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.
 
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.
 
Is the MXS 5 a newer version of the MUS 4.3?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.
 
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...
 
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...
 
Setec Astronomy said:
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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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.
 
tom p. said:
Is the MXS 5 a newer version of the MUS 4.3?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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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?
 
I`m having good luck with the MXS 5 so far. Hard for me to actually discern or identify a difference between that and my previous MUS 4.3, to be honest. (The newer unit does look better on paper.)
 
I`m thinking of going with the "little brother" MULTI US 3300...looks about $20 cheaper than the MXS 5.0. I don`t know why they took the waveforms off the front of the MXS vs. the MUS, of course, who could figure out what was going on without looking at the manual, I guess. Maybe 4 steps will make my brain hurt less than 4 steps.
 
I’ve had a ctek on my season vehicles since 2011 and they have worked perfectly for me.

I think it’s extended the battery life and keep me out of trouble. I change batteries at 5 years no matter what. Too many electronics to let it crash the computers. Rather do it on my terms then at a random moment that can be away from home, in the rain or snow.
 
Surly said:
...forgot to mention, I`ll probably use FK1000p to keep whichever charger I end up with free of any bonded contaminants. Just in case you were worried... :D
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I just used the Big White on a new SS BBQ last weekend... it worked stupendously well. The solvents cleaned and left the SS looking sharp as ````!
 
Heh heh, well...I`m not FKing my chargers, but I did debate using TTG+ on that new battery before just SprayWaxing it. I still might pull the battery back out and using it on the tray though...bugs me that it isn`t done right even though it does look OK with just the UQW.
 
I have two Ctek`s, one for my lithium battery and one for the AGM`s. It`s not that AGM`s have a low discharge rate, it`s that some vehicles have a significant amount of parasitic draw, even when dormant for weeks. Our SLK 55 AMG loves to draw down, even weeks without being touched.
 
Project Farm on YouTube did a comparison of Noco vs other jump starters (not your question, I know) and Noco came in almost last behind some really dodgy brands. I`ve been looking side-eyed at my Noco trickle charger ever since.

I`ve also been trying out solar battery chargers. Battery Tender and others make those; I cobbled together a kit from parts on Amazon that were actually available to ship.
 
Just want to put this out there as I only see a few speak of the Battery Tender brand. I have a Battery Tender Jr. that helped me recover a completely dead 3.5 yr old Optima Red Top that has seen three Texas summers, besides CTek, and a couple of other brands, it is dirt cheap and very reliable. It has been dropped, had moisture ingress, and been used in high temperatures, hasn`t skipped a beat. So far, the recovered 3.5 yr old Red Top is holding its charge quite nicely, completely hooked up to the GS300 that hasn`t been started in a week.

I am not sure who knows how to recover dead AGM`s, but this source lays out the process quite simply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH_ePyojQHM

Money no object, I would have a CTek and a couple of different options for different situations.
 
I have Battery Tenders but have had to replace them in the past. Thankfully they’re cheap enough. I wish there was some warning when they die, kinda like batteries themselves.
 
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