I'd be grateful for advice here. I need to buy an additional charger/maintainer. I find that the number of battery issues increases proportionately with the number of cars you own, and my F Type is a new addition.
Not used CTEK before, but I know they are highly rated. My question number 1 is, the ads state that they are fully weatherproof for use outdoors. Does this mean that the charger unit itself can be left exposed to the elements (including rain) when in use, or simply that it is ok left under the bonnet outside?
Question number 2: can you connect the charger to the jump-start terminals under the bonnet, or do you have to access the boot? My car is a 2015 V6S

Thanks in advance!

 

I have mine connected to the terminal under the hood. I drilled a hole in the wide copper positive terminal to secure the CTEK positive ring terminal.
With a bit of judicious cutting the red plastic cover even fits over the assembled terminal.
The negative ring terminal is secured under an adjacent threaded stud.
I was able to find a channel in front of the wheel well that allows the CTEK cable to fit with the hood completely closed.
Regarding the CTEK unit itself, I would guess it is weatherproof but it would be easy to wrap it in a plastic bag and place it up on top of the front wheel out of the rain.

 

Ctek state this

• Splash and dust proof (IP65)

so not waterproof as such

An IP65 rated enclosure gives protection against low pressure water jets from any direction, as well as condensation and water spray. It's suitable for most outdoor enclosures that won't encounter extreme weather such as flooding.

 

If you are concerned, you could easily leave the CTEK unit under the closed hood and simply run your extension cable out by the wheel well to your electrical outlet.

 

Thanks all, answers my queries. Yes, I think a bit of protection for the unit would be a good idea then. Good to know I can connect under the bonnet rather than the boot.

 

One more input: If you do decide to drill the wide positive hood terminal, it is made of copper and even slow drilling throws off a lot of fine copper filings.
Suggest you tape a protective plastic or cloth around the terminal to catch the copper particles, rather than let them shower down.

 

I did exactly this back in early 2017, see here and the linked post: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...7/#post2308647

As I said I can connect my battery tender (a proper 8 stage 15 amp jobby) in ten seconds flat simply by flicking the pigtail connector out from where it is tucked under the edge of the hood, and I don't even need to unlock the car let alone open the hood or trunk.
Works great, never had a single problem, and the battery is still going strong despite being the original now 6.4 years old.

 

+1 (or is it two) on CJS Jag and OzXFR's connection suggestions. I believe you can buy an extension for your CTEK so you can keep the charger box inside and have only the low voltage cable exposed to the weather. Run the cable as OzXFR suggests in his post. That way, if you happen to drive off with the CTEK still connected, it simply unplugs it for you with no damage done to the car or charger.. Not that I've ever done that......

 

LOL. I’ve driven off with it attached twice and my wife even drove three miles with it attached before discovering it after she parked. Other than some scapes on the case it’s a very durable sucker. Still works like a charm 5 years later. My wall socket cover did not fair as well.

 

Any particular model(s) of CTek you would recommend for AWD R ?

 

I use the MXS 5.0.

 

Thanks all for your help!

 

Regarding 'weather durability', my MXS 5.0 was outside through the whole of a British Autumn and Winter and was laying on the gravel driveway the whole time. Not had a single problem with it

 

wow!