CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger

Well, I already have a CTEK MXS 10 which (at present) is faultless, so I decided to purchase an additional MXS 5.0.went I first got it, I was very pleased. However, on only the second use, the mode button was a bit sticky before I managed to select the right mode.On the third use, the mode button was stuck on Motorcycle and no matter how I tried, it proved impossible to select any other mode.Googling, this issue, it is apparent that this is a common issue with this unit, and has been for years. The initial fix was to open the case and spray the contacts on the pcb with contact cleaner. CTEK then decided to completely seal the case making it impossible to open the case without destroying it, whilst still utilising the same crappy mode button contacts.Despite complaining to CTEK, I can not tesolve the issue. CTEK responded by answering a completely different question (that I did not ask) and not responding to my query/complaint.Absolute rubbish. Don't waste your hard earned cash on this useless charger.That said, I do recommend the MXS 10, of which I have two, but I can not recommend the MXS 5.0.Sorry CTEK, but you really need to resolve this isue.

I have a rarely used BMW 6 Series, and a very old BMW 5 series, and both need periodic re-charging.Whilst I have an old charger, a little on-line research reveals that the mis-use of an old or basic charger on a modern car with complex electronics can result in very expensive accidents. One BMW 6 series owner received a £1800.00 bill for repairing damage caused by an incorrectly applied jump start. So, it makes sense to buy a modern charger, with numerous built-in safety measures, that allows you to safely charge batteries in-situ.The CTEK MXS 5.00 is the best model for my batteries, which are 110mAh. It took 8 hours to charge each battery, from almost flat to fully charged.It's noteworthy that these chargers are designed to optimise the way that the battery is charged, to prolong the batteries' life. A high charge rate alone results in a poor crystalline structure on the battery plates, resulting in poor charge and life. These units automatically apply a slow charge to a flat battery, to gradually build up the crystalline structure, followed by a high charge when appropriate, then a trickle charge to top it off.Considering the cost of damaging your car's electrics and/or replacing a large battery, the cost of these chargers is a sensible investment.One tip - if, when the charger is initially switched on, neither the fault light nor the charging lights come on, the charger has not detected the battery and it will switch itself off after a minute. Just switch-off the charger, "grind" the crocodile clip connectors a little to ensure there's a good electric contact, and try again.

I would love to say that I love this charger. When you first get it and use it, it is perfect - an extremely useful piece of kit.However though I have had this charger for a little over 4 years it has fallen to the same fault that pretty much everyone else gets which is the inability to change the charging programmes because the button stops working. I believe that this fault actually developed at about 18 months old but the programme it is stuck on was the one I wanted at the time, so I didn't notice.The videos you see on youtube show a way to fix this (by opening the case). Unfortunately, the one I received has a fixed molded case (no screws) with no way of opening it without destroying the case.I have used this approximately 5 times and have always stored this inside its' soft case in a safe place.I am extremely displeased with a product that only lasts a few years, especially bearing in mind the amount it costs.Buyer beware, this is the iphone of chargers.

After a holiday break my wife's Audi A3 was as dead as a Dodo when she came to get it out of the garage. I compared products on Amazon and the highly-rated CTEK was an obvious choice, and ordered on PRIME it arrived the following day. The device is much smaller than the battery chargers of old, but at first sight the 62-page User Manual is quite intimidating - not to worry! it is printed in 10 languages and only the first four pages in English are relevant! In fact, only the diagram on the back cover is all you need!Charging is simple. The battery can be charged in situ. Connect the colour-coded crocodile clips to the positive (+) and negative (-) battery terminals. Plug the UK plug into a mains socket and the "Power" light comes on, press the "Mode" button until the light next to the "Car" symbol lights up. That's it! A series of orange lights shows the progress of the charge from "1" to "7", -where 7 is a full charge. A 60Ah Battery will take approximately 12 hours charging to reach 80% of full charge (according to the instruction manual). There are other options on the "Mode" button, including a reconditioning mode for an annual battery maintenance boost , but for a basic charge that's all you need.The Mains lead from UK mains plug to device is 1.3m and from device to crocodile clips is also 1.3m. The crocodile clips can be attached/detached from the lead via a push-fit connection. The charger itself has two holes in the base for wall mounting, or possibly fixing to the vehicle. There are also two M6 eyelet connectors as an alternative to the crocodile clips.I am well-pleased with this charger, It's neat, simple to use, and above all - it does the job! Recommended!!

Excellent piece of kit. With a plethora of cheap 'smart' chargers out there you could be forgiven for saying "it's only a battery charger". How wrong you would be! Some just blast the cells, others have 3 or 5 step charging and even more have high current. If like me you own several vehicles all with differing size batteries, and one is a gel mat type, then you do not need a sledge hammer charger if you want your battery to give you the life you hoped it would. I wouldn't have chose this model if I had gone on the 'tech specs' as it suggested it wasn't for motorcycles. It arrived and it has a motorcycle battery function and the A/hr rating went sufficiently low to cope with the 10A/hr one on the Honda CBF125.I am not easily impressed, more often than not tech' gear never quite fulfills the grand claims. So when this item can charge a gel battery, low A/hr and then put it into maintenance charging as well as coping with a high A/hr car battery, carry out a deep charge with desulphidation, then give it a float charge followed by a maintenance cycle it has to be a bit special. It has the ooomph to get you to a usable state of charge without being on for days, but does it with care for the battery - or else it tells you that the battery is a duffer!Coloured lights indicate the state-of-play and the unit comes with a remote access charging socket that you can permanently strap across the terminals, meaning no disconnecting the battery. The claim is that the voltage is very low ripple so no disruption to electronics. What is even nicer is that you also get 'plug in' crocodile clips for the vehicles you don't need the remote charge socket for. Additional accessories are easily available and not expensive. I opted for a 'comfort socket' which has three lights on that let you know visually the state of the battery. Great for my daughters bike that may stand for long periods. Highly recommended for its full features, robust construction and ease of buying accessories. AND, if the price makes you wince, consider the cost of a new battery and the inconvenience of going nowhere too soon. My bike gel mat battery cost £45 and a decent size car battery will set you back £100+. This is an investment in having a degree of certainty.