Category Archives: Products

Test & Charge to ensure you don’t ruin your summer vacation

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Have you booked your summer vacation yet? Here at CTEK we wanted to remind you about the importance of undertaking a battery check and charge prior to going away on holiday – did you know that one in ten of all flat batteries are experienced by people returning to their cars after a period of time on holiday?

After the stress of travelling, the last thing you want is to arrive at the airport car park to find that you have a flat battery or for the return to work to be seriously inconvenienced by a car that won’t start. Scenarios such as these can not only cause disruption, but can also cost a lot of money, whether that is through breakdown call outs or a replacement battery.

Furthermore, most people in these situations choose to jump-start the vehicle in an attempt to get moving as soon as possible, but even such a simple action can cause lasting damage. When a vehicle is jump-started, a vast surge of voltage and current is produced and passed through the battery, energising the starter motor. The current passing through the vehicle can potentially go through the Electronic Control Unit and can cause severe damage to a vehicle’s health, meaning more harm than good.

All this can be avoided if a battery charging routine is put in place, which comprises the connection of a smart battery charger. A model such as the CTEK MXS 5.0 TEST AND CHARGE not only revives discharged batteries and breaks down sulphur build-up that prevents optimum levels of charge being held, it also tests their voltage, alternator performance and start power to avoid unexpected failures.

It’s a good idea to check and charge a week or so before departure to have peace of mind. Not only does a regular charging routine prolong a battery’s life but it also prevents the need to jump-start a car, which can cause lasting damage and a costly trip to the garage.

 

Think Pink!

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Recent research undertaken by CTEK has identified that a whopping 87% of women undertake some form of DIY, with activities ranging from decorating to car maintenance. The survey also identified that whilst only 27% of females had charged their car battery, 61% said that yes they would attempt a charge if required.

And so CTEK brings you the PINK Bumper – an ideal product to make your CTEK charger just a little more lady like!

The CTEK PINK Bumper is a cost effective solution that will provide maximum protection for CTEK chargers from 3.6A to 5.0A. The easy to fit, hardwearing, silicon rubber bumper will ensure a strong defence against accidental drops, scrapes and scratches and help the charger grip on angled or slippery surfaces.

Don’t make it a jump start!

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With modern vehicles using ever more sophisticated and expensive electronics, there is an increased risk of damage to vehicles from jump starts – our advice is just don’t do it!

Here at CTEK we have always been aware of the dangers of jump starting. When a vehicle is jump-started a huge surge of voltage and current is generated that passes through the battery to energise the starter motor. This can potentially get through to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and cause irreparable damage. And we aren’t the only people aware of the dangers, many airports for example who have traditionally offered a complimentary jump start service, are insisting that vehicle owners sign a form to disclaim against any damage caused through jump starting a vehicle.

It’s very easy for a battery to go flat, especially if it stands idle for a few days and other factors such as cold weather conditions make this even more of a risk. The high power demands of modern vehicles and the drain from parasitic loads such tracking devices and alarms means that a battery can potentially become flat in a matter of days. To protect against a flat battery we recommend a regular charge to bring the battery up to maximum capacity. This will extend your battery life by as much as 300% and prevent the need to jump start your vehicle.

The CTEK Multi XS 5.0 offers a unique eight step-approach to battery care, that is simple to use and will ensure that any lead-acid battery is optimally conditioned and charged. Furthermore, there is no need to disconnect the battery before use as it regulates mains voltage to protect any sensitive electrical equipment

If you do find that you have a flat battery however, there is another way to bring it back to life without jump starting. It’s much better to use a charger to bring the battery back to life – the CTEK MXS 5.0 for example, can bring a flat battery to sufficient charge levels to start a vehicle in under ten minutes in a safe way. This is only a temporary fix however and the vehicle will need a good charge and condition to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

Including a battery charge in routine maintenance on cars and can prevent unnecessary and dangerous jump starts whilst also improving efficiency of vehicles.

 

Sister’s are doing it for themselves!

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The number of women carrying out DIY tasks around the home continues to increase, but it isn’t always because girl power means women want to do it themselves. The number one reason for women reaching for their paintbrush, spade or spanner is that have had enough of waiting for their partner to get motivated and do it, that’s according to the results of our latest survey.

31.4% of women between the ages of 25 and 74 are ‘sick of waiting for my partner to do it’ with a further 17.1% of respondents donning their DIY overalls because their partner ‘isn’t very good at DIY’. The online survey, completed by over 900 females did reveal however that 21.6% of women undertake DIY tasks because they genuinely enjoy it. A whopping 87% of women undertake some form of DIY, with activities ranging from decorating, window cleaning and car maintenance – proving that sisters really are doing it for themselves!

It’s really interesting to understand the dynamics of the home when it comes to DIY. Before undertaking the survey we were well aware that women were undertaking many DIY activities, it is certainly no longer the case that men do the hard work while ladies look on. We were surprised however to see the number one motivating factor for this.

Whilst it would be easy to rest all of the blame on men, it’s worth noting that 26% of respondents undertake DIY for financial reasons. Women are managing family budgets, sorting out the bills, and making purchasing decisions.

It’s not at all surprising however to see that over 80% of women regularly carry out DIY – indeed 21% admitted that they undertake DIY because they enjoy it. Women are after all natural DIYers, they have a great ability to multi-task and have a more patient and practical approach to problems than men.

Our survey also identified it isn’t just around the home women are rolling up their sleeves and undertake what was once considered a male task. 27% of females confirmed that they had charged their car battery with 61% saying yes they would attempt a charge if required.
With the increased complexity of vehicle electronics that requires car batteries to be charged on a much more regular basis, coupled with the developments to battery charging technology that means battery charging is a safe activity we are seeing more and more women prepared to have a go. The CTEK MXS 5.0 for example is safe and simple to use and will ensure that your car battery is fully charged  – simply connect two clips to the battery, you don’t even need to disconnect the battery from the car or get your hands dirty!
So as we start a new year, a time when we start to think about home improvements and DIY, sisters really will be doing it for themselves!!!

1 in 4 vehicles at risk of battery failure this Winter

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Following a recent workshop survey, we estimate that as many as 25% of vehicles have a battery that could potentially fail when the freezing weather strikes – placing car owners at severe risk of breakdown, just when they need their car the most. A further 32% of vehicles are at some risk of battery failure if action is not taken to maintain the condition of the battery. This is because battery performance can reduce by 35% when temperatures hit freezing and fall by as much as 50% if temperatures go even colder. With 1 in 2 vehicles driving around with an undercharged or faulty battery it becomes more important than ever during the winter months that batteries are regularly charged.

Figures released by many breakdown companies place battery failure as the single biggest cause of breakdowns during the winter. At freezing temperatures an engine’s starting power requirement can increase by as much as 250% when compared to that of a summer’s day. Furthermore with additional drains on the battery e.g. heated screens and seats, headlights and an increase in short journeys during the winter, the battery is being placed under a huge amount of strain – no wonder breakdown companies are so busy!

Motorists are lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to the state of their battery during the warmer autumn months. If the battery is undercharged during this period it will still probably be able to start the vehicle as it doesn’t need as much energy to get the engine going. Motorists don’t therefore realise that their battery is becoming discharged. When temperatures do begin to drop, the battery won’t have enough charge to start the engine – in other words you will get a flat battery.

It’s really important that you  choose a battery charger that is fit for purpose. Many battery chargers lack the sophistication required charge batteries to 100% capacity during the colder winter months. The colder weather means that the battery electrolyte is denser which could drastically increase battery charge times or result in the battery not being charged to full capacity.

MXS 5.0 Polar uses MXS 5.0 charger with additional features developed to solve particular problems that occur when charging in extremely low temperatures. The charger’s Polar Mode is a special cold weather feature that delivers a higher 15V charge to ensure a 100% charge is achieved, quickly, safely and even in the coldest of conditions.

As vehicle technology becomes increasingly complex, so does the requirement for greater support from the battery so that it can provide optimum power to the vehicle – it is the heart of the vehicle and without regular battery charging with a good quality battery charger motorists are at huge risk of breakdown.

Can you extend battery life?

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As we mentioned last week in our blog, around 1 in 5 vehicles arriving in workshops have a battery problem and many of these problems can result in significantly shortened battery life.

There are 3 main causes of shortened battery life:

Sulphation – occurs when the battery is left undercharged and the electrolyte solution begins to break down, converting into lead sulphate crystals that coat the battery plates, reducing the batteries ability to accept and hold a charge. CTEK’s patented desulphation stage shakes the plates to remove the crystals to ensure the maximum capacity of the battery is available to accept the charge.

Acid stratification – a situation whereby the two liquids in a battery (battery acid and water) begin to separate, severely reducing the batteries capability to hold a charge. RECOND mode, featured on many CTEK chargers can safely address this problem by ‘stirring up’ the liquids without danger of overcharging or fluid loss.

Drying out – overcharging modern ‘maintenance free’ batteries can dry out the electrolyte and/or damage the plates, a common problem with batteries that are left attached to an old technology trickle type charger for a long time or from delivering a charge that is too powerful for the battery. All CTEK smart chargers continuously check the state of the battery throughout the charging process to prevent the risk of over, or under charging, maximising charge levels and guarding against fluid loss.

To extend battery life, we recommend regular use of a battery charger. The CTEK range of smart chargers offer a unique, patented approach to battery charging, available at the touch of a button, to ensure that any lead-acid battery is optimally conditioned, charged and maintained, indefinitely if required. Using advanced technology to measure the battery’s power and health, the CTEK charging system will ensure that the appropriate action is taken to maximise the power and lifetime of the battery. Its unique technology means that it can safely maintain all types of vehicle battery including wet/flooded, calcium, gel, and the latest Start-Stop AGM and EFB technology.

Charging ahead with Lithium-Ion technology…

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Here at CTEK we have just launched the Lithium XS, a high efficiency, diagnostic 5A battery charger, specially designed to recharge and balance the cells of Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.

So we thought that we would take a look at Lithium-Ion technology, what it is being used for and the potential challenges that we face in maintaining them.

Whilst in the vehicle arena Lithium-Ion batteries are a relatively new concept they have actually been around for a number of years. Indeed lithium-ion batteries are incredibly well used – you can find them in laptops, PDAs, mobile phones and iPods. And the reason for their popularity is that they are lightweight, safe (just think how much we throw our mobile phone about) and hold twice the energy of a nickel-based battery – many of these benefits have huge appeal to car, motorcycle and other vehicle owners.

There are many different chemistries of Lithium-Ion batteries and when talking about vehicle batteries it is the Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery that is used as a direct replacement for the lead acid battery typically found in vehicles. Indeed the Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery holds four times more energy that of a lead acid battery and is much more light-weight. For these reasons we are starting to see the introduction of Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LifePO4) batteries in sports cars such as the McLaren MP4-12C (where weight is a priority) and other more niche markets such as mobility scooters are also increasing the use of them.

So why aren’t we all using them? Well the Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery doesn’t come without challenges…

Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are more expensive than their lead acid equivalent. Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries sometimes do not work to full potential in cold climates, at least until it warms up under a working load

But, all in all the future is looking bright for the Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. But don’t forget, whilst Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are lower maintenance alternatives to lead-acid, it’s still a good idea to invest in a specialized Lithium-Ion battery maintenance system like the CTEK Lithium XS. Developed using CTEK’s advanced and patented charging platform, the Lithium XS charger will ensure that batteries are charged to maximum capacity to deliver peak power performance every time the vehicle is started, and extend the life of these high performance, high cost batteries.

Start thinking about the Winter!

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The performance and lifespan of lead-acid batteries are seriously inhibited when exposed to temperature extremes whether hot, or more critically cold and as a result, effective battery management during the winter is not only essential for the wellbeing of the battery, but in ensuring that your vehicles don’t fall victim to costly call outs. But really, you shouldn’t be waiting for the Winter months to roll in – you should be thinking about charging your battery now.

Here are a few basic winter-related battery facts

  • At around 0°C a lead acid battery loses around 20% of its capacity, at -30°C it loses around 50% of its capacity (dependant on age and condition). This is due to the whole chemical reaction process within the battery slowing down leading to reduced power output.
  • Because low temperature affects the chemical reaction this means even when the vehicle is running the batteries ability to accept charge drops and the Battery doesn’t charge as quickly
  • If a battery is in a low state of charge (as above) during extreme weather it can easily freeze, which can be very dangerous if attempting a ‘jump’ start. Because of the low state of charge the specific gravity of the electrolyte within the battery is reduced so it becomes more like water so freezes more easily.
  • 85% of all battery failures are due to Sulphation (caused by a low state of charge).The more active surface area you have on battery plates the better the output, the sulphation process reduces the active plate area leading to less power output

We are all lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to the state of our battery during the summer months. If the battery is undercharged during the warmer weather it will still probably be able to start the vehicle as it doesn’t need as much energy to get the engine going. Motorists don’t therefore realise that their battery is becoming discharged. What this could mean, is that when Autumn arrives and temperatures begin to drop, the battery won’t have enough charge to start the engine – in other words you will get a flat battery.

So don’t delay, protect against a flat battery on the first cold morning by giving your battery a good overnight charge now.

Are you coming to Automechanika?

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During September we will be exhibiting at Automechanika, considered by many to be the world’s leading trade fair for the automotive industry. It is taking place in Frankfurt on 11th – 16th September and provides visitors with the opportunity to visit the 8 halls filled with a unique spectrum of products from the fields of automotive parts, car washing, workshop and filling-station equipment, IT products and services, accessories and tuning.

We will be showcasing our ranges of consumer and professional smart battery chargers that will ensure any 12V or 24V battery is optimally conditioned, charged and maintained. If you are attending Automechanika please come and visit us to discover how our award winning product range can provide complete battery management and care from one unique and patented system.

We will also be using the event as an opportunity to launch some new products and accessories.

So come along and find us at Hall 3, Level 1, Stand F81 – we look forward to seeing you there.

Opening times 2012

11-15th Sept – 9am to 6pm

16th Sept – 9am to 5pm

 

Don’t forget the alternator!

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Recent research amongst fleet workshops has revealed that 1 in 3 fleet vehicles entering the workshop has a battery requiring attention. With the continued evolution of complicated and sensitive electrical systems we predict that this figure may well rise – placing not only the battery but also the vehicle alternator at risk of premature failure.

The failure of a fleet vehicle poses huge problems for workshops, not only in terms of replacement costs but more importantly, loss of revenue. Battery failure at the depot or worse en-route to a customer could potentially mean missing a scheduled delivery slot or being unable to deliver a time-critical load.

With margins being continuously squeezed it is imperative that each and every vehicle in a fleet is working cost effectively. Battery and alternator replacements are proving costly and battery related failures waste time, resource and more importantly can affect a company’s profit and reputation.

Fleet vehicles, in particular those making frequent drops, are more susceptible to battery failure. Every time the vehicle is started, 150 – 350A is drawn from the battery and if the next delivery is a short distance away, the alternator won’t have the time or indeed the capability to replace the draw on the battery and so, over multiple drops, the charge within the battery becomes lower and lower, placing it at risk of sulphation or even worse failure. Low battery charge means that the alternator is being worked hard – reducing its life significantly.

It’s a myth that the alternator can bring the battery up to maximum capacity and the short journeys often undertaken by fleet vehicles means that the alternator is working flat out all of the time, with no hope of even coming close to charging the battery.

Whilst it had long been recognised that battery life can be significantly extended through regular battery charging, the alternator has long been overlooked.