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Pat



Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 363

Wales 
Simple CTEK charger question.
Having a brother as an electrician I have assisted with several house rewires over the years, including the recent rewire of my current house, but when it comes to car electrics I'm lost.
Don't know why, but I don't have any confidence in tampering with anything electrical on my Defender - probably read too many posts on here about other people's electrical woes.

About to use a CTEK charger for the first time and instruction manual says for batteries inside a vehicle - connect red clamp to battery's positive pole (no problem), connect black clamp to chassis remote from the battery - given that the clamp leads are 40cm long - where do I clamp to?

I'm sure I'm asking a laughable question, but Defender electrics frighten me. It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!
Post #931887 30th Nov 2021 2:54pm
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5725

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
I clamp/attached both my leads straight to the battery. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #931889 30th Nov 2021 3:28pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3141

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
The reason why manufacturers state that is because when connecting the 2nd clamp, effectively closing the circuit, there could be a spark which could ignite any combustible gasses near the battery. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #931890 30th Nov 2021 3:32pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
The Ctek has a plug half way along the leads doesn't it? If so, connect the clamps to the battery whilst disconnected from the charger. There will be no spark as you aren't completing a circuit. Then plug the charger into the leads. The little waterproof connector plug is sealed so no spark will be exposed. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #931892 30th Nov 2021 4:11pm
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Rupert605



Member Since: 27 Dec 2020
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett
Posts: 11

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 V8 Petrol 50th Auto Atlantis Blue
I connect the charger to both terminals on the battery and only then turn on the charger, and when finished turn off the charger, wait half a minute or so for all the lights to extinguish (and in my mind the capacitors to drain although that is probably just wishful thinking) and then disconnect the leads (negative first). I haven't ever seen any sparks and it seems to work ok.

Rupert Defender 50th GB165
Discovery 200 Tdi 1990 (gone)
Post #931893 30th Nov 2021 4:15pm
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hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2218

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Mine is connected directly to both battery terminals > 110 XS Double Cab
> Instagram @simonlanemind
Post #931896 30th Nov 2021 4:26pm
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Pat



Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 363

Wales 
Thanks guys.

From experience I was thinking connect straight to the terminals, but thought for peace of mind I would ask the question.

Cut my teeth on a Series III and then a 90, then waited patiently for over 25 years while family grew up ... electrics had moved on so much by the time I got my Tdi, so many cicuits,fuses, relays to fathom out ... and that's without mentioning the alarm/immobiliser electrics!

Thanks again. It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!
Post #931903 30th Nov 2021 5:03pm
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2284

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Hello Pat...(not a laughable question...)

The CTEK instructions do say...as you say.

Direct to terminals will be OK.

The issue with a Defender is the location of the Battery and if Charging or more likely
using the Maintaining feature of the CTEK Charger is a regular 'thing' then its worth considering
a simple work around to allow easy access to your Battery.

1. If you have 13pin towing electrics installed then this is a simple way to charge your Battery
Martin (when stock shortages aren't a factor) sells a CTEK Towing Connector.

I went this route, so you get the 13pin connector with a short tail wiring into a female CTEK Connector.
You then plug your CTEK Charger into this.

The Other stuff here is my 'it's OK to leave this out in the rain' set up.


Click image to enlarge


2. I would also consider buying a CTEK Indicator Panel and wiring it up to the Battery Terminals and mounting the Connector 'receiver' somewhere 'logical', involves some hole cutting under or around the seat or with luck / adaption you could get this up to and within the Cubby Box. The Indicator Panel also has a simple traffic light battery status display.



Thumbs Up for CTEK (mines been faultless), good luck with yours. SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #931904 30th Nov 2021 5:19pm
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Pat



Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 363

Wales 
Thank you Skip, takes time to write a reply like that ... why I love this forum, so many knowledgeable and helpful members.

I have been doing a little battery maintenance research and had seen your set-up in an older thread. Also discovered Martin's shop to be closed when I discovered my unused trailer socket was a 12n 7pin.

I am correct in thinking 12n socket is black and 12s is grey? And there is a clear difference between the black and grey? It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!
Post #931906 30th Nov 2021 6:17pm
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The Zee



Member Since: 26 May 2019
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 288

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Indus Silver
I go with the flow on this thread, and connect my CTEK MXS-10 directly to the battery terminals, I had thought of fitting the flush fitting indicator plug fitting mentioned, but don't fancy cutting holes in the passager seat box - I don't trust myself not to mess it up! Neutral Zaid-M
www.DefencePhotos.com
2014 Defender 110 Utility, 2.2 Puma, Indus Silver
Not just transport more like a religion
Post #931930 30th Nov 2021 8:18pm
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seriesonenut



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 1205

United Kingdom 
I went one step further and mounted the indicator connector to the outside. Wired (fused) direct to the battery. Got the idea from CTEK ad for quad bikes.

No issues with the weather and no fuss with wires through doors etc.


Click image to enlarge
12v3 by Richard Holmes, on Flickr 2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel
1958 Series One 88 4x2
Post #931932 30th Nov 2021 8:31pm
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2284

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Hello Pat

Martins CTEK > 13Pin Towing Plug is (I believe) a Sealey - TB53 Towing Plug 13-Pin Euro Plastic 12V

Nicely prepared (these Plugs do vary in quality) I've had no issues with mine, just feels right and passes close inspection...


Click image to enlarge


There is a recent D2N thread talking about this approach (of charging through the Towing Loom)
It looks like Pin 9 is + (live) and either 3 or 11 is - (Earth) so the CTEK will pick up on these...


Click image to enlarge


seriesonenut... Genius Thumbs Up


Click image to enlarge


Good Luck... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #931977 1st Dec 2021 9:34am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
I use a simple waterproof box for both the CTEK and the end of the mains lead when I put mine on charge.


Click image to enlarge

I don't leave mine like this all of the time as my Defender is usually in regular use, but circumstances mean that it has sat idle for the last few weeks. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #932009 1st Dec 2021 10:49am
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nitram17



Member Since: 08 Jun 2014
Location: newcastle
Posts: 2260

I have one of these ctek thingies https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Indicator-ey...&psc=1
attached permanently to battery with cable poking out of seatbox just under seat ... i have an extension cable from mains and feed it under door in corner (enough room on mine so i dont damage cable when door closed ) charger is in car on floor. works for me!
Post #932043 1st Dec 2021 2:39pm
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Julie



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: Nantes
Posts: 421

France 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Re: Simple CTEK charger question.
Pat wrote:
I'm sure I'm asking a laughable question, but Defender electrics frighten me.


CTEK sells adaptors for cigar lighters , too
I like that solution because I don't have to access the batteries, I can choose between board and service batterie and the charger is inside ...
Post #932672 6th Dec 2021 9:17pm
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