I have been meaning to order a battery conditioner for a bit. Based on Jaguar and Porsche forum feedback CTEK gets the vote, but not sure what model number is a fit for the XJR X308.

After reviewing the posts went to buy the CTEK 5.0 - 12 Volt, but Amazon has the ‘CTEK 40-206 MCS 5.0-12 Volt Battery Charger’ as non compatible.

Found another site that has a different model with a Jaguar specific port adapter.

https://www.juiceyourride.com/produc...SABEgLFk_D_BwE


Can someone give me the model compatible with our x308’s and is anyone using this port adapter or is meant for newer models?


Thanks for your assistance.

 

Not sure exactly why a charger would be listed as "not compatible" unless you're running a lithium battery. I have a couple 0.8 CTeks, a Battery Tender Jr, an old Schumacher tender, and a CTek 4.3. All have been used at various times on my Jag, which has an H8 AGM battery in it. Those chargers are all also used on other AGM batteries in my motorcycles as well as a few Optimas I have laying around ( yeah, I'm a battery *****....)
Bottom line, unless you are using a lithium battery in your car any CTek should work. The primary difference between my 0.8s and 4.3s is the speed at which they will recover a depleted battery. They all come with various connection options including SAE (for the bikes), ring terminals, and spring clamps so you can pick what works best for you.
-Steve-
9

 

Many thanks for your response. I will get the order for the CTEK 40-206 MCS 5.0-12 Volt Battery Charger in.

 

Amps...if the charger can't maintain at least 750-900 amps for cold cranking it won't work. Also, if you plan on getting an AGM battery (I just did a month ago), you'll need to be sure the charger is AGM compatible. Battery Tenders are AGM compatible if the light blinks red when they are only plugged in to 110v. That means it is a 4 step charger. Btw BR, Battery Tender is made in Deltona...buy local, buy American.

 

I have three CTEK for my three cars. My XJR’s battery is maintained by a model MXS 3.8. Have been using it for about 4 years now. Never a problem.
And I have installed a pretty heffty battery, Varta G14, 95Ah, 850A/12V which is really for cars with start-stop mechanism
Not sure if this model is still available, I believe it has been replaced with the Model MXS 5.0

My other two cars are an Alfa Spider and a Mercedes W123. I have been using even smaller CTEK models on those. Obviously, their batteries are rated much lower. So far I have never ever had any problems with the batteries on any of my cars. These are all hobby cars that are only used occasionally and are permenantly hooked up to a CTEK when parked in my garage

Jeroen

 

I run NOCO Genius G1100 (1.1 Amp) on my X308, which is constantly connected via eyelets when not in use(car's driven 2-3x per week). It's been flawless 4 years now.

 

Well my NOCO 1100 finally died this week but 6+ years of constant use is a win. Replaced it with the NOCO Genius 5 which is 5 amps w/ more maintenance/repair options.

 

Personally I like the Ampeak Smart Charger, which is fully automatic and gives AGM a substantial boost.

 

Hi, I finally got the courage to hook it up to the block. However, as I was loosening the bolt that holds the ground cable from the batter to the floor of the trunk, it started sparking, the horn started honking, and lights were flashing. I quickly tightened it back up and everything seems fine. That was just loosening the ground. What did I do wrong? Thanks.

 

Did you have another thread you were posting in about this?...it sure sounds like it.

 

Thank You!

 

It is important to differentiate between a battery charger, and a battery conditioner.
Usually, the amount of amps produced is the difference but there are other certain
characteristics which may be involved for your particular application.

 

This is correct, and the CTEK units are primarily battery conditioner/maintainers with a brain. They will charge a sound battery but this will take a long time because it is done safely, at very low amps, using different charging cycles. Once the battery is tested, desulphated, and charged, the unit goes into maintenance mode and it can be left connected, safely, indefinitely…My cars are all on CTEKs all the time when not in use, and sometimes that is for months. The result is very long battery life, and zero electronic issues.

Note: any 12v CTEK unit (even the most basic) will keep the X308 battery maintained properly but if your battery is an AGM battery, it requires a different charging pattern. Some, but not all the CTEK units have an AGM setting.

 

Thanks Sov...very informative. Mine is a daily driver so not much need for conditioning,
however, there are those in the forum who will find that information very useful

 

What's nice about these battery conditioners, they seem to be rather reliable, no matter the brand. I don't recall anyone complaining about any manufacturer.

I use Battery Tenders, I have 3, and have been for over 17 yrs. I got over 12 yrs out of my Die Hard in my Jag from the use of these devices. I have had one on my Corvette's latest battery for around 5 yrs now as well.

 

I've been using the CTEK MSX 5.0 on my '07 XK with great results as it's not a daily driver. I use it in standard maintain mode. Does anyone have any experience or recommendation in the use of 'recondition' mode?

 

The CTEK unit will give you an indication of a need for using the reconditioning mode, I think, by not reaching full charge. But a battery regularly kept fully charged will not need reconditioning.

 

Thank you, this makes sense.

 

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If you don't want to use eyelets on the battery, there is an accessory power plug in the trunk. If the X308 is like my X305, and I don't see why it wouldn't be, it uses a Faston Series 250 3-way connector (+batt, +ign, gnd). The accessory's constant power goes through a 10A fuse, so big-amp chargers can't use it but maintainers are fine.