Trying to pick a battery charger

[nesbit]

I'm torn between the optimate 6/7, noco genius 10, or ctek mxs 5 to charge my battery when my car sits for a while. But I might also want to use it if I do a uni tune at home. I like that the ctek retains settings after a power fail. I can't find if the others do as well.

If I were to do a tune do I need a charger that supports 'supply mode' or is that only used for powering a 12V device without the car? I'm not sure the CTEK has supply mode like the others...

Any guidance appreciated!

[fzr100098]

Optimate hands down https://www.amazon.com/Tecmate-Optim...KQ6/ref=sr_1_2

[Rguy]

ctek.

[Jetdriver]

I have a CTEK. I have used it for multiple cars. I haven't used it for a uni-tune, though.

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[993140]

I'm torn between the optimate 6/7, noco genius 10, or ctek mxs 5 to charge my battery when my car sits for a while. But I might also want to use it if I do a uni tune at home. I like that the ctek retains settings after a power fail. I can't find if the others do as well. If I were to do a tune do I need a charger that supports 'supply mode' or is that only used for powering a 12V device without the car? I'm not sure the CTEK has supply mode like the others...

I have no idea what a uni tune or a supply mode is but I am using this quite successfully:

MXS 5.0

PXL_20231227_160146939.jpg

[AudiRS#]

Been happy with my ctek for cars and motorcycles.


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[XMetal]

Ctek would be my recommendation. But you may look for one that can output higher Amperage if you want to use it during tuning.

I have a Noco Genius10 and Ctek US3300. I have the Ctek for 16yrs+ and it's my go-to charger. It's much more consistent than the Noco. By consistent, I mean that it shuts off at 14.25V for flooded or14.5V for AGM every single time! The Noco, on the other hand isn't very consistent as when it decides to shut off. I've monitored it a few times and seen that it sometime continues to charge my AGM battery beyond 14.8V! Most AGM doesn't like voltages beyond 14.6V. Because of this inconsistency and worries that it may overcharge my battery, I only use the Noco when I need to change/modify the tune on my car since it can output up to 10A. Or if I decides to use the Noco, I would only use it in Flooded mode to avoid the higher voltage level.

[nesbit]

Ctek would be my recommendation. But you may look for one that can output higher Amperage if you want to use it during tuning.

I have a Noco Genius10 and Ctek US3300. I have the Ctek for 16yrs+ and it's my go-to charger. It's much more consistent than the Noco. By consistent, I mean that it shuts off at 14.25V for flooded or14.5V for AGM every single time! The Noco, on the other hand isn't very consistent as when it decides to shut off. I've monitored it a few times and seen that it sometime continues to charge my AGM battery beyond 14.8V! Most AGM doesn't like voltages beyond 14.6V. Because of this inconsistency and worries that it may overcharge my battery, I only use the Noco when I need to change/modify the tune on my car since it can output up to 10A. Or if I decides to use the Noco, I would only use it in Flooded mode to avoid the higher voltage level.

The optimate model unitronic recommends for tuning is a 5A so I think the Ctek mxs 5 would be comparable. It also appears to be what audi relabels and sells as their charger.

[XMetal]

The optimate model unitronic recommends for tuning is a 5A so I think the Ctek mxs 5 would be comparable. It also appears to be what audi relabels and sells as their charger.

Every tuner appears to have a different recommendation on a battery charger. Cobb recommends a 20A charger. When I was marrying the Cobb AccessPort to my car with the Noco Genius10 attached, I'm seeing that the car was drawing every bit of that 10A output from the Noco and my voltage was dropping ever so slightly during the entire process of about 30-40 minutes. But then again, a lot of people don't even bother hooking up a charger when they tune their cars. So your mileage may vary.

[kevin#34]

I have an Optimate Duo (that I use to recharge lithium batteries and as trickler for std AGM batteries) and also a CTEK msx 5 that I think is 100% capable of supporting a tune (used that for uploading Uni files on both ECU and TCU), especially if you do a full recharing cycle prior to flash ...

[nesbit]

I bought a Ctek mx5 for when it sits a while. But now I'm thinking about getting something stronger if I tune it.

[949]

noco genious pro 25

its pretty good.
does 6v, 12v, 24v
charger, maintainer and desulfator.

pos: lots of features, reliable, good name brand, i trust it not to damage my batteries, has a good onboard CPU, the clamp is super heavy duty, works with lithium and any other battery on the market, retains last memory usage, thick charging cables, professional style/level, solid design/unit. with this unit you can tell where your money is being spent.

cons: large, not enough accessories for my needs, only single button usage prefer multi-button, cable it comes with doesn't twist - must be laid flat.

for me, these were the main points i was looking for.

transportable. comes with a very high quality but large case that can hold all the cables.
highest quality
highest AMPERAGE. this is the most important aspect of any tender/charger.
good and reliable branding
accessories. i didn't do enough research to find out that there are so few accessories for this unit. well, there just wasn't much info but calling them would have given you an answer of, "we are working on more when we have demand".

if you only ever plan to buy one unit, i would say this is the one.
i was going to get the next one up, genius pro50, but it got larger and this one is pretty large as it is for home use.

[XMetal]

noco genious pro 25

its pretty good.
does 6v, 12v, 24v
charger, maintainer and desulfator.

pos: lots of features, reliable, good name brand, i trust it not to damage my batteries, has a good onboard CPU, the clamp is super heavy duty, works with lithium and any other battery on the market, retains last memory usage, thick charging cables, professional style/level, solid design/unit. with this unit you can tell where your money is being spent.

cons: large, not enough accessories for my needs, only single button usage prefer multi-button, cable it comes with doesn't twist - must be laid flat.

for me, these were the main points i was looking for.

transportable. comes with a very high quality but large case that can hold all the cables.
highest quality
highest AMPERAGE. this is the most important aspect of any tender/charger.
good and reliable branding
accessories. i didn't do enough research to find out that there are so few accessories for this unit. well, there just wasn't much info but calling them would have given you an answer of, "we are working on more when we have demand".

if you only ever plan to buy one unit, i would say this is the one.
i was going to get the next one up, genius pro50, but it got larger and this one is pretty large as it is for home use.

That is one pricey charger!

[949]

That is one pricey charger!

well we are talking to the RS group here.

money is not a problem for them.