Hi all,

After I recently had a new alternator installed I'm very conscious about batteries/electronics so I'm looking to leave the car connected to a CTEK battery conditioner.

What I'd like to know from those that do the same is - can I run the FBH whilst the car is still connected to the CTEK? Does anybody have any experience of doing that?

I'd like to leave it all just setup on my driveway and not have to think about going out in the cold to unplug it etc before using the FBH.

Thank you,

Matt. 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD

Are you planning on using the CTEK via the 13pin towing electrics and a forum shop adaptor? Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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It's 7 pin 12S on mine but yes through the towing adaptor. 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD

My FBH ran this morning with the CTEK connected to the battery. Just need to make sure the cables aren't near the FBH exhaust etc. Rob 05 L322 4.2SC
2016 Discovery 4 Graphite
Lotus Carlton
Ascona 400
Volvo V70R AWD manual
Suzuki 1200 Bandit
Velocette Venom
BMW R80/7
Daimler V8 250
Mini Cooper S Works 2006

Yes, I do that with mine. No issues. Connected through towing electrics.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Perfect, thank you. Is it the MXS 5.0 most are using?

I'm wondering if I could get a Black Friday bargain although that wouldean waiting to find out for three weeks.

Matt. 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD

I’m using a 7 if I remember right.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I use an MXS5.0 which came with a CTEK Comfort indicator connector. This is permanently attached to the battery so I can just plug the charger in and leave it under the bonnet. The indicator nearly always flashes red unless its running or on charge! I would say the indicator isn't worth buying and a plain CTEK connector is enough. I think I paid £79 delivered at the beginningof lockdown.
I have connectors on all my cars now, so I can keep them all topped up. The Carlton sits permanently on another CTEK and has done for 4 plus years with no issues.
Rob 05 L322 4.2SC
2016 Discovery 4 Graphite
Lotus Carlton
Ascona 400
Volvo V70R AWD manual
Suzuki 1200 Bandit
Velocette Venom
BMW R80/7
Daimler V8 250
Mini Cooper S Works 2006

I have the MXS 10 as it has a clean supply mode for powering the car when doing CCF updates or usually when cleaning it inside  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

Excellent, thanks all. I already have an Accumate which covers the 4-75Ah 6/12v batteries so I guess an MXS-10 would make sense to cover the higher Ah range too. I use the Accumate for my motorcycles so would like a dedicated charger for the RR.

The Optimate 6 is tempting too, and would mean the connections I have for the Accumate would be compatible too. 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD

I am using the CTEC Pro25, it’s a smart charger and power supply rated at 25amps continuous. Gives quick charge if required, power supply for flashing ecu’s, can coupe with most loads in a vehicle.

MXS 10 ordered. I also realised I have a spare smart plug so I can run the lead under the garage door to the car and control the charger with Alexa rather than having to go in/out of the garage before and after every journey. The wonders of technology! 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD

No Towbar or electrics, can I use the Ctek in the 12v auxiliary ( Cigarette lighter ) in the boot and use the FBH whilst plugged in ?

Couple of things, I keep seeing comments regarding needing a higher amperage charger for a bigger battery, this isn't really true - the charger manufacturers use it as a rule of thumb, mostly, I think, to sell you a bigger charger...

There'd be a point where a charger of say 1amp, would struggle to charge a bigger 110aH battery due to cable losses and various other resistance, but the 3.6amp or bigger CTEK's will charge even a 110aH battery, they'll just take a bit longer.

3.6amp = ~30 hours to full charge a 110aH battery.
10amp = 11 hours to fully charge an 110aH battery.

In reality, with the MXS10, it takes more than 11 hours once you consider the various stages it goes through on the charge, so I'd imagine the 3.6 is going to take a few days to full charge a flat 110aH battery, but, it'll still work

Quote:

No Towbar or electrics, can I use the Ctek in the 12v auxiliary ( Cigarette lighter ) in the boot and use the FBH whilst plugged in ?

To update this thread the CTEK MXS-10 arrived and it is a great piece of kit.

I have it connected to a smart plug in the garage as planned and with a couple of extensions the lead runs to where the car is parked on the drive. The last metre runs through an anti-trip cable protector just in case delivery drivers etc decide to walk around the back of the car if I'm not in. The rest of the cable will be run through some pond hose down the side of the house just to protect it and make it blend in a little better - not done that yet as I tried but it was very difficult to thread through as the rubber connectors kept snagging so it is currently exposed. I do have a new plan to succeed though.

I also created a little mount for the connector to sit in when not in use utilising a handily located shrub, and bought a little rubber cap for it to keep the rain out.

All in all I'm very pleased with the setup - it is so easy to plug in to the towing electrics when I get home then walk in the house and tell Alexa to switch the car charger on, or vice versa if I'm leaving.

Matt. 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD