Quote:
Originally Posted by shertex
Funny what people love to argue about.... 
For many years I had a Battery Tender Plus...no complaints.
Whatever marketing hype there may be, the CTEK was worth my buying for at least these reasons: (1) higher amperage, (2) distinct charging stages that can be monitored (I realize there may be chargers that charge in stages without displaying the stages), (3) the analysis as to whether the battery can keep a charge at stage 5, (4) the reconditioning program (although that doesn't matter with AGM it's nice to have for FLA), and (5) the quick connects...which is a GREAT convenience feature for batteries that live in the trunk. |
Definitely "funny". 4.3A is literally nothing when it comes to a battery charger. It won't revive a flat FLA battery, not enough current to redissolve the sulfate built up on the plates. The charging "phases" are a gimmick too. Any modern charger goes through the same steps and doesn't bother with the readout. The battery is good or bad, that's all you actually care about.
My 12A Schumacher was under $50 delivered to my house, has ALL of the features of the CTEK except the stage readout thing, has saved multiple "dead" batteries in its life, and will recharge a "dead" FLA battery in 4-6 hours. It lights up the green light when the battery is charged and in "maintenance" mode, or lights up the red light when it determines the battery is toast. Easy.