Who uses CTEK MXS 5.0 for their winter trickle charger/tender?

[MCS]

Went to start the Mustang on Saturday and take it for a quick run around the block as I hadn't even started it in 2 weeks and it hasn't been driven in at least a month, maybe a month in a half.

Battery didn't have the power to crank it over. Had to jump start it from my winter beater (whoever makes jumper cables so short needs to be shot).

Now that this is an issue I'm looking at one of these. Anyone have any reviews on them and their Mustang?
Are there any sage words on how to connect to the terminals? How long to run the tickle charger for? Anything words of wisdom for a noob?

Figure I would get the deal before spending friggen $129.00 CDN lol

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[K4fxd]

Get a battery TENDER. I think the model you posted is one.

If your mustang is 15 or newer you should hook it to the fuse box and fender ground, but it will work hooking to the battery terminals.

Ford uses what is called BMS, basically it uses the alternator as a smart charger.

I have a plug hardwired to my fuse box and just plug the car in when I put it away at night. Batteries last much longer.

 

[MCS]

I was watching a video on it and it seems to do both trickle charge and tend?

My dad has one he got 35 years ago and he was like “I’m not using it as I don’t drive so you can have it” and after .3 milliseconds of looking at it I was like mmmmm no I’ll buy a newer one.

I had to jump it by hooking to the terminals. Don’t want to do that again lol

 

[Skye]

Modern cars have a lot of parasitic drains and need to be driven often. It'll be different for everyone as to how long someone can go before the battery is so weak it won't start the car.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/winter-has-arrived-—-mustang-sleeping.193570/page-3#post-3880821

Attached is a link with several references. You'll also see tips for installation within the thread.

I'm using the Ford Performance unit, which appears same as the one you noted and sells for the same price. I've been using it for two seasons. It works great.

I don't see a tender as the same as a traditional charger. A tender does charge, but also conditions and exercises a battery. I feel a traditional charger is not as advanced; while they work great, they are more for recovering a really weak battery rather quickly. Long-term attaching and support, the tender for sure.

You can set the tender up in a way where you simply plug it in. While in storage, I'll use it for several months straight. Hock up and walk away. When no longer needed, disconnect and drive.

 

[MCS]

Yeah I was seeing some people that had used a loop kit to permanently mount these types of things to the terminals and then conceal the box behind the battery terminal. When required they move the cable to a visible spot and then plug it in? I may do something like that if I can find a good tutorial video on it.

For now I just need to get this thing ordered and plugged in so I don't hear the dreaded "tick tick tick" or the starter try and turn over but not even get a full revolution lol

 

[IPOGT]

The CTEK’s are awesome. I have the older version and it’s great. You
probably like that one because it says 5.0. lol.

 

[MCS]

The CTEK’s are awesome. I have the older version and it’s great. You
pro like that one because it says 5.0. lol.

I didn't make that connection until you just mentioned it. I just happened to see it on someone elses thread and the amazon reviews seem decent. But now that you mention it; yes. It says 5.0.

 

[Skye]

and then conceal the box behind the battery terminal.

You can review threads and pics while the tender is being shipped and consider your options. Several of us have fabricated ours where a plug exists outside, as well as the tender itself; this allows you to see the tender progress without opening the hood. An additional benefit is the unit won't get rattled by road vibration.

 

[MCS]

You can review threads and pics while the tender is being shipped and consider your options. Several of us have fabricated ours where a plug exists outside, as well as the tender itself; this allows you to see the tender progress without opening the hood. An additional benefit is the unit won't get rattled by road vibration.

That actually might be a fun winter time project. I have a few of those lined up I'm just hoping my wallet can keep up!

 

[m3incorp]

I use that one on the Mustang ( I already owned it before buying the car). I use a Battery Tender on the other car and they both accomplish the mission.

Went to start the Mustang on Saturday and take it for a quick run around the block as I hadn't even started it in 2 weeks and it hasn't been driven in at least a month, maybe a month in a half.

Battery didn't have the power to crank it over. Had to jump start it from my winter beater (whoever makes jumper cables so short needs to be shot).

Now that this is an issue I'm looking at one of these. Anyone have any reviews on them and their Mustang?
Are there any sage words on how to connect to the terminals? How long to run the tickle charger for? Anything words of wisdom for a noob?

Figure I would get the deal before spending friggen $129.00 CDN lol

 

[m3incorp]

I have an extension for the CTEK and have it hardwired in the car with a plug hidden that I just plug into and close the hood. Having said that, I learned the hard way to check if I'm plugged in before backing out of the garage. Now, after having replaced the broken extension, I hang my ID holder on the steering wheel, anytime the car is hooked up.

 

[MCS]

I use that one on the Mustang ( I already owned it before buying the car). I use a Battery Tender on the other car and they both accomplish the mission.

So this CTEK that I ordered isn't a tender? It sounded like it was a combo trickle charger and tender?

 

[1SLwLS1]

It is a tender/maintainer. I have one hooked up directly to the battery with their leads. I didn't leave the actual box installed as I use it on my daily driver battery when I take the mustang out, I just have to change the settings back and forth between AGM as they're different batteries.

I also leave the hood popped when it is installed so I don't accidentally remote start it.

 

[m3incorp]

It is a tender. Battery Tender is just a name for the other. They both do the same thing.

So this CTEK that I ordered isn't a tender? It sounded like it was a combo trickle charger and tender?

 

[MCS]

Ok thanks fellas. Never had to use a tender before as I've never stored a car during winter months. Even my AMG was daily driven in the winter lol

The one my father wanted me to use was probably used on Christ's Chariot itself based on the rust and full metal body so not sure I want to plug that into a new mustang parked in the garage attached to the house lol

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