Optimate or C-Tek car battery charger?

Foxhound5366

Foxhound5366

Honorary Master
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
11,238
Reaction score
4,964
Location
Big Smoke
I had three flat batteries during 2020. So after my Polo has spent a week in the dealer's workshop being tested by a master technician, had a new battery installed AND had the car tracker technician out to analyse the unit's electricity draw ... with no faults ... my only conclusion is I'm not driving nearly enough during lockdown.

I'm now ready to pull the trigger on one of these: my idea is just to leave the car's battery permanently connected to one of these in the garage, and then I don't have to worry about it anymore (just disconnect and go). Would that even work?

Here's the two I'm looking at: any preferences based on experiences here?

Screenshot_20210115-125320_takealot.jpg
Screenshot_20210115-125214_takealot.jpg
 
blowdart18 said:
If buying C-tek go through the agents, you save on average R300 to R400 compared to Takealot sometimes.

https://www.rectifier.co.za/
Click to expand...
Cool tip ... but is it any better than the OptiMate? They're the same price at Takealot anyway, but the OptiMate is a bigger box and seems to promise to do more things (is bigger better though). It also has an extra .1 stars in reviews lol, off a smaller base.
 
I have the ctec mxs 5.0. Charged my merc and use it religiously on the Porsches with those glass mat batteries (start/stop) ... Its works a treat . bought the 12v socket adaptor for it and no need for me to open the hood as the P cars have live 12V sockets ... It does come with a croc clip and eye socket adaptor as part of the retail package

I Can't compare it to other brands but its OEM equipment (rebranded) for many manufacturers (Porsche, merc, BMW etc) who sell these chargers
 
Last edited:
I have the Optimate 6 for a few years and never had any issues. Revived an old battery which I was about to replace.
Ctek are pretty good chargers as well.
 
I've got a PSA008 that i bought from Midas for under R1K. Doesn't look like they stock them anymore.
 
Definitely Ctek - I've got 2., one for the MG I don't drive, and the other for the mother-in law's Jetta. My vote gors to Ctek, it does what it says on the box.
 
Oh wow, look at this intriguing option:

Screenshot_20210115-174111_takealot.jpg

That's a really slick package, and it has all the smart protection functions.

Bosch makes so much equipment for OEMs, surely they'd know how to create one of these without wrecking vehicle electronics?
 
I have ben using 2 C-Tec MXS 5.0 one each on my Double Cab and Caravan. Did not have to replace a single battery since I got these.


m
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Oh wow, look at this intriguing option:

View attachment 994766

That's a really slick package, and it has all the smart protection functions.

Bosch makes so much equipment for OEMs, surely they'd know how to create one of these without wrecking vehicle electronics?
Click to expand...
Well, I watched some online videos and read reviews and everything was so positive for the C7 ... I pulled the trigger and ordered it through Takealot. Will report back on my findings, hopefully that's the end of my problems!!! Here's the manual, for anybody interested ... seems as easy as falling off a chair: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91eM0Iz4vQS.pdf
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Cool tip ... but is it any better than the OptiMate? They're the same price at Takealot anyway, but the OptiMate is a bigger box and seems to promise to do more things (is bigger better though). It also has an extra .1 stars in reviews lol, off a smaller base.
Click to expand...
Have a ctek and has been performing solidly. My flat battery problems disappeared for cars that I didnt drive much.
 
Optimate 4 for about 10 years now. Saved a few batteries over the years.

Either brand is good and both have accessories available for whichever connection you require.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Well, I watched some online videos and read reviews and everything was so positive for the C7 ... I pulled the trigger and ordered it through Takealot. Will report back on my findings, hopefully that's the end of my problems!!! Here's the manual, for anybody interested ... seems as easy as falling off a chair: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91eM0Iz4vQS.pdf
Click to expand...

The most important feature is that it auto starts after load shedding. Looks like a great charger should keep the battery happy.
 
B-1 said:
The most important feature is that it auto starts after load shedding. Looks like a great charger should keep the battery happy.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's getting delivered on Monday :) This is just another way COVID has impacted my life ... never had I ever assumed I'd buy a battery charger before in my life.
 
B-1 said:
The most important feature is that it auto starts after load shedding. Looks like a great charger should keep the battery happy.
Click to expand...
why would any battery charger not start charging by itself/automatically again after load shedding?
 
profa said:
why would any battery charger not start charging by itself/automatically again after load shedding?
Click to expand...

That's a good question but there are a few around that wait for you to press a button before continuing. Must be from countries where load shedding doesn't happen.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
That looks awesome value, but that's just a charger right, or does it do maintenance? The maintenance was the important part for me: just to be able to plug it and forget about it until I needed the car again.
Click to expand...
I'm a simple guy. I connect this up and it charges the battery. When it's done I pack it away although I guess I could leave it connected.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X