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.

With modern vehicles full of complex and sensitive electrical equipment that constantly draw current from the battery, an ever increasing number of mechanical faults from new and older vehicles alike are battery related. Indeed ADAC reported that battery related faults were bucking the trend – in almost all other areas where there is a technical component there was a slight decrease in breakdowns.

It’s clear to see that the problems associated with batteries are growing rapidly in line with the increasing demands on batteries, as vehicles become ever more reliant upon them for all manner of tasks. It is a common misconception that these problems only affect older vehicles. In fact newer vehicles are also particularly at risk and that includes brand new models.

Unfortunately, many new vehicles experience battery discharge prior to delivery to the customer, resulting in a short term problem immediately thereafter and the customer feeling that there is a more significant problem with the vehicle. Similarly, if a vehicle is not used for a few days or only used on short journeys, the battery can become discharged leading to the expense of a replacement battery or callout charge. Given these problems can be simply and cost effectively resolved with regular battery maintainance, many consumers are choosing to add a battery charger to their essential garage maintenance kit.

Our unique range of smart chargers optimise the performance of lead-acid batteries by determining accurate readings of a battery’s charge and ensuring the appropriate action is taken to optimise the battery for use, thereby prolonging a battery’s life to the benefit of both the vehicle owner and the environment.

For further details on the full range of CTEK chargers and accessories visit www.ctek.com

CTEK National Sales Manager (Australia & New Zealand), Mr Robert Briggs at the CTEK stand

We recently attended the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Expo, that attracted almost 8,000 trade and industry visitors to the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour. The show was extremely well attended by many of our Australian and New Zealand distributors as well as many important industry contacts.

People visiting our stand were able to hear about the new products that we will be launching over the next 12 months, meet with key CTEK staff and learn about how by using the CTEK unique charging platform, consumers and professionals alike can ensure that batteries are charged to maximum capacity to deliver peak power performance every time the vehicle is started. We were delighted to welcome CTEK Category Manager Peter White to the stand – visitors really enjoyed hearing from him about the many different charging solutions, such as storage, battery maintenance and DC-DC onboard charging, that can be delivered through our extensive product range.

Our presence at the show was further boosted by three of our distributors Ashdown-Ingram, Bainbridge Technologies & Low Voltage who all reported that they had a good show and handed out many of our new product brochures.

All in all a good show was had by all – the automotive aftermarket sector is looking forward to the future with lots of positivity and optimism. We would like to say thank you to everybody who supported the show or visited our stand, we look forward to seeing you at the next one!

The Comfort Connect Cig Plug offers a safe and secure way to draw up to 10A of power from the battery when on the move or in an emergency charging situation when parked – to charge a mobile phone for example. When not required it can be disconnected from the Comfort Connector or Comfort Indicator and stored, allowing a CTEK battery charger to be fitted in its place to restore any charge and maintain the battery in a healthy state.

It might be a simple device but it’s one that offers a host of benefits. It is a quick safe and simple way to add connectivity to your 12V system and provide more ways to utilise your 12V power pack either on the move or when parked.

For more information on the Comfort Connect Cig Plug or any of CTEK’s range of products please visit www.ctek.com

At the show we were able to showcase our complete range of smart battery chargers that will ensure any 12V or 24V battery is optimally conditioned, charged and maintained.

In addition we delivered product demonstrations and providing practical advice on how to use our products to achieve complete battery management and care for the commercial workshop, using our unique system.

It was really encouraging to see that battery maintenance, and the implementation of battery management programmes is becoming a real priority. Manufacturers, transport operators and service contract providers are all looking to meet the demands that complex vehicle technology and battery chemistries are placing on the sector. We were able to hear about how some of our customers are using our products to guarantee vehicle performance and achieve optimum performance from their batteries.

It wasn’t just about big trucks either! We were able to share our on-board DC-DC charging solutions with key boat manufacturers and specialist fitters and even suggested a solution to a school on how they can keep the service battery on their window cleaning truck charged and conditioned.

For further information on all of our products and accessories visit www.ctek.com

Simply search for ‘CTEK’ to download the free application directly to an iPhone or iPad or get it from the App Store by clicking here

Key features to note are:

Products section
See the full exciting range of products and accessories on one page that also contains a brief description of each product.

Individual product view
Tap on an image of the product to get more detailed product information to help you find the best charger for your needs. Learn about how CTEK chargers use smart technology to ensure that batteries are charged to maximum capacity to deliver peak power performance every time the vehicle is started. The individual product view provides really useful product specification, information on charge times and possible applications for the product.

Documents & Resources
With this feature, users will have the ability to distribute and print detailed product details directly from their iPhone or iPad.

Over the past couple of months we have been busy working to create an exciting App platform for CTEK to reflect the ever growing demand for information on the go. We are really pleased with the ease of navigation and simplicity of our App however, this is only version one and we will be adding even more new and interesting features over the next few months!

All of our products are available to look at right now on the App, which is accessible for any iPhone or iPad from the App Store – check it out!

Conductance Testing
Conductance test technology used in the CTEK 12V Battery Analyzer looks to establish the battery’s ability to produce current. It passes a very low current across the battery terminals – there is no discharge of the battery that could potentially upset the ECU or create dangerous sparks. This very passive test method is safe, solid and repeatable – the battery does not need to removed from the vehicle to undertake the test. By undertaking a test in this manner, vehicle owners are given an easily understood picture of battery capability – in other words rather than a set of figures that may not mean a great deal to vehicle owners, the CTEK 12V Battery Analyzer provides a simple explanation of battery capability that eliminates guesswork.

Load Testing
‘Load testing’ does exactly what it says on the tin – it delivers a ‘load’ or current across the battery cells and measures the output delivered back to the tester. This will provide an indication of battery capacity. It is worth remembering though that this method has been around a long time – certainly much longer than an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)! A load test is looking to identify any weakness in the battery by deliberately short circuiting it, placing the battery under severe stress for between 10 – 15 seconds. Apart from being an unreliable way of testing it is also potentially dangerous to the vehicle by posing risk of damage to the sensitive vehicle electronics (ECU) and to the user through sparking and gas explosion. That’s why load tests are only able to be undertaken once the battery has been removed from the vehicle.

Not only is the CTEK 12V Battery Analyzer easy on the battery, it’s also easy on the user too!

The CTEK 12V Battery Analyzer uses patented test functions to safely test the battery in seconds providing an instant on screen result which advises what action should be taken, either:

• Battery Good – the battery is in good condition and there is no need to charge the battery;
• Good Recharge – the battery is in good condition but charging is required to restore capacity;
• Charge and Retest – charge the battery and test again (the Battery Analyzer wants to ensure the battery can retain the charge) or
• Replace Battery – the battery can no longer be relied upon to provide adequate service and should be replaced immediately

So, with its state of the art electronics platform, ease of use and 2 year warranty, the CTEK 12V Battery Analyzer provides the home workshop with a safe, quick and easy picture of battery health without risk of damage to the battery, the user or the vehicle. By regularly checking battery health and taking the appropriate action to maximise the power and lifetime of the battery, vehicle owners can extend the life of their battery by up to 3 times.

Performance: CTEK chargers use smart technology to ensure that batteries are charged to maximum capacity to deliver peak power performance every time the vehicle is started.

Intelligence: Using advanced, patented 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,

Versatility: CTEK battery chargers repair, revive, charge, condition and maintain all types of vehicle battery including wet/flooded, calcium, gel, and the latest Start-Stop AGM and EFB technology

Reassurance: Battery related problems are the number one reason for breakdown assistance call-outs. Regular use of a CTEK charger will ensure that the battery is kept in optimum condition, protecting against the cost, inconvenience and frustration of unexpected breakdown

Simplicity: All CTEK chargers are fully automatic, easy to use and require no specialist knowledge or monitoring simply connect and forget. An easy to read LED display makes the charging process simple to follow.

Safety: The advanced electronics of CTEK mean it is completely safe for the user and the vehicle. No need to disconnect the battery to charge it

Endorsed: CTEK supplies chargers to the world’s most recognised manufacturers including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce.

To view our full range of CTEK chargers and accessories please visit www.ctek.com

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.

It’s a startling fact that around 70% of batteries returned during warranty are returned due to battery discharge rather than fault. Here’s some battery storage best practice:

Temperature: The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C; the extreme allowable temperature is –40°C to 50°C for most chemistries. Lead acid must always be kept at full charge during storage.

Voltage: Since all batteries gradually self-discharge over time, it is important to regularly check the voltage, and then apply a charge when the battery falls below 100% charge. Failure to do this will lead to sulphation. This 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.

Storage: Stock should be used on a first in first out (FIFO) basis. Best practice is on wooden pallets– this is to allow circulation of air at ambient temp (if stored on a cold concrete floor this can create a heat sink). No stacking of batteries – stacking can cause damage to casings/ handles and in extreme cases shorting of the battery below.

Keep Clean: A dirty battery can discharge more quickly than a clean battery (small amounts of voltage can track across the moist dirt to earth speeding the discharge process). Always clean off dirt and moisture

CTEK chargers revive, charge, condition and maintain all types of 12V lead-acid batteries including maintenance free types and all chemistries including Wet, Calcium, GEL and AGM. Chargers are fully automatic, foolproof to connect, spark proof and reverse-polarity protected, for user safety – making them the smart choice in battery care.