Battery Charger

[rjwojcik]

I also use the CTEK MXS 5.0.

I have a couple of these extenders, so the charger stays in the garage.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

[RickN55]

I also use the CTEK MXS 5.0.

I have a couple of these extenders, so the charger stays in the garage.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

Might get one of these for mine. Thanks for the recommendation.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[Ja50nK]

Or the Noco equivalent is generally cheaper. I've got one and it is great.

Sent from my SM-N986B using Tapatalk

[RickN55]

Arrived today. Very happy with the service from Cotswold BMW eBay, the charger feels very well made and well worth buying imo if you're like me and don't use your car much especially more so with all the lockdownsl

I've just hid the lot under the bonnet and ran the extension wire up through the wipers so it's all out of sight and can't be tampered with.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[moulin12]

Also the BMW I read is set up for AGM batteries you don't have to select it like the CTEK one, it also charges 120AH batteries which I will need for the 120d as that is a AGM120ah. Pretty sure I read CTEK is only upto 110AH? (Maybe wrong as I only glanced quickly).

I thought the BMW one is simply the CTEK MXS 5.0 rebranded, I might be wrong though.

--

I don't think the BMW charger has a direct replica in the CTEK range. It's a 4.3 amp, as compared to the 3.8. 5.0, and 7.0 CTEKs and is unique is being able to charge both lead-acid and li-lion batteries, meaning that it's suitable across the BMW / Mini range. So whilst it is made by CTEX it's designed for BMW for them to be able to offer a universal charger for their range of cars.

Price-wise, from many BMW dealers it's not far off the price of the 5.0*, but in addition to having the eyelets included, the 5.0 also has cold charge and dedicated desulfation modes (in place of the li-ion capability). The 5.0 also, apparently, allows you to test your generator and starter motor. I've seen reports that the desulfication on the smaller CTEXs isn't up to much, but have no idea if that's true.

As eyelet can be bought separately at low cost, it's one of them really, either will do, and price-wise not a great deal in it. But unless you think the li-ion is going to come in handy, if you can get a deal on the 5.0, go for that.

*some sellers on ebay taking the p*ss - it shouldn't be more than 69 quid

[RickN55]

Yes they are definitely different products just both made by CTEK. See pics the BMW has totally different options to the CTEK to select.
Not really sure which is the better one? Also it says it is 5V output on the back if I've read it correctly?

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[moulin12]

Just to add to the confusion, I believe the previous CTEX bmw branded charger was the mus 5.0, whilst CTEX used to sell a CTEX 4.3....

[Octavius]

LiFePO4 batteries. What are they. Another term for AGM ?

[marco_polo]

No, completely different.

Half the size/weight, more robust, longer life, 3 - 4 times the cost.

[RickN55]

LiFePO4 batteries. What are they. Another term for AGM ?

Totally different to AGM according to the charging settings..

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[Octavius]

You learn something new every day.
Will have to do some reading up on them.

[50pence]

Just to add to the confusion, I believe the previous CTEX bmw branded charger was the mus 5.0, whilst CTEX used to sell a CTEX 4.3....

I did a bit of research last night after reading your previous post. Yes, there is an earlier BMW branded CTEK charger though it isn't a re-branded MXS 5.0, from pictures it doesn't have a specific AGM function, rather it has the "snowflake" cold weather function like the MXS 3.8 though it also has the "recond" function like the MXS 5.0.

The newer one, as per Rick's above, also doesn't have a specific AGM function, instead it has "normal" and "Li-ion" for both small and large batteries.

The question is whether this "normal" function is ideal for AGM batteries? As the MXS 5.0 features both normal and AGM functions.

--

[robsaboy]

My understanding is the snowflake function is for AGM batteries. BMW suggest 14.8v for charging AGM batteries and the snowflake mode is higher @14.7v than normal mode so more suited. I have an email from Ctek technical support saying they would only use Recon mode if the battery shows signs of failing and is safe for AGM use. Some voltage details here from Varta showing 14.8v for the main charging stage who supply many BMW batteries: https://www.varta-automotive.com/bg-bg/ ... ar-battery

[50pence]

Yes, CTEK say that the snowflake function on the MXS 3.8 is for normal batteries in cold weather and for AGM batteries.

Though the newer BMW branded one doesn't have the snowflake function or a specific AGM function.

--

[neilmcl]

Also the BMW I read is set up for AGM batteries you don't have to select it like the CTEK one, it also charges 120AH batteries which I will need for the 120d as that is a AGM120ah. Pretty sure I read CTEK is only upto 110AH? (Maybe wrong as I only glanced quickly).

I thought the BMW one is simply the CTEK MXS 5.0 rebranded, I might be wrong though.

--

I don't think the BMW charger has a direct replica in the CTEK range. It's a 4.3 amp, as compared to the 3.8. 5.0, and 7.0 CTEKs and is unique is being able to charge both lead-acid and li-lion batteries, meaning that it's suitable across the BMW / Mini range. So whilst it is made by CTEX it's designed for BMW for them to be able to offer a universal charger for their range of cars.

Price-wise, from many BMW dealers it's not far off the price of the 5.0*, but in addition to having the eyelets included, the 5.0 also has cold charge and dedicated desulfation modes (in place of the li-ion capability). The 5.0 also, apparently, allows you to test your generator and starter motor. I've seen reports that the desulfication on the smaller CTEXs isn't up to much, but have no idea if that's true.

As eyelet can be bought separately at low cost, it's one of them really, either will do, and price-wise not a great deal in it. But unless you think the li-ion is going to come in handy, if you can get a deal on the 5.0, go for that.

*some sellers on ebay taking the p*ss - it shouldn't be more than 69 quid

There is a CTEK 4.3A version but for the US market.