Trickle charger 350S

[Pacederon]

When did the lithium battery come in? I take it that the 350 is all lead acid and the Ctek MX5 charger is good? Or, does anyone have a better recommendation?

[Bravo73]

Your Ctek will be perfect for the job. And yes, you'll have a lead acid battery. (It's easy enough to check).

[jep]

CTek are expensive and have great marketing in my view. I use AirFlow or £15 ones from Lidl (not always in stock). I have never had an issue with cheapo battery conditioners. Airflow was the one Lotus used for early Elise/340R, I bought direct from AirFlow, I think £30 at the time. Still going strong 21 years on.

Battery Care | Airflow UK (airflow-uk.co.uk)

Justin

[exeterjeep]

22 minutes ago, jep said:

CTek are expensive and have great marketing in my view. I use AirFlow or £15 ones from Lidl (not always in stock). I have never had an issue with cheapo battery conditioners. Airflow was the one Lotus used for early Elise/340R, I bought direct from AirFlow, I think £30 at the time. Still going strong 21 years on.

Battery Care | Airflow UK (airflow-uk.co.uk)

Justin

I bought a cheap one from machine mart, had it on the car for a few days then the car would not start, car totally dead no dashboard etc either, so changed battery, then used a ctek. maybe the battery was on its way out anyway.

[Pacederon]

Thanks Justin! Yes, I agree that Ctek have positioned themselves well.

Like Keith, I have been caught out by the really cheap ones before, so a 21 year use is recommendation enough! I called Airflow - they are £39 now, but unfortunately, out of stock and does not know when he will get more! I might try ebay, but if no joy, then it is Ctek!

[jep]

AA 1.5 Amp 6 V/12 V Car Battery Charger Maintainer AA4956 UK Plug Fully Automatic with Crocodile Clamps Eyelet Connectors As Used By AA Patrols: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

A friend of mine bought this in December and said it works very well.

Not sure if it has the accessory for cigarette lighter style fitting. I have bought these previously and fitted to chargers (inc Airflow):

Halfords Fused Cigarette Lighter Plug 5 Amp | Halfords UK

and use Tamiya connectors:

Tamiya Battery Connector/Plug with wire special offer 5060228085307 | eBay

Justin

 

[EuropaSman]

Another vote for the Airflow battery conditioner. I had one for my Europa S and have had one for the last 7 years for the Evora. No issues and a 6 year old Varta Silver battery still going strong.

 

 

[Spanky3]

I've got a Ctek on the Caterham and an Airflow that came with the Evora.  The Ctek has fancier LEDs which makes it easy to see what its doing and a nicer connector but both seem to work.

A few years ago I had an Optimate charger nearly burn my garage down: the insulation split where it goes into the charger then the cable twisted and it shorted the battery - the entire charging lead melted.  After that I added an inline fuse to the  battery connector on my CTEK one between the battery and the  charging socket.  i don't know if the Airflow has one but should probably check.

Edited January 28, 2021 by Spanky3

[EGTE]

CTEK 3.8 is a cheaper charger than the 5.0, but the 5.0 is actually overkill for cars.

[Bravo73]

However, I think that the 5.0 can charge a battery from dead. The 3.8 can't.

(I've got a couple of the previous model of 3.8 and wish that they were battery chargers, as well as conditioners).

[EGTE]

Ah okay, good to know thanks.