Product test battery chargers

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Product test battery chargers
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Product test battery chargers

Product test: battery chargers
Battery chargers for motorcycle batteries in the test

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In order for the starter not only to click in the spring, but also to turn vigorously, the battery should be serviced and charged regularly. PS takes a close look at eight modern chargers.

Mathias Heerwagen

04/16/2012


Product test battery chargers


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PS checks what the devices can do and whether the measured values ​​correspond to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Not even all of the chargers have been delivered for this test, and the first practical test has already been carried out. A colleague wants to go home on his motorcycle after work, the bike has been in the underground car park for about four months because he is mostly on his bike or on long-term test motorcycles. He turns the ignition key, presses the starter button – and a little later asks for a charger. Although the multimeter still shows more than 12 volts, the energy is no longer sufficient to start.

Not an isolated case, because more and more motorcyclists ride less and less. The number of bikes with seasonal license plates has almost doubled in the last ten years, so a motorcycle stands around unused for several months a year. The engine does not run, the battery is not charged. There are plenty of juice dispensers on the market to bridge such times, to get already discharged batteries running again or to start a Ducati Multistrada that has not been driven for five days. But be careful: simple and cheap chargers can do more harm than good to the battery, for example if they charge with too high a current or do not switch off in time. We had eight modern chargers between 50 and 100 euros sent to us and were surprised how close the devices were in practice. All test candidates can charge 12-volt lead-acid, gel, MF and micro-fleece batteries. MF stands for “maintenance free”, ie for maintenance-free batteries, as they are now installed in almost all motorcycles. Contrary to what the name suggests, even maintenance-free batteries should be checked and charged every now and then. The reason: When batteries stand for a long time, a layer of lead sulfate crystals forms on the electrodes. This non-conductive layer gets bigger and bigger, the electrode in the battery clogs and is less and less able to maintain the voltage. All chargers tested offer a desulphation function that removes crystals that are already present from the electrodes. During the process, the battery is bombarded with a high voltage of up to 30 volts for fractions of a second in order to “blast away” the crystals. Because such high voltages can damage the on-board electronics, the battery must always be removed during desulphation. Only the ProCharger XL from Louis can desulphate be desulphated when it is installed, as the device works with a different technology – in this mode it sends a 100 microsecond discharge pulse of up to 80 amps every 30 seconds, thereby preventing lead sulphate from building up deposits. The battery can remain in the motorcycle for normal charging, the latest charging electronics prevent voltage peaks and thus damage to the expensive control units.

The chargers are very easy to use, but for some candidates it is advisable to take a look at the operating instructions because of the many functions. Thanks to reverse polarity protection, no sparks fly if the plus and minus poles are accidentally swapped when connecting. The individual charging and maintenance programs are shown on the display or LED, and thanks to the electronics there is no need to worry about overloading. None of the test candidates had any real weaknesses. The alligator clips are robust, as are the housing and connection cables. All devices are sealed in a practical manner and can also be connected under the carport, for example. Unfortunately, very few manufacturers worry about the storage and clutter of the connection cables, some of which are over five meters long. The Oxford Maximiser 3800 is the only model to offer a separate wall bracket, but the cables still dangle next to the device. While all other candidates have holes for wall mounting, the user of the Banner Powertool 3600 has to put his device down somewhere. Commendable: The Novitec Charge Box 3.6 is the only device that comes in a practical bag, in which the three different connection cables can be found in addition to the charger. After all, Ctek has given its MXS 5.0 a small storage bag, and the extra-long cables of the M + S Intelli 2 can be neatly wrapped around the device. 

Drivers of BMW motorcycles with a CAN bus system have far greater problems than storing the devices. Their batteries cannot be charged with conventional chargers when installed via the original on-board socket. Even chargers that were CAN bus compatible a few years ago may no longer be used because BMW regularly updates the software and denies the devices access to the system. The solution: The battery can also be charged with normal devices when installed using a separate ring eyelet cable connected directly to the battery or a separate on-board socket.


Product test battery chargers


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Banner Powertool 3600.

Contact  

Banner Batteries Germany GmbH
85391 Allershausen, Germany
Tel. 0 81 66/6 86 92 30 00
www.bannerbatterien.com


price 
49.95 euros


Laboratory values 
Charging current slightly under the manufacturer’s specifications, the charging voltage is the same


Use / equipment  
For 12 volt lead-acid batteries, MF, gel, AGM, calcium; Cable sets with eyelets for permanent connection and alligator clips; Reverse polarity protection (lamp)

Practical test  

Robust cables and clamps; very easy one-button operation (program selection required); no holes for wall bracket; the connection cables should be a bit longer (total length 2.5 meters)

Conclusion  

The Banner Powertool 3600 charges car and motorcycle batteries, offers a 4-stage charging characteristic with impulse charging (trickle charging), and a special cooling mode enables charging at low temperatures. Permanent connection possible. The only thing missing is longer cables and holes for wall mounting.

PS judgment: good

CTEK MXS 5.0


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CTEK MXS 5.0.

Contact  

Polo Expressversand GmbH

41363 Juchen

Tel. 0 21 65/8 44 04 00

www.polo-motorrad.de

price  

79.95 euros

Laboratory values  

Charging current in motorcycle mode slightly above the manufacturer’s specification, corresponds to the charging voltage

the indication

Use / equipment   

For 12 volt lead-acid batteries, MF, gel, AGM, calcium; Cable sets with eyelets for permanent connection and alligator clips; Reverse polarity protection (lamp)

Practical test  

Good workmanship; robust and fully insulated alligator clips; very easy one-button operation (program selection required); Holes for wall mounting; sufficiently long connection cable (total length 3 meters); clear LED display

Conclusion  

The 8-stage charging / maintenance program of the Ctek MXS 5.0 includes, among other things, a battery diagnosis, a desulphation function, trickle charging and a reconditioning function, which should bring deeply discharged batteries back on their toes – nobody needs more functions.

PS judgment: very good

Fritec Ladeprofi Vario


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Fritec Ladeprofi Vario.

Contact  

Friedrich and Hitschfel GmbH

91338 Igensdorf

Tel. 0 91 92/5 4

9 www.fritec.de

price  

99 euros

Laboratory values  

Largely correspond to the manufacturer’s specifications 

Use / equipment    

For 6- and 12-volt lead-acid batteries, MF, gel, AGM, calcium, pure lead-tin; alligator clips only; Reverse polarity protection (light and acoustic signal); two-line, easy-to-read display

Practical test  

Very good instruction manual; very long connection cables (total length 3.9 meters); Display shows charging current and voltage; Holes for wall mounting; Alligator clips should be larger; somewhat cumbersome cable winding

Conclusion  

Robust device with a great display and many functions including desulphation. Operation requires reading the instructions and making sure that the settings are correct, as the factory charge starts at 3 amps – which is too much for motorcycle batteries. The only device that also charges 6-volt batteries, e.g. for very old motorcycles.

PS judgment: very good

M + S Intelli 2


Product test battery chargers


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M + S Intelli 2

Contact  

Polo Expressversand GmbH

41363 Juchen

Tel. 0 21 65/8 44 04 00

www.polo-motorrad.de

price  

99.95 euros

Laboratory values 

Largely correspond to the manufacturer’s specifications

Use / equipment    

For 12 volt lead-acid batteries, MF, Gel, AGM; Alligator clips and eyelets for permanent connection; Reverse polarity protection (light and acoustic signal); two-line, easy-to-read display; many loading and maintenance programs; Timer function

Practical test  

Very good operating instructions, which should also be read because of the many functions; extremely long connection cables (total length 5.2 meters) that can be wrapped around the device; Holes for wall mounting; Alligator clips should be a bit bigger

Conclusion  

Many charging and maintenance programs offer the right treatment and the right charging current for almost all batteries, including sulfated and deeply discharged batteries. Operation is very easy, a timer function saves up to 10 euros in electricity costs per season when maintaining the charge. The Intelli 2 is the most convincing and wins the test.

PS judgment: very good

Novitec Charge Box 3.6


Product test battery chargers


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Novitec Charge Box 3.6.

Contact  

Novitec GmbH

66115 Saarbrucken

Tel. 06 81/99 27 40

www.novitec.de

price  

69 euros

Laboratory values  

Largely correspond to the manufacturer’s specifications

Use / equipment 

For 12 volt lead-acid batteries, MF, Gel, AGM; Cable sets with alligator clips, ring eyelets for permanent connection and cigarette lighter adapter; Reverse polarity protection (lamp); practical storage bag

Practical test  

Very good instruction manual; simple one-button operation (program selection required); robust housing; fully insulated alligator clips; sufficiently long connection cable (total length 4.1 meters); Holes for wall mounting

Conclusion  

The Novitec Charge Box 3.6 is visually reminiscent of the banner device, charging and maintenance programs are almost identical. The Charge Box is better equipped with a pocket, holes for wall mounting and the various connection cables. In view of the functions and the low price, the Charge Box 3.6 is our best buy.

PS judgment: very good

OptiMate 4 Dual


Product test battery chargers


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OptiMate 4 Dual.

Contact  

Econ workshop equipment GmbH

56307 Dernbach

Tel. 0 26 89/928747

www.econ-wa.de

price  

75.45 euros

Laboratory values  

The charging current corresponds to the manufacturer’s specifications, the charging voltage is slightly higher; variable float charge current Use / equipment For 12-volt lead-acid batteries, MF, gel, AGM; Cable sets with alligator clips, ring eyelets for permanent connection; Reverse polarity protection (lamp); CAN bus compatible (for BMW motorcycles)

Practical test  

Comprehensive instruction manual; robust housing; large clamps on sufficiently long cables (total length 4.1 meters); Holes for wall mounting; not entirely clear display that requires a look at the operating instructions; “No button operation” – the device starts and controls all programs automatically

Conclusion  

Testing, desulphating, trickle charging – the Optimate can do everything and is also CAN bus compatible. The low charging current of 0.8 amps is hardly suitable for car batteries; large capacity motorcycle batteries may take longer to charge.

PS judgment: very good

Oxford Maximiser 3800


Product test battery chargers


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Oxford Maximiser 3800.

Contact  

Hein Gericke GmbH

40589 Dusseldorf

Tel. 02 11/9 89 88 00

www.hein-gericke.de

price  

79.99 euros

Laboratory values  

Charging voltage exactly as specified by the manufacturer, charging current minimally less 

Use / equipment   

For 12 volt lead-acid batteries, MF, gel; Alligator clips and eyelets for permanent connection; Reverse polarity protection (symbol in the display); easy to read, illuminated display; seven charging, maintenance and regeneration programs with variable float charge current

Practical test  

Good instruction manual; large, sturdy alligator clips; sufficiently long connection cable (total length 3.7 meters); the large display shows voltage, charging current, mode and connection errors; separate wall bracket including screws

Conclusion  

With three charging modes (car, motorcycle, refrigeration program) and the 7-stage charging cycle, both car and motorcycle batteries are quickly and safely charged, maintained and, if necessary, desulphated; the case should feel of higher quality.

PS judgment: very good

Saito Procharger XL


Product test battery chargers


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Saito Procharger XL.

Contact  

Detlev Louis GmbH

21035 Hamburg

Tel. 0 40/73 41 93 60

www.louis.de

price  

99.95 euros

Laboratory values  

The charging current corresponds to the manufacturer’s specifications, the charging voltage a little higher; variable float charge current

Use / equipment   

For 12 volt lead-acid batteries, MF, Gel, AGM; Alligator clips and eyelets for permanent connection; Reverse polarity protection (lamp and display); easy to read, illuminated display

Practical test  

Very good instruction manual; well-made housing and robust alligator clips; simple one-button operation; Display shows mode, charging current, voltage and current capacity in percent; Holes for wall mounting

Conclusion  

XL – the name keeps what it promises. The ProCharger weighs over two kilos and is very well equipped with a test, charging, maintenance and activation program. Special feature: The battery can remain installed during the desulphation function.

PS judgment: very good 

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