Portable CTEK

BeatMaster

BeatMaster

BeatMaster

Soldato
Joined
6 Dec 2002
Posts
3,400
Location
North East
I'm thinking of getting a CTEK MX5.0T for use over winter to ensure the battery is conditioned. However, I've got a major problem -- no mains electric due to location.

I was thinking of buying a jump starter battery pack to run the CTEK off but wasn't sure if anyone had used one in this configuration? Any recommendations on a suitable battery pack?

I wouldn't mind having to charge it maybe once a month?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts/recommendations :)
 
the ctek requires a 240v mains connection? hows a jump start pack going to do that? if its an inverter it wont last 5 minutes and the losses will be stupid.

surely you would be better going solar?
 
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I have the same CTEK but no way you will run it without a mains supply or a generator.

Could be a good time to get a supply put in your garage or wherever you store your car?
 
Solar is certainly an option but I like the idea of the CTEK as it's a battery conditioner, rather than just permanently charging the battery (apart from at night).

Sadly it won't be possible to put a mains supply into where I store the car, otherwise would have been ideal. I'm surprised CTEK don't offer a portable solution.
 
Assuming the car is being laid up for the winter I'd be more inclined to just remove the battery, keep it at home and connect it to the charger there.
 
Yarde said:
How about not being a massive wet blanket and just driving your RS all winter? :p
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:eek: The RS isn't compatible with snow/ice or even rain :o It's all about the two car family ;)

kaiowas said:
Assuming the car is being laid up for the winter I'd be more inclined to just remove the battery, keep it at home and connect it to the charger there.
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That's certainly an option, but would rather it was connected for alarm/settings etc
 
Presuming you can get 240V solar panels for not silly money, maybe get a UPS, plug the CTEK into that and the solar panels into the UPS to keep it topped up?
 
If you could find a 12v battery charger to run off a battery, then what are you going to use to keep the "charger" battery charged?

If you don't want the battery in the RS to go flat then just buy the biggest leisure battery (i.e. those used in caravans, on boats etc) you can afford, put it on the floor beside the RS and wire it in parallel (i.e. + to +, - to -) with the RS's battery (you can just use jump leads for this).

DON'T get a jump starter battery to do this - they are only around 15ah and about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
 
BeatMaster said:
Sadly it won't be possible to put a mains supply into where I store the car, otherwise would have been ideal. I'm surprised CTEK don't offer a portable solution.
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I'm not, it's a silly idea. If you must keep the battery connected up in the car then get a solar panel. The fact that the CTEK is a battery "conditioner" is irrelevant if you are simply using it to keep a battery float charged anyway.
 
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