Looking to upgrade to a CETEK, but find there are way to many models, $150-$1,000,
Need one for winter storage and summer sitting unused in the garage.
Looking at the MUS 4.3 Test and Charge, and the PRO 25S, 25SE, MXS25EC
Good choices ? What's the most common one used for Jags. (mine is a 2010 XK)

 

Most people in UK seem to use the CTEK MXS 5 that can be bought for around £60 (US$80) from battery suppliers or Amazon. I've been using one for about 6 years on my 2011 XKR to good effect - never had a battery problem since I bought it, using it almost continuously now in my garage as I am only doing very low mileage currently. I've just bought a new one for £52 through a special offer and extra discount through another forum. You don't need to be spending $150-1000!

 

Using the MXS 5 as well, the test and charge feature on the other model you've mentioned is useless.

 

+1 to the MXS 5.0. Purchased as CTEK and not Jaguar branded equivalent.

I have two of them.

Graham

 

I have used and continue to use several different CTEK units on my cars. The truth is that unless you have an AGM battery (for which you should use a CTEK unit that has an AGM charging cycle), any of the 12 volt CTEK maintainers do the same thing in the end. They analyse, desulphate and bring the battery to full charge gently and slowly.
My F-Type has an AGM battery; my X-Type does not. The CTEK unit that has the AGM cycle also has one for flooded batteries...some units have more steps from analysis to full charge and consequently a more impressive array of LED signals, but really, in the end what you want is a fully charged battery. All these CTEK units, regardless of price or specification, will bring the battery to full charge and keep it that way for months and months with no attention needed.

 

If in doubt, get the smaller CTEK.

You just want to maintain a car battery, NOT quick charging it, NOT loading a truck battery.

Hermann

 

But not the "smallest". You just don't want the 0.8 amp model. If by some chance the computer modules in your Jaguar fail to go into their power saving mode after shutting off the ignition and locking the doors, it will draw more than a 0.8 amp charger can keep up with and the battery will go flat anyway. The reason they sell such small amperage units at all is for very old classic cars (pre-computer, no clock or radio station presets). For something like an old VW Beetle, you install a battery isolation switch and just switch it off when not in use. But if its going to be stored for a very long time, standard lead-acid batteries still self-discharge maybe a half percent to one percent a day depending on the temperature so you still need a float charger, just no need to spend money for extra amperage you don't need. For your Jaguar with computers, stick with one of the 4.3 amp models.

 

Here is a link to Amazon for the Ctek at $83. You may need to get an "extension cord" called a comfort something or other in Ctek lingo as well: