CTEK is currently the leading company regarding innovative ideas regarding battery chargers despite being around for only two decades. As such, many turn to their products due to the quality they produce. However, are there chargers waterproof?
Don't fret, as we did our best to research this topic, and now, we're bringing you the answer.
To keep it short, CTEK chargers are waterproof. This includes their cable and plug. As such, they're more than capable of handling rainy days outside.
This article will teach you about the benefits of owning a car battery charger. You will also learn what to consider when buying a car battery charger for the first time and how to maintain a car battery. As such, continue reading to find out more.
Are CTEK Chargers Waterproof?
As mentioned earlier, CTEK chargers are waterproof. To be more specific, they are weatherproof and can handle extreme conditions. As such, using them outdoors is a breeze.
They are also shockproof and dustproof, two features that are wholly indispensable when buying a battery charger. As such, they can easily handle physical stress, and you don't have to worry about storing them away for a long time.
These also extend to their cables and plugs. As such, you need not worry about anything going wrong.
To accompany these characteristics, they can also withstand extreme temperatures, making them ideal to use in almost any climate. And to top it all off, they are shockproof and spark proof, thereby preventing any electrical accidents that could occur.
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What Are The Benefits Of Owning A Car Battery Charger?
There are plenty of reasons why more and more people nowadays are investing in a battery charger, specifically, a smart charger. For one, they can help prolong the lifespan of your car battery. It can more than double your car battery's lifespan.
Another reason is that they help save time and money. Battery failure is currently the leading cause of car breakdowns all over the world. As a result, you will spend a lot of money towing your car, replacing your car battery, and hiring a mechanic to ensure that nothing goes wrong with your car's electrical system.
And with the way cars have evolved in recent years, they have become more complex. As such, it's becoming increasingly imperative to own a car battery charger to help stave off any future car breakdowns that could result in a bigger problem.
Additionally, battery chargers nowadays are not solely to recharge car batteries. They became diverse enough to charge multiple devices such as your phone, tablet, laptop, and many more. As such, they become a multi-purpose charging hub in any home.
Can A Battery Charger Jumpstart A Car?
While a battery charger can recharge a dead battery, it cannot jumpstart a car. That's because a battery charger can't deliver the necessary amperage.
And if you try to force the issue, it can cause your battery charger's fuse to blow out. Or, in some cases, burn the charger itself. If that happens, you're in a world of trouble.
That's why it is best if you recharge your car battery beforehand. Or, if you want to prepare for the inevitable, consider investing in a battery jumper.
What To Consider When Buying A Battery Charger For The First Time?
Battery failure is a pain for almost every car owner. So if you're considering investing in a battery charger, then there are a couple of things that you need to know:
Engine
You first need to consider the size of your car's engine. The engine, the car battery, and the battery charger are all directly proportional to one another.
So, if your car uses a large engine, it also makes sense to use a large car battery. And in turn, it requires you to use a battery charger that is strong and large enough to handle the workload.
Battery
The next factor to consider is the type of battery that your car uses. You need to use a standard charger if your car runs on a traditional lead-acid battery. Unlike smart chargers, they're far less expensive because they don't offer a lot of versatility.
Modern cars typically run on AGM/EFB batteries. As such, you need to invest in a smart charger which is far more expensive than a standard charger. However, they more than make up for it in the versatility department as they come with a host of features and safety mechanisms to prevent overcharging and accidents.
What Are The Two Types Of Battery Chargers?
Now that you have an idea of what to consider when buying a battery charger, it's time to choose which one you want. And so this section talks about two of the most common types of battery chargers:
Maintainer Chargers
If you plan to recharge your car battery often, consider investing in a regular charger. Depending on its strength, they can recharge your car battery in less than a day.
Most car owners also refer to them as smart chargers. That's because they turn themselves off once the car battery has reached a certain level. As a result, you need not worry about overcharging.
Trickle Chargers
On the other hand, if you plan on storing your car battery for the winter, then investing in a trickle charger is the way to go. Unlike other chargers, a trickle charger slowly replenishes a car battery over a long period.
This makes it the ideal charger during the winter when many car owners cannot use their cars as frequently. Or for those who plan on being away for a considerable amount of time.
The only downside is that they don't have an automatic shutoff feature, so you need to have a rough idea of when the car battery will top off.
How To Maintain A Car's Battery Life?
Proper maintenance is key if you want your car battery to last. Below are just some of the ways you can achieve this:
Check The Voltage
The first order of business is checking whether or not your car's battery is within the acceptable amount of voltage. To do this, you will need to use a voltmeter.
Anything below 12.4 volts means that your car battery needs recharging. Additionally, have a mechanic inspect your car battery for any faults if it drains out faster than normal or if it's dead.
Check this voltmeter on Amazon.
Determine The Electrolyte Level
Remove the vent plugs on top if your car is running on maintainable batteries. Then, check for any exposed plates. If there are, immediately top them up with distilled water until fully submerged.
But if your car is running on a maintenance-free battery, you must be aware of your car's dashboard. If a sign lights up where it suggests replacing your car battery, immediately do so. This is to prevent any damages from happening internally.
Recharge The Car Battery
Recharging them regularly is necessary if you want to prolong your car battery's lifespan. Professionals recommend recharging a car battery once every three months.
This, however, depends on how often you use your car. For a better understanding, use a voltmeter to keep track of your car battery's status.
Keep The Car Battery Clean
Last but not least, make sure that there's no grime or gunk on your car battery. Keeping it clean not only makes it look more presentable but also prevents sudden electrical discharges from happening.
Cleaning your battery will also help prevent the onset of corrosion from happening as well. Rust is a common issue that a lot of cars face as such,
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery?
On average, it will take between twelve to twenty-four hours to fully charge a car battery using a battery charger. That's because most car owners use a 4 Amp battery charger.
And as you can already tell by now, the higher the output of a battery charger, the faster it takes to charge a car battery fully. So, if you're using a 20 Amp battery charger, it will only take two to four hours of charging time.
Of course, you still need to consider the car battery's size and how empty it is at that moment. If you plan on buying a battery charger, consider buying one with a low ampere output and one with a high ampere output.
You can then use the higher output battery charger to quickly charge your car battery in times of need. And if you merely want to maintain your car battery, the low ampere battery charger will suffice.
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To Wrap Up
In short, not only are CTEK chargers waterproof, but they are also shockproof, dustproof, and extremely resilient to extreme weather. They can also handle temperatures of varying degrees with ease. As such, they're becoming a must-have for every car owner in today's market.
If you enjoyed reading through this article, consider checking the links below. These are articles that talk about some of the problems you may face when owning a car battery charger: