Are CTEK Battery Chargers any good?

Technical Area Electrics & ICE
41

I have just bought an Aldi “Auto XS” smart charger for my 2019 ND (with iStop). On reading the instructions it states that you should disconnect the battery from the car before connecting the charger. From what I gather on here, people connect their chargers to the battery whilst it is in the car and still connected to the car. Is this the case just the case for CTEK type gauges or have people also connected Aldi “Auto XS” smart chargers whilst the battery is still connected to the car? I don’t really want to have to disconnect the battery from the car as a number of systems have to be reset after having done so.

Cheers.

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42

I use a CTEK and leave the battery connected all the time. :+1:

43

I have both CTEK and ALDI versions, I use both with the batteries in the cars and connected, with no problems so far.

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44

Is that on an ND?

45

I have used it on an ND in the past. I believe it had to be used on “frost” mode because of the type of battery used on the stop-start ND.

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46

Best practice is NOT to put the - Black directly onto the battery.

Put the + Red directly to the battery and the - Black to an earth point on the car. There are some bolts near the suspension top mounts that are handy and suitable.

You should have a short lead with circular mounting tabs on one end and a plug on the other. You can mount this permanently in the way I highlighted above instead of using the crocodile clips.
:heart:

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47

Another vote for CTek, I have the extension plug on mine so that I can connect it and close the bonnet.

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48

Just a note to say that this is an ND1, no i-stop so direct connection to the - will not be a problem.
The ND2 with i-stop has a sensor attached so it is better to use a body earthing point for the - just to avoid any potential problems.
:heart:

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49

Yes good point, another reason not to have i-stop!!

50

Although mines an NC, yes my Aldi battery charger gets connected straight on the battery in car, no need to disconnect.
For what’s worth I have stop/start on my other car a SEAT and use the Aldi/Lidl chargers on that but as mentioned the earth clip goes an earthing point on the top of the engine.:+1:

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