 | Home > Technical > CTEK charger question |
 
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| dunc Member Since: 31 Dec 2015 Location: surrey Posts: 132   
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I have been using a CTEK MXS 5.0 charger on my 2016 Defender when I'm not able to use. It wouldn't start today, the alarm triggered, didn't turn over etc. The battery is flat and the recovery guy reckons these chargers don't work as well when connected via the cigarette lighter (which mine is). Apparently it is better to connect direct to the battery with crocodile clips.
I don't recall reading about this before on the forum. Has anyone else encountered this - a charger not working correctly/fully when connected via the cigarette lighter? My battery has now been replaced by the recovery chap, I do not want the new one to go the same way as the last. |
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9th Jan 2018 11:45am |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816  
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As far as I know the cigarette lighter is no permanent live. So not connected when key is not in the contact and in the “on” position.
Just install a 12S plug, buy one of Martin’s adaptors and you are good to go. Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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9th Jan 2018 12:05pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8578
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I am not convinced that all 12 volt sockets are permanently live so that may well be an issue.
A 2016 battery needs replacing because it has gone flat? My gut feeling is that the battery needed a good charge maybe on a reconditioning charger. Would a battery less then 2 years old have its plates sulphated up badly? Would the plates be buckled so causing an internal short circuit? I have my doubts about the need to replace the battery rather then give the old one a good charge. If you invest in a cTek comfort connector such asthis would be a good investment. HTH Brendan |
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9th Jan 2018 12:07pm |
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| Swine&Small Member Since: 20 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1223
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Hi. I have been using the "cigarette lighter" on my Defender 90 for 18 months and for 5 years on my VW T5 Camper. Neither have given me any problems, both have been laid up for 4/5 months at a time occasionally and started straight away.
I use a CTEK 7 on both , but would suggest that your problem was either a bad connection in the "lighter", a dodgy battery, or a faulty charger.  1983 Series 3 Pick up in Marine Blue
1967 Morris Traveller 1966 Morris Convertible 2012 VW T5 Camper Quod Abundat Non Obstat. |
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9th Jan 2018 12:10pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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Made a quick test. My cigarette lighter is only live when the key is inserted in the contact and turned to the second "on" position. Pretty sure 99% of all cars are wired like that, guess all Pumas standard ex Solihull too.
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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9th Jan 2018 12:29pm |
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| Swine&Small Member Since: 20 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1223
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Just did a quick test on mine and the lighter is live when the ignition is off. Maybe the previous owner had it rewired during his 6 months ownership. He appeared to been one of those owners who spends a fortune on the vehicle and never actually used it.
Never thought to check before as it always worked on mine.Sorry to mislead. 1983 Series 3 Pick up in Marine Blue 1967 Morris Traveller 1966 Morris Convertible 2012 VW T5 Camper Quod Abundat Non Obstat. |
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9th Jan 2018 12:50pm |
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| tookaphotoof Member Since: 18 Mar 2013 Location: dordrecht Posts: 1279  
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Mine’s off as well, but I just have one installed which is always live. This way I can choose to charge batteries when not at home and charge the car battery itself when I am.
 Click image to enlarge |
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9th Jan 2018 1:05pm |
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| Swine&Small Member Since: 20 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1223
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Just thought, I have to turn my lighter plug connected Satnav off manually or it stays on all the time after the key is removed so it must be a live one
 1983 Series 3 Pick up in Marine Blue
1967 Morris Traveller 1966 Morris Convertible 2012 VW T5 Camper Quod Abundat Non Obstat. |
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9th Jan 2018 1:33pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16876 
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The lighter on my 2007 2.4 is only live with the key turned, and it was my understanding that all Pumas (as well as most earlier models) left the factory like this.
It would certainly explain the OP's flat battery! |
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9th Jan 2018 1:43pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1758 
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My 1999TD5 standard lighter socket is only live with ignition on too. It's pretty standard behaviour.
All the ones I've fitted are permanent live however! |
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9th Jan 2018 1:46pm |
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| dunc Member Since: 31 Dec 2015 Location: surrey Posts: 132
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Well thanks boys for clearing that up - doh!
I have used battery savers/chargers for many years on many different vehicles, all via the cigarette lighter, without problem. Should have known the Defender would be different. |
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9th Jan 2018 2:56pm |
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| discomog Member Since: 09 May 2015 Location: Notts/Lincs Border Posts: 2496 
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I use a Ctek charger and charge it via the 13 pin tow socket connected through pins 9 and 13. If your on a 7 pin tow socket you'll need to install a 12S socket and connect through pins 4 and 3.
Martin, site sponsor has made up connectors for both 12S and 13 pin Defender 90XS SW Mini Countryman Cooper S Morgan Plus 8 |
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9th Jan 2018 4:20pm |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6480 
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Site owner
http://www.defender2.net/shop/tow-electric...c-p45.html 1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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9th Jan 2018 5:09pm |
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| Mr Fox Member Since: 10 Sep 2011 Location: green & pleasant land Posts: 1023 
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Would have been the perfect solution if I didn't have the 7 pin 12N
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9th Jan 2018 6:19pm |
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