Car battery charger recommendation

Philip Fisher · Dec 27th, 2021, 13:50

Can anyone recommend a car battery charger?

Initially I need it for the V60, but will maybe also need it for the XC90 or the motorhome.

I have generally heard CTEK to be good, so wondered about the MXS 5.0.

Any thoughts will be most appreciated.

volvocamper · Dec 27th, 2021, 13:57

Yes, have exactly this model and have used, predominantly for caravan leisure battery and for an old car battery i use around the yard for pumping up car/caravan tyres etc but have used on son/daughters cars too. They can turned on and left and you can also get a remote port for it which can be left in place so the charger plugs into the port without having to get to the battery terminals - great for the caravan and i plug the C-Tek battery monitor in to it at all other times as a quick ‘look see’ at the state of the battery. Apparently these are one of the finest chargers you can buy.

Robbie34 · Dec 27th, 2021, 14:02

I have a CTEK MXS 5.0 but it gets very hot and has taken some time to charge the battery on my 2019 V60.

I have since replaced it with this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which, although quite expensive, has given superior results.

nu11eaf · Dec 27th, 2021, 14:17

I have the C-TEK 7.0 and it has been excellent. I don't think I would want a charger with lower Amps for my requirements.

noodle1066 · Dec 27th, 2021, 14:34

This is mine, works a treat and doesn't get warm
Click the box on the listing for another 15% off.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09F31L1...ing=UTF8&psc=1

ovlov04v · Dec 27th, 2021, 15:50

C-Tex 5.0 has been working fine on our V40 and S60 (gen3) throughout the pandemic.

I had to purchase the extension leads with the charger as I have to charge in the open.

No problems with overheating and batteries still working fine. I bought direct from C-Tek.

MrM83 · Dec 27th, 2021, 17:38

CTEK MXS 5.0 here. Need to use it every few weeks on various cars. Been very reliable over last 10 years or so that I’ve had it.

Philip Fisher · Dec 27th, 2021, 17:50

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I looked at all the suggestions and on balance have gone for the ctek 5.0. I couldn't really justify the extra 35 quid for the 7amp version and whilst the other brand looked OK, I am a little bit suspicious of some of the unknown brands on Amazon - but it was definitely worth looking at.

Oh and since I looked at 1pm this afternoon the ctek 5.0 is now 80p cheaper on Amazon! Bargain!

Thanks again

h00ligann1 · Dec 27th, 2021, 23:07

I've got Victron Energy Blue Smart - 15A. Especially when you say you would like to use it for larger batteries like AGM in XC90 or Motorhome, stronger than 5A would be more suitable in my opinion. Furthermore, it has Bluetooth connectivity which you can use with an app on your mobile to check voltage/amp/charging status and many more options.

Bulldogfour · Jan 20th, 2022, 19:45

CTEK MXS 5.0. Simple to use and does cars and m/bikes and AGM batteries

Dec 27th, 2021, 13:50	#1
Philip Fisher Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:47 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sheffield	Car battery charger recommendation Can anyone recommend a car battery charger? Initially I need it for the V60, but will maybe also need it for the XC90 or the motorhome. I have generally heard CTEK to be good, so wondered about the MXS 5.0. Any thoughts will be most appreciated. __________________ Currently:- MY16 XC90 T8 Momentum, Magic Blue 174k miles. MY17 V60 T4 Power Blue. Previously:- 1997 V70 T5 exPolice; 2005 V50 2.0D; 2013 XC70 D5

Dec 27th, 2021, 14:02	#3
Robbie34 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2023 12:48 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Prescot	I have a CTEK MXS 5.0 but it gets very hot and has taken some time to charge the battery on my 2019 V60. I have since replaced it with this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which, although quite expensive, has given superior results. __________________ Volvo V60 Momentum Pro D4 2019

Dec 27th, 2021, 14:17	#4
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Today 00:50 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	I have the C-TEK 7.0 and it has been excellent. I don't think I would want a charger with lower Amps for my requirements. __________________ XC90 Inscription D5 Power pulse, 2017 MY, Savile grey, Blond Nappa, Leather dash/door tops, Walnut inlays, Dark tinted windows, Air suspension, Bliss/Cross traffic alert, Xenium/7 seat comfort/Family/Winter packs, 4 zone climate, Heated rear seats.

Dec 27th, 2021, 14:34	#5
noodle1066 Volvo is now in my blood Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 21:22 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Guildford	This is mine, works a treat and doesn't get warm Click the box on the listing for another 15% off. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09F31L1...ing=UTF8&psc=1 __________________ XC90 Ex Demo (Rugged Urban & High Spec) XC60 R-Design L/Nav - WPack, Heated SW, P Gl V70 R-Design - Heated Seats, Powered Tailgate

Dec 27th, 2021, 15:50	#6
ovlov04v Just Cruising. Last Online: May 26th, 2023 09:32 Join Date: May 2019 Location: A bit South of West View Photos By: ovlov04v	C-Tex 5.0 has been working fine on our V40 and S60 (gen3) throughout the pandemic. I had to purchase the extension leads with the charger as I have to charge in the open. No problems with overheating and batteries still working fine. I bought direct from C-Tek. __________________ --------------------- MY20 S60 Inscription Plus T5. Pebble Grey.

Dec 27th, 2021, 13:57	#2
volvocamper Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 09:11 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norwich	Yes, have exactly this model and have used, predominantly for caravan leisure battery and for an old car battery i use around the yard for pumping up car/caravan tyres etc but have used on son/daughters cars too. They can turned on and left and you can also get a remote port for it which can be left in place so the charger plugs into the port without having to get to the battery terminals - great for the caravan and i plug the C-Tek battery monitor in to it at all other times as a quick ‘look see’ at the state of the battery. Apparently these are one of the finest chargers you can buy.

Dec 27th, 2021, 17:38	#7
MrM83 Member Last Online: Yesterday 07:09 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: St Albans	CTEK MXS 5.0 here. Need to use it every few weeks on various cars. Been very reliable over last 10 years or so that I’ve had it.

Dec 27th, 2021, 17:50	#8
Philip Fisher Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:47 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sheffield	Thanks for all the advice everyone. I looked at all the suggestions and on balance have gone for the ctek 5.0. I couldn't really justify the extra 35 quid for the 7amp version and whilst the other brand looked OK, I am a little bit suspicious of some of the unknown brands on Amazon - but it was definitely worth looking at. Oh and since I looked at 1pm this afternoon the ctek 5.0 is now 80p cheaper on Amazon! Bargain! Thanks again __________________ Currently:- MY16 XC90 T8 Momentum, Magic Blue 174k miles. MY17 V60 T4 Power Blue. Previously:- 1997 V70 T5 exPolice; 2005 V50 2.0D; 2013 XC70 D5

Dec 27th, 2021, 23:07	#9
h00ligann1 New Member Last Online: Yesterday 18:09 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Scunthorpe	I've got Victron Energy Blue Smart - 15A. Especially when you say you would like to use it for larger batteries like AGM in XC90 or Motorhome, stronger than 5A would be more suitable in my opinion. Furthermore, it has Bluetooth connectivity which you can use with an app on your mobile to check voltage/amp/charging status and many more options.

Jan 20th, 2022, 19:45	#10
Bulldogfour VOC Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2023 21:20 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Trowbridge	CTEK MXS 5.0. Simple to use and does cars and m/bikes and AGM batteries __________________ 2018 V90 Cross Country Pro T6 310 now but XC70 and 340 previously

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