MXS 3.8

I don't write many reviews on Amazon but having recently used it in anger I thought I'd add my thoughts on this charger. I've had my CTEK MXS 3.8 for 6 years so this is a long term review. I bought it for my 1961 Hillman Minx, which used to eat batteries as it is laid up every winter, doesn't do a huge amount of mileage in the summer and isn't terribly efficient at charging when its running, so I used regularly to have recourse to an old-school non-smart charger. I was recommended the CTEK by a mechanic I know who specializes in restoring high end classic cars and keeps several himself. Since purchasing the CTEK I leave the car on charge in the garage full time (the eyelet lead allowing a permanently available plug-in connection is great), relying on the charger to keep the battery charged and conditioned. The result is that my old car is always ready to go, and I have only just needed to replace the battery which I'd then had about a year, so it was 7 years old altogether - previously they generally lasted about 3 years before they became incapable of holding a charge. However just this week I've put the charger to another use which prompted this review. My daily driver is a Toyota Prius, and anybody familiar with these cars knows they have a low powered 12V auxiliary battery that is only used for initially booting up the computers and enabling the main traction batteries. Unwisely I left the car unused for a few weeks during Covid lockdown resulting in the 12V battery going flat. Priuses have a lot of sensitive electronics and it's easy to cause problems if you're not careful when charging them but the CTEK did the job without fuss and showed 4 LEDs (ready to start) in just a few hours. I can't speak to the mode switch that some reviewers have complained about as I set it to normal when I first got it and haven't touched it since. I don't have a motorbike and the cold weather setting merely increases the charging voltage from 14.4V to 14.7V according to CTEK. I'm not sure how much benefit there is to that, it certainly seems to function perfectly well when left in normal mode. I can confirm that the charger still works as well now as it did 6 years ago ,having been in almost continuous use, and it has already more than paid me back its purchase price by extending the life of my battery.

I've got three of these chargers - one each on two motorbikes and one on the car. They have been in constant use for the past three years. The idiot proof lights are great when you just need a quick glance to see everything is working okay. They are 'a must' if your vehicle is parked outside or in a very cold garage. I made a very long extension with the cable going to the vehicle and the charger inside the house. One of my batteries is well past it us useful life time but keeping it on trickle has given it a few more years. Th weather tis winter has been a good test for any trickle charger and CTek never fail. Note: If you switch the unit off, make sure you remove the connectors from the battery or else it will discharge the battery albeit by not very much.

Brought this as I’m doing short runs and even less driving since the lock-down so wanted to avoid a dead battery. This unit is simple to use and happily charges a small city car. Watch-out as the (cheaper) unit below this can only charge a bike battery and I guess you might be looking for the one up for a bigger car. The instructions are just to give confidence you’re doing the right thing; however, it is as simple as attaching two colour coded crocodile clips to the battery and the other end to a 13-amp socket. Stating the obvious, but you need to be able to run a power cable to your car or place your car near a power socket. I brought the 2.5 m extension kit as I was able to park my car near the front window of my house. Good product.

Does exactly what I'd hoped. I use the (bought separately) lighter plug to connect to the car. The lighter socket in the passenger compartment of my car goes off with the ignition, but there is another in the boot which is always connected. (However the charger comes with two leads: conventional crocodile clips, or a lead that can be permanently linked to the battery with a flying plug, so the lighter plug is only for convenience. Once plugged in, the type of charging is selected (small battery, car battery, or cold weather) which the charger remembers for subsequent use. Charging then starts, and the LED display shows progress. The power lead is thin enough that the car door can safely be shut over it, and if you've put the charger where it can be seen through the windows, you can check progress easily. It is about the tenth of the size of my old one, and runs a lot cooler so presumably is a lot more efficient. There is enough space round the spare wheel to stow it in its little bag. I love it and recommend it. However see separate review on the Comfort Indicator Device.

I purchased this unit on the advice of a Neighbour, who has had one for years. I had a two year old battery in my car and during the Covid lockdown, I was unable to use my car. The battery lost three cells and I had to buy a new battery. That's when my Neighbour suggested one of these chargers. They are nice and small and fit easily under the closed and locked bonnet for constant charging. The first problem I encountered with this unit is the size of the ring connectors for permanent connection to the battery. I believe that they are 6mm rings and I had to purchase another connection cable with larger ring connectors. As this also works for motorcycles, I guess the 6mm ring size is perfect for one of those batteries. Another minor issue is the LED display. The first five LED's are nice and bright yellow, but the last two area very feint green which I could not see in daylight. Having said that, I would recommend this charger if you do not intend to use your vehicle very much as it can been left charging as long as necessary.

Prima di acquistare questo modello mi sono informato parecchio. Il primo fatto positivo è la scelta dell'amperaggio: 0.8A per le batterie da moto, 3.8 per quelle da auto. Ci sono poi una serie di programmi per il recupero delle vecchie batterie (ricarica accumulatoti che sono scesi fino a 2V), per la desolfatazione e per il mantenimento di carica. Il prodotto è corredato da comodissimi attacchi rapidi che possono essere lasciati sulla batteria per un mantenimento molto semplice. Non costa poco, ma se durerà nel tempo sarà di sicuro un ottimo acquisto.

Das Ladegerät ist Klasse sowohl von der Qualität und der Technik sicherlich eines der Besten Geräte . Hatte das Gerät als MXS 5 schon in der Werkstatt meines Vertrauens mir ansehen können. Privat ist der Kleine Bruder MXS 3.8 für meine Situation (Kleine Autobatterie) und Motorradbatterie sogar besser.(Stichwort kleinerer Ladestrom) Soweit volle Empfehlung für Gerät! Was Amazon betrifft scheinbar ein Glücksspiel was für einen Stecker man bekommt. Aufgrund einiger Rezessionen hier habe ich expliziert persönlich nachgefragt (vor Bestellung)und bekam als Antwort (sinngemäß : kann man mir nicht sagen was für ein Stecker am Gerät ist den es wird aus mehreren Lagern versandt und da ist es halt Zufall was für ein Stecker montiert ist) Bestellt daher auf volles Risiko! Wer das nicht möchte sollte den großen Bruder nehmen da gibt es komischer Weise bis jetzt keine Beschwerden wegen Stecker.Zumindest ist mir keine aufgefallen. Fazit: Mit einem falschen Stecker ist es hier in Deutschland schlichtweg unbrauchbar und muss zurückgesandt werden! Warum gibt es also hier überhaupt Geräte mit falschen Stecker? Also ich hatte Glück und wie immer sehr schnelle Lieferung aber die undurchsichtige Firmenpolitik die so überhaupt keinen Sinn macht verdient in diesem Fall einen Stern und der ist noch zu hoch! Das Gerät ist Klasse und hat keine Abwertung verdient, daher und nur daher volle Punktzahl.

Llevo ya mucho tiempo utilizándolo y funciona perfectamente sin problemas. La utilizo habitualmente para cargar una scooter. Detecta el estado y según como esté de carga tarda más o menos.

Idéal.

Permite cambiar de modo y cargar baterias pequeñas (moto) y grandes (coches). Muestra información del estado de carga y de la bacteria. Muy recommendable.