Battery maintainer issues

Hi,i use a ctek mxs 5.0 on my 2011 458 it is far superior to the Ferrari supplied maintainer ( which is also made by ctek but badged Ferrari.) The 5.0 model can be used on AGM batteries and also has the ability to charge flat batteries, don't ask me how i know.I strongly recommend it.

 

Hi, that is the mxs7.0 the next charger up from the mxs 5.0.

 

I too do not use that same CTEK oem trickler …. but a "universal one" of local store, price is $ 30 !

Works perfect !

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You can remove the plug in adaptor from the Stock Ferrari one and plug it into the end of the 7002 rather than buy another

 

The 7002 cytek has more features than the stock and the 5.0. Yes that is the unit you pictured on Amazon for 116.00. You can remove the stock end adapter plug easily from Ferrari on your stock unit by simply unplugging it then replugging into the new one. That part of the plug ,plugs into your car. I did this with mine recently without issues.

 

You can cut off the wire + plug and connect it to ANY trickler …..

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I have a strange question.
I was looking at the instructions for the Ctek 5.0 (similar instructions to other models), and the setting for AGM batteries seems to be confusing.
The regular car setting says it's for "many AGM batteries", and the AGM setting says it's for "most AGM batteries like Optima and Odyssey".
What does that mean? What setting is used for batteries other than Optima and Odyssey? What setting is used for Interstate AGM, or Exide AGM?

 

I answered my own question by calling Ctek, and Interstate. I posted here to help anyone with the same question.
The bottom line is that Certain AGM batteries need 14.4V to charge optimally, and others need 14.7V. The only way to know is to ask the battery manufacturer (sometimes printed on battery also). If it needs 14.4V, then it's charged with the regular setting like any old battery. If it needs the 14.7V, then you need to use the AGM setting to get the best performance. Optima and Odyssey need the AGM setting, and the Interstate AGM battery just uses the regular setting. I'm not sure about any other brands.

 

If the battery says it's an AGM battery then use the AGM setting. Had the same question answered by Interstate battery center @ replacing with AGM Interstate H6.

 

I apparently got a slightly different story (according to battery manufacturer tech support AND Ctek tech support), and to be honest, the first level Interstate tech support guy sounded like he was making stuff up when I called, so I got more technical and he had to send me up to the next level who gave me a more technical answer, and it matched with Ctek guys answer. Both answered as following:

Some AGM batteries require 14.4V for optimal charging, and other AGM's require 14.7 for optimal charging. If it requires 14.4, then the charger should be set to the "regular" setting. If it requires 14.7V, then it requires the AGM setting. However, in the cold weather, all batteries require the Snowflake/AGM setting. In my case, I purchased the 5.0 charger which automatically does the cold weather setting, so I only have to worry about AGM or non-AGM. My Interstate battery happens to be one that should be charged on the "regular" setting. All that said, the Ctek tech support guy said that either setting would technically work without a problem, but for the best results and the healthiest longest lasting battery, one should use the proper settings (as I described above).

 

In your case you need to use the snowflake mode when it gets cold out

 

My very sophisticated non-oem charger seems never to exceed 13,5 Volt .. and is in very good shape...

It has a screen that shows that ... see above posting # 6

Normal CTEKs don't show actual voltage at all