Got a CTEK MUS 4.3 for a 2012 BMW 3 series... Is this a battery tender? Do I just select the mode and let it do its thing?
1534706
Yes, Each mode is for a different program. It is a battery reconditioner, recharger or maintenance . I am using mine for maintenance since my vehicle is usually in storage.
498288
I think that it would do a great job of keeping your battery at tip top charge and condition. There are several settings that you can use when setting it up for you use. It will even pulse the battery to reduce the amount of sulfation that builds up on the battery plates making your battery operate as nearly new. The capacity for this model is 3.5 amps max, but don't let that confuse you, it operates incrementally and will also show you where the charge level is using LEDs. If there is a power failure the unit retains its settings and can be left connected even when not in use. There are mounting screws provided and two different types of connection configurations; hard wired with lugs (recommended) and clamps that are similar to those on jumper cables, but smaller. You can unplug the lug end that goes to your car battery and plug the clamps wire into the output and it will charge any battery from 6 to 12 volts. this is the best system I have ever used. Enjoy!
1101855
I don't know as I don't have a battery tender. If I recall, once I put the fluid in to activate it, it hardly any time at all to crank after it being on a standard battery charger.
1376651
Your Battery Tender will turn that on. So I just disconnect one of its power wires when ever I am using my Battery Tender
780039
If one can trust the battery images (pics), there is a schematic for F1 terminal ... so I presume its an F1 terminal. Plus, even though you can't zoom on batter picture, it kind of looks like a notched (F1) terminal instead of the F2 terminal.
580978
Sometimes the charging mode is down to a trickle, but not enough to change the light status. Manual operation will trip the circuitry. Are you sure that the battery type selected accurately depicts the battery in the car? We have over over 30 of these units in operation and never seem to have this problem. However, it your situation continues, and it bothers you, contact Ctek and they will either repair your unit or replace it. They are very easy to deal with and very helpful!
2015037
The only time I have known the "t" terminal to be used is at a service center to reset the overcurrent circuit. A 'tripped' battery acts like it does not want to take a charge. I've had this with specialty cells used in modern digital cameras and nearly t-canned a $50 battery until the [honest] clerk at the shop offered to reset the battery. He popped it in his jig, hit a few buttons and handed it back to me in working order.Best o' luck on your ballooning adventures!
1348156
You can leave the battery in your vehicle still connected to your battery cables; however, I bought two of these chargers, and they both died within a year. I bought Schumacher PS-1562A DSR ProSeries 1.5 Amp 6/12 Volt Automatic Battery Charger/Maintainer , and have used it many more times than the Tender model, and have had NO problems with it. It automatically detects whether the battery you hook it to is 6 or 12 volts- no need to do that yourself on a switch selector. Go with the Schumacher!
2140079
If you have a 12 volt battery NO PROBLEM. I have it on a BMW and I plug it in if I'm not going to use it for days. I also have it on a Motorcycle. YOU MUST DISCONNECT BATTERY TENDER BEFORE STARTING UP.
1356004
I have the same problem because of something in the electrical system drains my battery. I don't drive much anymore and if the car was left not driven for four or five days the battery was dead, very aggravating. This Battery Tender has been working very well for me, I'm an older women that knows nothing about cars. I can say this, it is very easy to use, I highly recommend it. I've had it for about three months and am very satisfied. Hope this helps you.
1120455
The unit can charge AGM type batteries, but I do not know if it can charge the yellowtop battery. I bought it to use with an AGM battery I expected to buy as a replacement for an aging car battery. When I received the Ctek MUS 4.3 charger, I used it to recondition the old battery. I will not need to get the AGM battery for a while.
159889
I would say that it does since the Ctek has the wire coming out of it with a quick disconnect/clip and from the picture of the Comfort Connect, that connector looks the same as what is on my CTek wire. The thing is that I do not recall exactly what option/12 volt adapter I bought with my CTek (it may the same exact 12 volt adapter you are considering) but I can tell you that my hookups allow me to disconnect the clamps that came with the Ctek to hook directly to battery terminals and instead hook up the 12 volt adapter plug. In fact, I use the 12 volt adapter plug all the time when I charge up my Porsche. But you may want to ensure that your 12 volt plugs in your car are always "on". In my Porsche they are but in another car that I own, the 12 volt adapter is "off" unless the ignition key is turned to accesories, etc positions. In my other car, the few times I use the tek for it, I wind up disconnecting the 12 volt adapter and then hook up the clamps to the quick disconnect and then charge the battery directly via the terminals. But in the Porsche, it is so much easier. The car has only 2 seats but has no less than 3 12 volt plug-ins: In the console compartment between the seats (that is where I normally charge) but also has one in the glove compartment and also on the passenger side down along the sidewall near the thigh/feet.
140767
The battery will not take a charge.Hook it up to a battery you know to be good.You should get a blinking green then a change to solid green.If the tender does the same red to green then the tender is probably faulty.
1181119
I have this accessory connected to a cigarette lighter socket and the CITEK MUS 4.3 charging the battery. After 10 days on "float" the MUS 4.3 goes into "pulse" to maintain the the battery at 95-100% capacity, according to the manual. During the "float" step the LED indicator is blinking all the time green. When the charger is in "pulse" the LED changes from green to yellow and back to green. I have not measured the frequency of this alternation. My interpretation of these observations is that the LED is yellow when battery capacity drops below 95% and green when it is above 95%. Bottom line: it works beautifully. My van started normally after more than 5 months inactive in the garage. I have this accessory connected to a cigarette lighter socket and the CITEK MUS 4.3 charging the battery. After 10 days on "float" the MUS 4.3 goes into "pulse" to maintain the the battery at 95-100% capacity, according to the manual. During the "float" step the LED indicator is blinking all the time green. When the charger is in "pulse" the LED changes from green to yellow and back to green. I have not measured the frequency of this alternation. My interpretation of these observations is that the LED is yellow when battery capacity drops below 95%... » Read More I have this accessory connected to a cigarette lighter socket and the CITEK MUS 4.3 charging the battery. After 10 days on "float" the MUS 4.3 goes into "pulse" to maintain the the battery at 95-100% capacity, according to the manual. During the "float" step the LED indicator is blinking all the time green. When the charger is in "pulse" the LED changes from green to yellow and back to green. I have not measured the frequency of this alternation. My interpretation of these observations is that the LED is yellow when battery capacity drops below 95% and green when it is above 95%. Bottom line: it works beautifully. My van started normally after more than 5 months inactive in the garage. « Show Less
1550113
I have mine hooked up to 1 car and three motorcycles year around. When I'm not riding or driving the battery tender is keeping the batteries charged. When they are fully charged the unit goes into a monitoring mode instead of charging.
1751641
You'll need an adapter to go from the battery tender to the venture coax. You can find them on the internet or simply make one. I used the standard venture harness and found an adapter to connect the battery tender. I think i purchased from motorcyclesuperstore.com.
1550714
Thank you all for the responses ... I had heard that the driver's side door actuator on E46 BMWs is the "master" and that upon replacement, the CLS has to be reprogrammed accordingly. However, based upon all of you input, it sounds like it is "plug and play" with the needed for any additional work. Thanks again to all!