MK5 Golf GTI
General => Product Reviews => Topic started by: Tfsi_Mike on September 03, 2011, 08:09:08 pm
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Thought I'd write a quick review on one of my recent motoring goodies...
What is it?
CTEK XS 0.8 Battery Charger
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FMy_Leon_Cupra%2FMaintenance_and_Technical%2FXS800_12.jpg&hash=4f0761e1fef5ef2d24f7903b64b7b946fe19c02b)
Why do I need one?
I purchased mine as I hope to stop having to use the car for the commute.
The model I have bought would be aimed at people with the lightweight battery like the braille and tommika. There are a wide range of charger / conditioners to suit all applications from lawnmower battery maintanaince to multiple camper caravan battery management.
I have a Braille super lightweight battery which is fine unless the car is left for 3 or 4 days.
The CTEK battery charger / conditioner will stop my battery (and any battery) going flat when unused.
It would also help maintain batteries over the winter months.
Surely a battery charger / conditioner is one of the basic motoring tools we should all have?
How does it work?
The CTEK charging process is;
Step 1 Desulphation
Step 2 Bulk
Step 3 Absorbtion (ready to use /guranteed to start)
Step 4 Analyse
Step 5 Float / FULLY CHARGED
Step 6 Pulse/ Maintenance Charging
Geeky Tech Spec;
CTEK XS 0.8 General Information
Input voltage: 220-240VAC, 50-60Hz
Output voltage: 14.4V
Charging current: 0.8A
Ambient Temperature: -20 deg.C - +50 deg.C
Charger Type: Fully automatic 6-step charger for 12V batteries
Batteries: 12V lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, AGM, Calcium/Calcium and GEL)
Battery size: 1.2-32Ah
Dimensions (L x W x H): 142x51x36 cm
Insulation : IP 65
Weight: 0.3 kg
Quick coupling - Yes
Sales speel;
The XS 0.8 is CTEK’s smallest 12V charger. It offers state of the art technology and is perfect for charging smaller 12V batteries that can be found in motorcycles, jet skis, ATVs and lawnmowers.
The unique display allows the user to follow the entire charging process. The XS 0.8 is a compact and fully automatic 6-step charger for 12V batteries from 1.2-32Ah. The XS 0.8 is IP 65 classified (splash and dust proof), delivers 0.8A and is designed to protect vehicle electronics. It is non-sparking, reverse polarity protected and short-circuit proof. The XS 0.8 is delivered with 5-year warranty.
Where from and how Much?
I bought mine from ebay from eBay, the seller was batterymegastore.co.uk, they were helpful. I phoned before buying to check suitability for the little braille, they advised me I didnt need the £45 one I was looking at and sold me the £27 xs 0.8
[ebay] 270742108706[/ebay]
I paid £27.99 Delivered to my door in Germany
My thoughts / Summary
I'm quite pleased with this bit of kit, handy thing to have and the way that it charges in 6 stages will keep the battery in tip top condition and allows safe connect and forget use.
It has LEDs to show the stage of charging and an LED to show if your battery is faulty / unserviceable
I love that it comes with the ringlets that attatch to the terminals permanantly that have a plug with splash / dust boot, this is the method Im using. It also comes with croc clips that also have the plug so you can choose how you charge. Or can use the ringlets on your own car and use the crocodile clips if you need to use the charger on any other application.
I have ran an extension out of the house and the charger sits in the engine bay over night pulse charging, keeping it topped up and maintained.
It comes with very clear instructions and a neat little bag to stow it in. 5 Year Warranty too :happy2:
It's very lightweight and compact.
Safety - Does not damage sensitive electronics. Spark proof. Short Circuit proof. reverse polarity protection :happy2:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FMy_Leon_Cupra%2FMaintenance_and_Technical%2Ff8e43211.jpg&hash=1ea7a23f4ebfb41cac6f099ce030c77994d265eb)
Pic of the plug that will be hidden away in the battery box when not in use...
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FMy_Leon_Cupra%2FMaintenance_and_Technical%2Fcfb77cd3.jpg&hash=f5614891222d33ecd9445b655ca5062fed638639)
Well hope thats of use to some one :D
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Nice review there. Something I'm looking into for the winter months and the lack of use of my TT. Didn't realise you can use a connector to permanently attach to the battery, that very useful to know. Cheers.
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Nice review there. Something I'm looking into for
the winter months and the lack of use of my TT. Didn't realise you can use a connector to permanently attach to the battery, that very useful to know. Cheers.
Yeah, very simple but trick feature :happy2:
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I fit loads of these at work and they are a top piece of kit. Well worth buying. :happy2:
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Nice one Mike i was going to order a charger next week. Looks like this will do the job, my battery is twat to get to, so the one fit attachment is ideal. :happy2:
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Nice one Mike i was going to order a charger next week. Looks like this will do the job, my battery is twat to get to, so the one fit attachment is ideal. :happy2:
I would maybe message or ring them and ask the best model for an OEM battery. I think they mainly go off the Amp Hour rating :happy2:
Glad it was of use :drinking:
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:happy2: will do.
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Great minds eh??
I purchased a CTEK 3600 from Amazon to keep my battery topped up whilst were away.
I like the Quick Clip Feature.
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Great minds eh??
I purchased a CTEK 3600 from Amazon to keep my battery topped up whilst were away.
I like the Quick Clip Feature.
I very nearly got the 3600 @ £40. Has your battery been flat yet? How long from flat did it take to get to stage 3 if so?
:happy2:
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Great minds eh??
I purchased a CTEK 3600 from Amazon to keep my battery topped up whilst were away.
I like the Quick Clip Feature.
I very nearly got the 3600 @ £40. Has your battery been flat yet? How long from flat did it take to get to stage 3 if so?
:happy2:
It has been flat yeah, but I'd recharged it using an ordinary charger I had. But I didn't want to leave the ordinary charger hooked up whilst away on holiday. Hence I got the Ctek.
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Used to have a similar charger on my Motorbike and was looking for one for my hardly used ED30.
I clicked the thanks as I will buy one.
Alex@BDM which one for a standard OEM battery mate, will this one do the job?
Thanks again.
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Had my CTEK screwed to the garage wall and plugged into my 'Se7en' kitcar for about 4 years now.
The quick connector is useful as that's into the footwell of the passenger seat, so saves the faff of taking off the bonnet.
Not sure which model it is exactly, but recall it was about £45. It's a great product.
I like the idea that it merely tops off the battery when needed so keeping it in peak 'condition'.
I think Aston Martin give these away with their cars, as there were some Aston branded ones on ebay when I was looking, albeit that was a few years back.
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nice review Mike thanks :happy2:
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Something else to add to the list then it seems! Thanks mike :signLOL:
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Something else to add to the list then it seems! Thanks mike :signLOL:
Im trying the 3600 model, it's on the post. My XS0.8 may have been faulty :happy2:
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Something else to add to the list then it seems! Thanks mike :signLOL:
Im trying the 3600 model, it's on the post. My XS0.8 may have been faulty :happy2:
What do you think was wrong with it Mike?
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Something else to add to the list then it seems! Thanks mike :signLOL:
Im trying the 3600 model, it's on the post. My XS0.8 may have been faulty :happy2:
Im doing the whole lightweight thing next, however I only use my car at weekends. Do you think the lightweight battery would deffo be dead with that type of usage?
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It would not reach step 6.
Will update when BatteryMegastore receive my old one back and tested it :happy2:
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Something else to add to the list then it seems! Thanks mike :signLOL:
Im trying the 3600 model, it's on the post. My XS0.8 may have been faulty :happy2:
Im doing the whole lightweight thing next, however I only use my car at weekends. Do you think the lightweight battery would deffo be dead with that type of usage?
The Braille has managed 4 days in my experience, definitely worth keeping it topped up / maintained :happy2:
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It would not reach step 6.
Will update when BatteryMegastore receive my old one back and tested it :happy2:
Not sure of the 0.8 Mike but is step 6 supposed to be a constant green light on the Ctek?
Pov. Depends how "light" you want to go with the battery, the lighter you go, the less it will last.
But I suppose if your paying out and intending on going lighter battery, then you may aswell go as light as you can. If it's then just a weekend thing, hook one of these charges upto it.
P.S. I'd agree on the four day thing with Mike re the Braile he has.
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What battery have you got mike?
Take it you guys have garages in which the battery can be charged safely in a dry environment. Sadly the TT doesnt have such luxury and she sleeps on the drive so not sure if charging her every week is convienent!
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What battery have you got mike?
Take it you guys have garages in which the battery can be charged safely in a dry environment. Sadly the TT doesnt have such luxury and she sleeps on the drive so not sure if charging her every week is convienent!
99% sure its the Braile 14115.
Yeah, having a garage would make it alot easier. Although it being on the drive doesn't make it impossible, just be wary of the trailing wire :signLOL:
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What battery have you got mike?
Take it you guys have garages in which the battery can be charged safely in a dry environment. Sadly the TT doesnt have such luxury and she sleeps on the drive so not sure if charging her every week is convienent!
As above Pov :happy2:
Mine unfortunatly doesn't have a garage but using an out door extension lead for my lawn mower.
The plugs and gubbins are under the bonnet so no risk of getting wet :happy2:
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Excellent review, Mike - Answers absolutely all the pre-purchase questions. I'm not after one but if I was I be getting one on the strength of your review :drinking:
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Thanks Robin :happy2:
Recognition off the review meister himself :ashamed:
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Thanks Robin :happy2:
Recognition off the review meister himself :ashamed:
....Well, John_O was my original inspiration. :happy2:
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**Update
Replacement arrive last week. The 3.6 charger. More substantial with different modes / options.
I need to speak to battery megastore to see if they found a fault with the xs 0.8.
I think in hind site even though the Braille is only 15ah the xs0.8 may not be quite upto the job. Will update as soon as I get the verdict from battery megastore.
Impressed that this time they sent one with a German plug and an adapter to make it a Uk plug when I move back. I didn't request this :happy2:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FMy_Leon_Cupra%2FMaintenance_and_Technical%2Ff849afd8-1.jpg&hash=ac06449df03eb4f163c7eef6cc1d3662f84e21e5)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FMy_Leon_Cupra%2FMaintenance_and_Technical%2Fbbc4c672-1.jpg&hash=8168c51d2a09158288876f1c11a261b6fd134fcd)
Have been forced to use the car daily recently so not needed to use the New charger, yet.
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What a evil person forcing you to drive your modded cupra everyday! :signLOL:
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If anyone is trying to decide between the Braille and TomikaRacing batteries...
In my opinion let price decide and get the cheapest.
They look identical, weigh the same and after discussing it with Paul at linden batteries are made in the se factory apparently.
I received a Tomika today and it looks identical to the Braille...
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FMy_Leon_Cupra%2FMaintenance_and_Technical%2F8943ea14.jpg&hash=f0f2d02fad391c635842544e441d15df73de9e0f)
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I went with the TR battery for my MK2 Leon Cupra,
My reason was for the sake of an extra £10 you get two years warranty :happy2: instead of one year with the Braille,
Its Aaron of SCN Mike, thought it was about time I joined up..........
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I went with the TR battery for my MK2 Leon Cupra,
My reason was for the sake of an extra £10 you get two years warranty :happy2: instead of one year with the Braille,
Its Aaron of SCN Mike, thought it was about time I joined up..........
Just noticed that when they were side by side.
How do matey, welcome to the mad house :happy2:
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Just to note. The charger & battery are still going strong...
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FMy_Leon_Cupra%2FMaintenance_and_Technical%2Fnull_zps19778b84.jpg&hash=d9a5a75a4c3399efa4731070a05e19855c9ebc3f)
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Mike why did you take the battery out of the car as you can use that charger with the battery hooked up in the car...
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I know that but where my car is currently parked its not practical to leave the extention cable laid out :happy2: