Battery Maintainer?
02-27-2015 | 07:35 PM
#91
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 180
Likes: 19
From: North Georgia
charge-O-matic???CTEK Charger
One thing I know for sure is that in a 16 year period I only replaced the battery once. I suspect you are right. The older charger was not set up for AMG batteries. Thanks Mike. Chesapeake Highway docked today with my car on it. They say it will fly. I'll post pictures on the big day.
02-27-2015 | 07:39 PM
#92
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 65
From: North Carolina
My understanding is that the unit CTEK makes for Porsche charges at a max of 14.4V. Optimally, the AGM battery, according to the manufacturer (Banner) requires a 14.7V charger. The generic CTEK branded model 3300 which is most similar to the CTEK/Porsche charger provides this with it's cold weather "snowflake" mode.
As to your question, I have no idea what the charging voltage of your 16 year old charger is, but I suspect it's less than 14.7V. Bottom line it almost surely works, but it's not the perfect spec for the AGM battery and I don't know how critical that is. Ivan?
As to your question, I have no idea what the charging voltage of your 16 year old charger is, but I suspect it's less than 14.7V. Bottom line it almost surely works, but it's not the perfect spec for the AGM battery and I don't know how critical that is. Ivan?
I think the regular car battery setting is 14.4 volts and the snowflake is 14.7. I think the snowflake setting is primarily put on the charger to help in charging of very cold batteries.
I can't believe the difference between 14.4 and 14.7 volts will be that critical. I doubt very seriously that the charging voltage on our cars is an exact 14.7 volts and the batteries seem to do just fine. An AGM battery is just another type of lead-acid battery. The electrolyte is just absorbed on a glass mat to make it less likely to have issues with spills, and I think you can get more power from them in a smaller package. It is not like it is some revolutionary new type battery.
Last edited by GSIRM3; 02-28-2015 at 02:40 PM.
02-27-2015 | 08:17 PM
#93
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
My understanding is that the unit CTEK makes for Porsche charges at a max of 14.4V. Optimally, the AGM battery, according to the manufacturer (Banner) requires a 14.7V charger. The generic CTEK branded model 3300 which is most similar to the CTEK/Porsche charger provides this with it's cold weather "snowflake" mode.
As to your question, I have no idea what the charging voltage of your 16 year old charger is, but I suspect it's less than 14.7V. Bottom line it almost surely works, but it's not the perfect spec for the AGM battery and I don't know how critical that is. Ivan?
As to your question, I have no idea what the charging voltage of your 16 year old charger is, but I suspect it's less than 14.7V. Bottom line it almost surely works, but it's not the perfect spec for the AGM battery and I don't know how critical that is. Ivan?
Modern chargers are much more advanced and intelligent than they used to be. Both charging voltage and current are adjusted to compensate for battery condition and ambient temperature. This is important for all batteries, AGM or otherwise. Charging cycles now consist of multiple stages, all designed to recondition and extend the life of the battery. Old chargers served the purpose of recharging a battery, but new chargers are much better at recharging and then maintaining a healthy battery. Get a new CTEK - they only cost $85.
02-27-2015 | 08:47 PM
#94
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 244
From: North Bay Area, CA
I am not an EE, so don't take this information as coming from an expert. But, from what I have read about AGM batteries, the risk of charging them comes form a voltage that is too high, not too low. Also, on CTEK's website under FAQ's, they say to use the regular car battery setting for charging AGM batteries unless your battery has a sticker, or manufacturer says, to use the higher voltage snowflake setting. I understand that the manufaturer of our batteries recommends the higher voltage, but I haven't seen that in writing anywhere. I did not see anywhere in the CTEK manual any statement like "Caution, only use the snowflake setting for AGM batteries or Damage will Result." To the contrary, they said to use the regular car battery setting unless otherwise instructed.
I think the regular car battery setting is 14.4 volts and the snowflake is 14.7. Also, keep in mind that the higher voltage setting has a snowflake setting on it and not a AGM logo. I think the snowflake setting is primarily put on the charger to help in charging of very cold batteries.
I can't believe the difference between 14.4 and 14.7 volts will be that critical. I doubt very seriously that the charging voltage on our cars is an exact 14.7 volts and the batteries seem to do just fine. An AGM battery is just another type of lead-acid battery. The electrolyte is just absorbed on a glass mat to make it less likely to have issues with spills, and I think you can get more power from them in a smaller package. It is not like it is some revolutionary new type battery.
I think the regular car battery setting is 14.4 volts and the snowflake is 14.7. Also, keep in mind that the higher voltage setting has a snowflake setting on it and not a AGM logo. I think the snowflake setting is primarily put on the charger to help in charging of very cold batteries.
I can't believe the difference between 14.4 and 14.7 volts will be that critical. I doubt very seriously that the charging voltage on our cars is an exact 14.7 volts and the batteries seem to do just fine. An AGM battery is just another type of lead-acid battery. The electrolyte is just absorbed on a glass mat to make it less likely to have issues with spills, and I think you can get more power from them in a smaller package. It is not like it is some revolutionary new type battery.
Now I didn't personally see the communication from Banner, but I trust what was communicated to me by our fellow RL forum member. Additionally, here is an excerpt from the FAQ on the CTEK web site:
Q. I have an AGM battery. Do I charge it in snowflake mode?
A. It depends. Optima and Hawker recommend snowflake mode. If there is no indication on the battery, use car mode for batteries over 14Ah or MC mode for batteries under 14Ah.
http://smartercharger.com/faq/#batteryknowledge6
A. It depends. Optima and Hawker recommend snowflake mode. If there is no indication on the battery, use car mode for batteries over 14Ah or MC mode for batteries under 14Ah.
http://smartercharger.com/faq/#batteryknowledge6
02-27-2015 | 09:11 PM
#95
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 180
Likes: 19
From: North Georgia
Along with my 16yr old charger I have had a CTEK 3300 charge for a year. The CTEK charges at 14.4V/3.3A in the car setting and 14.7V/3.3A in the snow flake setting. As per owners manual snow flake position is to be used for many AMG batteries. Key word is many. It also says consult your battery manufacturer when in doubt. Oh boy something Monday.
02-27-2015 | 09:32 PM
#96
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
It was not clear to me which mode I should use for the AGM battery on my GT3 so I contacted CTEK tech support at their Sweden headquarters via email. I told them that I had a GT3 with an AGM battery.
Here is the response from CTEK: "Always use Cold Weather Mode for your AGM battery."
Here is the response from CTEK: "Always use Cold Weather Mode for your AGM battery."
02-27-2015 | 09:48 PM
#98
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 244
From: North Bay Area, CA
It was not clear to me which mode I should use for the AGM battery on my GT3 so I contacted CTEK tech support at their Sweden headquarters via email. I told them that I had a GT3 with an AGM battery.
Here is the response from CTEK: "Always use Cold Weather Mode for your AGM battery."
Here is the response from CTEK: "Always use Cold Weather Mode for your AGM battery."
Which mode should I use again.....?
02-28-2015 | 09:46 AM
#99
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 65
From: North Carolina
Better check the charging voltage from your car's electrical system to make sure it is exactly 14.7 volts all the time. Wouldn't want to ruin your battery.
Last edited by GSIRM3; 02-28-2015 at 11:22 AM.
02-28-2015 | 10:20 AM
#100
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
Mike, since there are so many CTEK model's to choose, which one would you suggest? Which model is the Porsche brand? Also, would any of them have a cigarette lighter adapter on them?
02-28-2015 | 11:28 AM
#101
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 65
From: North Carolina
Lighter adapter plugs can be bought from CTEK for their models, including the 3300. The CTEK adapter plug is the same as the one attached to the Porsche charger. From that perspective, the CTEK units offer more flexibility of use since they offer the option to charge via the 12V sockets in your car, or directly connected to the battery. If the GT3 manual has the same warning as the Carrera manual on use of adapter plugs, you will see that it is important to use one of proper design, otherwise, it can damage your 12 V socket. That is another reason I chose the Porsche model. if I have any issues that can be somehow blamed on the charger, I at least can claim I used a Porsche model.
Last edited by GSIRM3; 02-28-2015 at 11:43 AM.
02-28-2015 | 11:32 AM
#102
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,843
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
The Porsche dual mode unit is a CTEK 3300 without the snowflake mode. I have no idea why it doesn't have the snowflake mode. The Porsche model also has a cigarette lighter socket adapter hardwired on it, so that makes it appear that is Porsche's preferred method to use, or they just think that method is easier for their customers. Sure can't argue with that assessment.
Lighter adapter plugs can be bought from CTEK for their models, including the 3300. From that perspective, the CTEK units offer more flexibility of use since they offer the option to charge via the 12V sockets in your car, or directly connected to the battery.
Lighter adapter plugs can be bought from CTEK for their models, including the 3300. From that perspective, the CTEK units offer more flexibility of use since they offer the option to charge via the 12V sockets in your car, or directly connected to the battery.
Good to know, thank you.
02-28-2015 | 01:43 PM
#103
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 244
From: North Bay Area, CA
02-28-2015 | 01:52 PM
#104
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 244
From: North Bay Area, CA
http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-353-12...attery+charger
http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Comfort-I...JMWZAKJ5ZF0DX3
