Maintenance Charger

The ideal charger for everyday use

For times when the mechanic can work out the issue - other than the battery

The MXS 3.8 is an advanced battery charger and maintainer. It has selectable programs for use on different sized batteries from the small ride-on lawn mower or motorcycle or jetski then normal mode for larger batteries and charging on cold days, also known as AGM mode.

The MXS 3.8 microprocessor controlled 7 step battery charger and maintainer is suitable for batteries from 1.2Ah-85Ah. Features include battery diagnosis to establish whether your battery can receive and retain a charge and a ‘Snowflake’ program for charging on cold days or to charge AGM batteries like those used in Start/Stop vehicles. The MXS 3.8 uses CTEK’s patented float/pulse system, which is the most efficient maintenance mode when a battery is connected for long periods. The MXS 3.8 is simple to use and you can follow the whole charging process on the clear, easy to read display.

• Fully automatic ‘click and connect’ 7 step charging
• Smaller battery, normal battery and cold weather programs
• Charges batteries up to 85A
• Reverse polarity protected

Technical information
Ambient temperature; -20˚C to +50˚C
Positioning; Portable
Warranty; 5 years
Input; 220–240VAC, 50–60Hz, 0.5A max
Output; 14.4V/14.7V, 3.8A max
Start voltage; 2.0V
Back current drain*; Corresponding to less than 1Ah/month
Battery types; 12V:, WET, MF, Ca/Ca, AGM, GEL
Battery capacity; 1.2–130Ah
Insulation class; IP65 (splash and dust proof)
Model Number; 56-988

Popularity, looks, performance and functionality

When one charger has it all what more can be said?

The MXS 5.0 is the most common battery charger within the CTEK range. It covers all batteries under 100Ah which is most of what the average user will need to charge. The charger has a 0.8A motorcycle mode for small batteries up to 32Ah, a normal charging voltage mode of 14.4V, an AGM mode at 14.7V and a Recond mode at 15.8V. Any two or more combinations can be selected by pressing the MODE button. You can use 0.8A at 14.7V with a Recond (stage 6) or 5A charging at 14.4V by selecting the Car mode only.

So with all the endless options for maintenance charging, fast charging of small batteries and storage charging of larger batteries, desulphation and equalisation this truely is a one stop charging 12V power house that punches well above it's weight.

• Fully automatic
• 8 step 12V charging
• AGM program
• Built-in automatic temperature compensation

Technical information
Ambient temperature; -20˚C to +50˚C
Positioning; Portable
Warranty; 5 years
Input; 220–240VAC, 50–60Hz, 0.6A max
Output; 14.4V/14.7V/15.8V, 5.0A max
Start voltage; 2.0V
Back current drain*; Corresponding to less than 1Ah/month
Battery types; 12V:, WET, MF, Ca/Ca, AGM, GEL
Battery capacity; 1.2–160Ah
Insulation class; IP65 (splash and dust proof)
Model Number; 56-987

These are terms used to describe the function of a charger. A workshop charger is designed and maybe even styled to best suit a workshop. A maintenance charger is best suited to maintaining the batteries state of charge. Typically (but shouldn't be) relating to small batteries, and therefore the chargers are low current output.

Larger batteries like a house bank on a boat or motorhome are large (over 200Ah) and require at least 20A to charge, but once the bulk charge is complete that same charger will be able to supply a lower current at a lower voltage to maintain the batteries state of charge. Therefore it is a charger and a maintainer.

This is not typically true the other way around. A low current output maintainer cannot charge up a flat battery. i.e. if the maintenance charger was 1A it would struggle to charge anything larger than a 20Ah battery (from below 10v) but it would be very capable to keep maintained a battery that size if only 20% discharged. (meaning it still have 80% of its own capacity inside the battery). The internal resistance of the battery is the limiting factor and differs from brand to brand, Ah, temperature, condition and age of battery so no rule can really be set as a guide.

With the WALL HANGER PRO you can mount your CTEK workshop charger on the wall using the supplied metal bracket or you can also use the strap to carry it around with you. The WALL HANGER PRO's durable rubber-coated frame not only gives your charger extra stability but also protects your vehicle against scratches. It comes with a 2-year warranty.