classic Solution
If your vehicle is fitted with a lead-acid battery, the type of charger you need should be something like the Sakura SS3630 6A, a car battery charger specially designed for charging said batteries. Lead-acid batteries use a special charging algorithm known as constant CC/CV (current/constant voltage). The constant current of the charge influences the battery gradually increasing the voltage. When this voltage reaches a certain value, the charging current goes down to the saturation level. The total charging time on average makes 12-16 hours for conventional batteries and 36-48 for special industrial heavy-duty models. The lead-acid electrochemical system is rather slow and can not be charged as quickly as others.
Charging the lead-acid battery should consist of three stages:
- the mode of charge maintenance.
The DC charge delivers most of the energy and takes about half the time from the entire charging process; the saturation charge uses lower current and is necessary to achieve the full charge, and the maintenance mode compensates the losses caused by self-discharge.
Simple and Affordable
With the Sakura SS3630 6A Battery Charger, you won't need to worry about leaving a radio on for the whole night. Even if you wake up and find out that the battery of your car is dead, you won't have a problem to bring it back to life in mere minutes. The Sakura SS3630 6A is suitable for all vehicles with engine capacity 1.8 litres or less, which covers a good range. It comes fitted with alligator clips and works from the mains.
All things considered, you can seriously consider purchasing the Sakura SS3630 6A Battery Charger should you need a charger for lead-acid batteries. It's budget-friendly, small in size and very convenient in terms of storage and transportation. Keeping this charger handy, you'll never end up with a flat battery on the road.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £20.32 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B004A9165U |
What Is a Car Battery Charger?
A modern person is surrounded by a lot of different machines that work on batteries. This is a mobile phone, a laptop, an electric tool, a flashlight, various vehicles and, of course, a car. We cannot imagine our life today without cars. They are everywhere. Long gone are the days when a car was regarded as something of a luxury, in present days cars have become one of the more convenient ways to commute around the city as well as travel on long trips. The only inconvenience driving a car entails is maintaining its battery, which means a driver should always carry a special car battery charger along with him no matter where he goes. A car battery charger is a small device which usually works off a power socket to supply the connected battery with electricity. These chargers come in various capacities and can be used to charge a battery not only of a car but also of a boat, snowmobile, lawnmower and other vehicles and tools that use power.
To maintain the engine of your vehicle in a good condition, it is important that you feed it with high-quality motor oil. Also, you may want to get a special car vacuum cleaner to tidy up the interior of your vehicle and clean it off all dirt that might have stuck between the seats and upholstery. While applying a little bit of wax to the outer of the car will let you make it shine anew.
What Features to Compare
Compatibility
Selecting the right battery charger for a car, motorbike or a boat, first of all, check whether the device is compatible with the model you chose. Basically, each car battery has its rated capacity specified in Amp-hours (Ah), while chargers usually provide the value of the charging current or output amperage they deliver (A). If you want your device to charge the battery faster, you need to consider the models with a higher output current rate. However, it's equally important to know the voltage of the battery of your vehicle. Passenger vehicles and motorcycles are typically equipped with 6V and 12V batteries, while 24V batteries are commonly used on trucks and other transport devices with diesel engines.
Special Features
There are other important points to consider when choosing a vehicle battery charger. For example, extra connectors included in supply packages of some charging devices of this type provide more flexibility of use and simplify their connection to different battery posts. Some chargers come with built-in LED indicators that show battery charge status and provide information about the current device operating mode.
Safety
As you have already known, it's very important to take safety precautions when working with electricity, and using a car battery charger is not an exception. To ensure user's safety of use, some chargers come equipped with crucial safety features such as protection from reverse polarity connection, overcharging, short circuit. As for protection measures, many of them may come integrated into the charger body, thus we recommend considering it carefully. The best options offer all the listed protection features.
Did you know?
What Influences a Car Battery Life
Such a complex mechanism and component of a car as a battery has several important factors which affect its overall performance. To understand how to maintain the battery, you need to consider each factor separately:
- Level of charge. It is an important factor which directly influences the long-term work. To increase it, try to keep the level of charge as high as possible. Watch for the level of charge. Do not ignore network charging.
- Work temperature. Its degree impacts the starting capacity of a battery. When exposed to cold temperatures on a discharged battery, electrolytes can simply freeze. In summer, it can lead to evaporation of the liquid from the electrolyte.
- Car electronics. This is probably the most important factor out of all. A faulty generator supplying too high voltage can destroy the battery and is likely to "overboil". Excessive charging also destroys the structure of the electrodes inside the battery.
- Corrosion and sulfation. No one is insured against these. Corrosion and sulfation come in the result of constant work and is a natural consequence of frequent exploitation. However, if you use distilled water when servicing the battery, you will be able to prevent the early corrosion appearance and prolong the battery service life on the whole.
Some Interesting Facts
- The battery is a chemical source of current. Accordingly, the Arrhenius equation on the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction works here. In winter, the battery absorbs and gives off charge worse.
- "Super-modern" AGM and gel batteries were invented in the 20s of last century. Surprised?
- Modern batteries really serve much less time than their predecessors did 25 years ago. However, new batteries have much higher current characteristics.
- In winter, even a new charged battery on a regularly used car can get low. At low temperatures, the battery takes charge worse than in warm season. For this reason, a working battery in winter can easily lose the charge, especially if a car is used for short trips around the city when the engine rotational rate does not exceed 3,000.
- In winter, the battery should be periodically removed from the car and charged after being warmed in the air to a certain temperature. Warming a cold battery in hot water is not recommended: because of the rapid temperature changes, the active mass of the plates may shed.
- The parking lights are the most dangerous for the battery. They do not turn off after pulling out the key and keep on consuming energy until the complete battery "exhaustion". A few hours is enough even for a new German battery to lose its charge in the cold.
Charge!
- Absolutely dead battery once on a frosty Monday morning - that's often the reason for the collapse of so many brilliant careers. So what do you do? Do not hesitate to charge it! When properly charged, in most cases, it is restored to its original state. Thus, the battery comes to life and continues working.
- Do not replace the battery while the engine is running. Disconnecting and connecting the battery causes voltage fluctuations, which can provoke malfunctions in the electrical equipment of your car.
- Chargers powered by an electrical network are the fastest and easiest to use: the battery can be put on charge at the programmed time.
FAQ:
Q: Does the size of a car battery charger matter?
A: Yes, it does. Using a smaller battery charger than recommended typically takes longer to charge the battery to the same level. However, if you are planning to use the charger only for the maintenance, it will handle this task quite easily. A car battery charger with higher output current will charge batteries quicker but may shorten their lifetime.
Q: Is it important to ensure correct charging voltage?
A: Basically, the value of float and high rate voltages is determined and specified by the battery manufacturer. It depends on two factors: battery chemistry and its build. Deviating from the recommended values will naturally result in the battery undercharge or overcharge, and therefore reduce the battery’s lifetime and performance.
Q: What is a maintenance mode of a battery charger/maintainer?
A: In a maintenance mode, the charger/maintainer keeps the full battery charge at the same level by supplying the current in small portions when necessary. Typically, if the actual battery voltage drops below a certain preset level, the unit switches to the charging mode and performs the charging until the battery voltage returns to the full charge level. Then the appliance switches back to the maintenance mode. Usually, chargers switch between these modes automatically.
Q: How long can I leave a charger connected to the battery?
A: It actually depends on the type of a vehicle battery charger you use. Typically, a battery charger should be left connected to a battery until the battery is fully charged. If you're planning to utilise a manual charger, it should be disconnected as soon as the battery charge level has reached its full. The point is that such chargers do not shut down by themselves and continue to supply electricity to the battery even in case the battery has got already charged. Automatic chargers, in turn, usually ensure optimal charging mode and prevent overcharging of the battery. Automatic chargers don't change operational parameters of a battery to such a large extent as manual chargers, however, they are also not designed for an uninterrupted use with batteries. Therefore, it's reasonable and safer to disconnect car battery chargers from the battery after the charging is complete.
Q: What is a microprocessor-controlled smart battery charger?
A: A microprocessor-controlled battery charger is a device which controls all aspects of a battery charging to increase the charging rate and lifetime of the battery. Basically, these chargers collect all necessary information from the battery and adjust the charging current and voltage based on this information. This approach enables the charger to charge your battery quickly, and completely. In addition, a fast intelligent charging doesn't affect working parameters of the battery and its lifetime.
Sources:
1. Tips for Choosing the Right Car Battery Charger, DoItYourself.com.
2. Automotive battery, Wikipedia. February 26, 2017.
3. Selecting the right battery charger, RACQ.
4. How to Use a Car Battery Charger, HowStuffWorks.
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