CTEK Charger Quick Review

[RaysWay]

I just wanted to share my thoughts on the CTEK Multi US 4.3 12 Volt Charger. I didn`t plan on writing a review until after I ended up having such great results with this unit. I just wanted to share my experience with anyone considering purchasing a battery charger.

A coworker was having battery trouble during lunch so I grabbed the CTEK Multi US 4.3 charger from the garage in hopes of being rewarded with a sandwich, or at the very least a healthy banana.



It includes a nice storage bag with simple instructions on the bag for those that question whether the positive (+) should be connected to the (+) or (-) terminals *cough*mysister*cough*.

Once connected, you simply click on "mode" until the correct vehicle is selected (car, motorcycle, snowflake).



The charger will then go through an 8 step cycle. The included manual gives detailed information on each step. For a fun twist, try reading the information in a foreign language.



The 8 steps are:

STEP 1 DESULPHATION Detects sulphated batteries. Pulsing current and voltage, removes sulphate from the leadplates of the battery restoring the battery capacity.

STEP 2 SOFT START Tests if the battery can accept charge. This step prevents that charging proceeds with adefect battery.

STEP 3 BULK aka Arnold mode. Charging with maximum current until approximately 80% battery capacity.

STEP 4 ABSORPTION Charging with declining current to maximize up to 100% battery capacity.

STEP 5 ANALYSE Tests if the battery can hold charge. Batteries that can not hold charge may need to bereplaced.

STEP 6 RECOND Choose the Recond program to add the Recond step to the charging process. During theRecond step voltage increases to create controlled gassing in the battery. Gasing mixes thebattery acid and gives back energy to the battery.

STEP 7 FLOAT Maintaining the battery voltage at maximum level by providing a constant voltage charge.

STEP 8 PULSE Maintaining the battery at 95–100% capacity. The charger monitors the battery voltageand gives a pulse when necessary to keep the battery fully charged.


I was impressed that a battery charger would do all of this on it`s own. It made the process guess-free and was very reassuring that I wasn`t wasting my time by charging a dead battery.

The charger is splash and dust proof, designed to protect vehicle electronics and non-sparking, reverse polarity protected and short-circuit proof. Add a 5 year warranty and I think CTEK has hit a home run.

Anyone considering a battery charger should check out the CTEK battery chargers. 10/10

Thanks for reading!
Ray

CTEK Multi US 4.3 12 Volt Charger

[nothingface5384]

Nice review

[Accumulator]

I have their 3300 on the S8 and it works fine. Never had a problem with the Battery Tenders I use on the other cars, but the CTEK *is* very nice.

[tom p.]

Ray, I`ve got that same charger plus a bunch of others. The CTEK seems to be very well reviewed and popular. Are you guys selling that product?

[RaysWay]

Ray, I`ve got that same charger plus a bunch of others. The CTEK seems to be very well reviewed and popular. Are you guys selling that product?

Yep: CTEK Battery Chargers

[tom p.]

I thought so. Good product to represent !

[d33p]

Have been using that exact charger for over a year now and its awesome. I use it on my m3 over the winter and even brought back a dead battery in my eclipse using the recond mode. Works with AGM batteries too!

[Angus]

Hold on, you missed telling us the most important part! What did you get as a prize for helping your coworker - a tastey sandwich or a health banana???

[House of Wax]

Hmm, interesting. I`ve strongly considered buying optima`s:

Digital 400 | OPTIMABATTERIES

due to some good stuff I`ve heard about it. I wonder how it compares to the cheaper cetek. Good review. Thanks for posting

[JSFM35X]

I have a ctek charger. Looks just like yours but I plug it into my cigarette lighter and it has served me well for many years. Think I got it in 2011. Still going strong.