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  1. #16
    tom p.'s Avatar
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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Quote Originally Posted by Surly View Post
    other makes and models have similar battery management systems and should heed the same advice.



    So, @tom p., were you talking about the MUS 4.3? Or one of the other CTEK`s they label 4.3? What is more "winning" about the MUS 4.3 over, say, the MXS 5.0?
    I had to go look at my charger, it is MUS 4.3. That was my personal threshold for spending $$ on another charger when I already have a bunch of them.

    I spend a fair amount of time reading about these devices, the motorcycle crowd does regular comparo tests. I tend to follow some of that as I have no expertise personally. From my reading, the CTEK seems to be very well-regarded at this time due to its charging algorithm. I also like the simplicity of the device, and it`s suitable for AGM designs.
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  2. #17

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Surly. Look at what you made me do

    Usually right before winter and once during early spring, kinda like when I change snow/summer tires, I will connect the batteries to the charger just to make sure it`s a full SOC. Due to this thread - early remind, I went and topped off all batteries, including the jump pack, snowblower and the spare Northstar Battery I had sitting around. BTW schumacher Pro100 is a great PS for coding. Comparable for a weekend warrior to the deutronics

  3. #18

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Quote Originally Posted by mobiledynamics View Post
    Surly. Look at what you made me do
    Sorry, man

  4. #19

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    I had to read the posts as I did recall you mention considering use of programming .....but then post #10 confirmed at least you were aware it`s not enough for that.
    Don`t brick a ECU. If you plan to tinker, and don`t want the schumacher, get a meanwell, etc.

    I have watch the amp output on the inc100. At times, it has peaked at 90 draw, and maybe settling in around 60+ amp. It`s 2020 right around the corner ;-). I`m sure more modules are being shoehorned into ever chassis .

  5. #20

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    So - I finally heard back from the manufacturer the difference between the MUS and MXS units.

    The MXS has more programs and an integrated temperature sensor which alters the charging programs based on ambient temperature.

    warranty V A Motorbike mode car mode AGM -mode (or snowflake) Motorbike + AGM mode car + AGM mode Motorbike + recond mode Car + recond mode recond supply temp.sensor recomm. Battery size Ah long time maintenance up to Ah warranty time
    MUS 4.3 5 years 12v 4.3 8-step program yes yes yes no no no no yes no no 1.2-14 / 14 - 90 160 5 years
    MXS 5.0 5 years 12v 4.3 8-step program yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no yes 1.2-14 / 14 - 110 160 5 years
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  6. #21

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Wait a minute...the snowflake is AGM mode? I thought that was for cold conditions...not also for AGM (which I only have in one car), I`m going to have to go back and read my MUS 4.3 directions.
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  7. #22

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Yes, snowflake is AGM mode.
    If it`s really cold and you happen to be charging outside, you can use the snowflake for a wet cell

  8. #23

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    So what happens if you use the regular car mode for AGM batteries?

    EDIT: Oh, I see in the manual where it says the cold weather mode is for "power AGM batteries like Optima and Odyssey", while the regular mode is for "...and many AGM batteries." I`ve got a flat plate AGM, seems like the cold mode is more for the spiral wound, so I`ll just calm down now.
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  9. #24
    tom p.'s Avatar
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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Is the MXS 5 a newer version of the MUS 4.3? It looks like the prices are virtually identical (on Amazon) and the MXS 5 has a bunch of additional features.
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  10. #25

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    SA. It`s not going to kill it if you charge it at 14.4 or 14.7 on your AGM.
    Depending on how old or new you car is and what the charge profile is, your alt may not even be charging your AGM at 14.7...

  11. #26

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Quote Originally Posted by tom p. View Post
    Is the MXS 5 a newer version of the MUS 4.3? It looks like the prices are virtually identical (on Amazon) and the MXS 5 has a bunch of additional features.
    I dunno, the only thing to me that seems important is the temperature sensor.
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  12. #27

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    In case anyone is interested, I ended up with a CTEK MXS 5.0

    Biggest wishlist is that they had quick connect pigtails with longer pigtails so that I could actually get my on-car cable out the top near the wipers or the front near the grill. The only vendor-supplied option is an 8` quick connect extension which is way too long and I`m not looking for that kind of solution. I could splice...
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  13. #28
    wannafbody
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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    I have a CTek and it`s fantastic. It was only about $60 on Amazon.
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  14. #29
    tom p.'s Avatar
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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Quote Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy View Post

    I`ve got a flat plate AGM, seems like the cold mode is more for the spiral wound, so I`ll just calm down now.
    Yeah, I had to re-read their guidance and came away with the same understanding. The differentiator is sprial wound vs. the traditional flat plate.

    Some refer to the Odessy and Optima design as "super" AGM.

    I also purchased the MXS 5.
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  15. #30

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    Re: Battery float chargers - CTEK vs. NOCO vs. others

    Quote Originally Posted by tom p. View Post
    Is the MXS 5 a newer version of the MUS 4.3? It looks like the prices are virtually identical (on Amazon) and the MXS 5 has a bunch of additional features.
    It looks like the "regular" MUS 4.3 is gone now, although they have an MUS 4.3 "Test & Charge" and an MUS 4.3 "Polar".

    Since the number of cars around me seems to be...er...accumulating, I was thinking of adding another charger to my MUS 4.3...the MXS 5.0 is a bit more expensive than my MUS 4.3 was, and they have a MULTI US 3300 which is a little less expensive (than my 4.3) and only 3.3 amps and a 4-step instead of an 8-step charge. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

 
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