Thread: CTEK charging a Ritar AGM?

Originally Posted by Ranga

I have a Ritar RA12-120S (12V120AH/C10HR) AGM battery (http://www.ritarpower.com/upload/pdf...3617252827.pdf). Can I charge it with a CTEK Multi XS 7000 battery charger?

The reason I ask is it states on the manual "For lead-acid batteries 14-225Ah".

From the manual
MULTI XS 7000 can easily be set for different types of batteries or
conditions. The following recommendations should, however, only be
seen as guidelines. Please consult the battery manufacturer for further
instructions.
Settings are made by pressing the ”MODE-button” and stepping
forward one press at a time until the required mode is reached, the
button is then released. After about 2 seconds the charger activates
the selected mode. The selected mode is saved in a memory in the
charger and remains there even if the charger is switched off.
Mode 14.4 V - Normal setting for wet batteries, MF and for most Gel
batteries.
Mode 14.7 V - This setting is recommended for a battery at
temperatures < 5 degrees C. It is also recommended for many AGM
batteries like Optima, Maxxima and Odysseys. Consult your battery
manufacturer when in doubt.
Mode 13.6 V / Supply - The charger is operating at a constant voltage
of 13.6 V. This is the maintenance mode for applications where
maximum capacity from the battery is important, like fl oor sweepers
and golf carts. The MULTI XS 7000 could also be used as a power
supply without a battery attached in this setting. Note that the Spark
Free function is suppressed in this mode.
Mode 16 V / 1.5 A / 4 h - This mode is used to recover deep discharged
batteries where you could expect a stratifi ed acid (high acid
weight in the bottom, low on top). Note that the battery has to be fully
charged fi rst. Use this mode with care, because the high voltage will
cause some water loss. 16 V is normally no problem for electronics,
but consult your supplier when in doubt. Life of light bulbs will reduced
at higher voltage. Try to avoid using 12 V light from the battery during
this phase. Maximum effect and minimum risk for electronics is
achieved by charging a disconnected battery.

Hope this helps I presume the 14.7 Volt Mode is what you need

Thanks DB - unless someone recommends otherwise, I'll give this a go.

I could wait until tomorrow and contact the battery supplier (they also tried selling me the CTEK, but I loaned one from a mate). The only rush is I'm heading off Saturday morning, and I'm not sure how long it will take to charge the battery from the current 12.2V up to the full 12.8V.

Using the 14.7 setting, the CTEK is showing as still charging after about 4-5 hours. The battery is not warm to touch whatsoever.

According to the volt meter I have attached to the battery, it's showing about 13.06V - I assumed it shouldn't go much higher than 12.8, as that's what the battery was at when I bought it. The battery was at 12.26 before I started charging.

Is this normal?

I dont know everything about it but I know my Ctek 7 Amp will still be charging many hours after I set it going. I think a lead acid at 12.26 is a bit over half charged not sure about a AGM. When measuring the voltage of the freshly charged battery you will need to remove the surface charge as the voltage will appear higher than it is.

Thank you all for your advice.

One more thing. I have a small portable 12V 7Ah external battery for my hunting spotlight. Would it be safe to use the CTEK on that also, and if so, what setting?

To be honest I dont know but if it were mine I would just use the normal setting but this may be the wrong thing to do.

I have a ctek and use it to charge all types of battries,also its used as a charger/power supply when fridge is running in disco and 240 volt is available.
Ctek has a short batt connector which shows state of charge(led) and batt lead plugs into it.
Good bit of kit really