Battery Charger advice please
 

Over the weekend, my very ancient (it used to belong to my dad!) battery charger finally gave up the ghost, so I need to buy a new one. But there are thousands of them out there! :Confused:

What should I be looking for? Or can anyone recommend a particular make and model?

Thanks - Jim

It's cheap and cheerful from Lidl, but this one got recommended on a Mercedes forum I'm a member of:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-88...Detail&id=9103

They all said it's brilliant. I bought one last week and have been using it for a few days and all is well. Previously, I got the battery warning bleep less than 30 seconds after turning ignition, but now it's much longer.

You need to make sure you get one that will handle your battery!
The CTEK units always get good reviews (see last months Practical Classic mag)

Here's a 2012 review: (They do seem to rate CTEK)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accesso...attery-charger

Does anyone know offhand what rating the S8 battery is?

With 3.4A max current it's a bit weak, will take forever to charge A8 sized battery(95-110Ah). It should be OK as maintenance charger that you use regularly just to top up battery but it's going to take very long time to fully charge flat battery, expect 2-3 days for A8 sized battery to charge from 10% to 90%. You should be looking at 10A+ for A8 or even better 20A.

Something like this perhaps: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-RCB32...item19e2a3d673

Jim,

Best battery chargers in the world are manufactured by swedish company called CTEK:

http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/12v

Get this one:

http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/M...20AND%20CHARGE

I have installed a CTEK socket with traffic light indicator in my A8 and allows me to quickly connect CTEK charger when led is flashing red.

http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/C...%20M8%201%2c5m

I can make a picture later for you if you want.

Don't settle for less.

Thanks Guys

I'll go shopping on line later this week

There is no doubt CTEK does good battery charges if a bit expensive but the one linked is only 5A. They do 25A workshop chargers but they are £200+.
I would recommend at least 10A for A8 http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/MXS%2010

Yes, please post a photo as that sounds a pretty good plan

From specs for 5A model:
Battery capacity 1.2–110Ah up to 160Ah for maintenance.

The one I linked I have had for more than a year and my battery is monstrous 110ah AGM from Varta. The 5A model will charge battery overnight and it's very compact. 10 hours is usually enough. It also knows when to stop charging, which is the most important feature. I have never fully discharged my battery, so may take longer to charge if battery is fully discharged. It is lightweight, small and has carrying bag, so I simply keep it in car all the time.

P.S. I also purchased rubber case/bumper, which is absolutely great:

http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/Bumper

Pictures Jim. Apologies for bad lighting -- I had to use small flashlight.

I have a Ctek trickle charger on my cosworth - no complaints at all.

Theres a few cheaper alternatives about nowadays that do the same job tho. The Ctek has never let me down.

And your battery should be around 100/110aH

Thanks Sergey, that's pretty neat!:)

It's funny I was looking at chargers yesterday and came across them and was wondering about asking them about a group buy if there was enough interest from the folks on here.

I would be looking to get the 25 amp one so you could power the car during updates etc without daring the battery.