Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
WOODY179 wrote:
Just taken it off charge as according to the CTEK unit it was on step 7 float.
Hi Woody and please don’t take the charger off the battery when it goes into float.
You will get the best results for your battery by leaving the charger connected for up to 8 to 10 hours after the charger goes into float mode.
While the bulk of the USABLE battery capacity is charged by the time a charger goes into float mode, but by leaving it in float mode, you will improve the condition of the battery and this usually increases the usable capacity back up to or close to what the battery had when it was new.
This is also why continual short drives result in low charged batteries, because the battery is neither fully charged or conditioned.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
8th Nov 2013 11:55 am
DigitalJunior
Member Since: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 4398
How long does a CTEK 10 take to get to the float point (7) ?
8th Nov 2013 12:25 pm
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi digitaljunior and that is a difficult question to give a definitive answer.
You need to factor in the size of the battery being charged and how low the battery is when you start the charge and variants of these two factors can mean a small battery in a near fully charged state might go into float charge in an hour or so but a large battery in a low state may take all night to get to a float charge.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
8th Nov 2013 1:08 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
drivesafe wrote:
WOODY179 wrote:
Just taken it off charge as according to the CTEK unit it was on step 7 float.
Hi Woody and please don’t take the charger off the battery when it goes into float.
Thanks for the advice, had to take it off really as I don't like cables running outside when it's dark, especially as we live near a park. It's back on charge now and will remove charger when it gets dark, if necessary repeating again tomorrow.
8th Nov 2013 2:45 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
Robbie,
I am still get warning messages to say that the battery is low
I put it on charge Friday morning, by 8pm the CTEK was indicating a full charge, but I left it on charge until 1130 am Sunday. I checked the battery voltage just before I disconnected the charger and it was 12.2 V - even though the charger said it was fully charged. Immediately after disconnecting the charger it dropped to 12.15 v
Do I have a faulty battery or is this normal for a AGM battery?
29th Dec 2013 1:15 pm
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi Woody and just a wild guess but it actually sounds like you may have a faulty charger.
Your float charge voltage should have been at least 13.2v but usually around the 13.6v2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
29th Dec 2013 1:43 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
It would not be normal so drivesafe says, suspect the charger or perhaps your voltmeter (pretty rare) before condemning the battery.
I could test it for you but I am 40 miles away. Perhaps someone is closer to you but if you find yourself out this way I am happy to do it.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
Thanks for the offer
Its the Ctek MXS 5.0 purchased in October 2012 - just found out that its now discontinued.
Just checked the battery again with a neighbours meter and looks like its a faulty charger.
No wonder the battery low message has been plaguing me for the last few months
Now to have a chat with Amazon
29th Dec 2013 3:13 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
Just had a text chat with Amazon, the support guy was very helpful and friendly too.
He said normally they would just send an immediate replacement, but as the item was now discontinued all they could offer was a full refund once they receive the faulty unit back - they even pay the return postage.
Just need to look for a new charger, needs to be another CTEK but possibly a more powerful version - especially if I decide to get an IIDTool in the near future.
29th Dec 2013 3:29 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Glad you have found the root cause!
As for chargers - well I recommend the MXS10. It has all the features, an option for temperature control, good power, 10 Amp supply mode and the ability to be connected via comfort connectors inc via tow electrics. At only 10 amps it is not recommended for major reprogramming, but I do use it for a top-up whilst doing minor CCF changes with IID.
For major reprogramming you need at least the Ctek MXS25 - but as with all high output chargers it can only be connected direct to the battery and a suitable ground point; so not exactly convenient for more routine use. Please note that LR recommend 50 amps for reprogramming but many of us have used the 25 amp Ctek and as long as the battery is ok and conditions are not arctic it has proven to be a reliable source of power.
I have owned an MXS25 (now sold) and currently own an MXS7, MXS10 and use a Ring RSCPR35 (35 Amp) for reprogramming.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
Thanks for your help Robbie
Will have a look at the MXS10 and see what the best price is.
29th Dec 2013 3:59 pm
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi Woody and also have a look at the Sterling battery chargers.
You can get a 50 amp charger but set it at 12.5 amps to use the rear plug on the RR for charging and battery maintenance.
Loads of other useful features as well.
I know most people thing the Cteks are the ants pants but I have seen too many of them fail and is the very reason I suggested your problem may be the charger.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
Last edited by drivesafe on 29th Dec 2013 7:01 pm. Edited 1 time in total
29th Dec 2013 6:12 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Sterlings are fine chargers indeed but are best part of £400 in the UK and most of them are not keen on the UK's wet weather either if you need to charge outside.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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