So I decided to purchase a CTEK MUS 4.3 charger/tester to make sure my battery is always topped off since I go several days without driving my vehicle. It came with the Comfort Connect extension to permanently connect to the battery. I was at my local Alfa dealership recently and asked the technician if he could install the comfort connect extension since it was there for an oil change already. I noticed that he attached the negative end of the comfort connect to the actual nut that secures the entire negative clamp to the battery's negative post instead of the nut next to the negative terminal (per the user manual instructions). I have charged the battery several times already and have encountered no issues. My question is: does connecting the negative end of the charger to the nut holding down the entire negative terminal instead of the recommended nut per the manual have any long-term detrimental effects? It was an Alfa tech who installed the connections so I figured they would know if the connection is okay. Its been over a month and I've used the charger on 3 different occasions without any issues. Thanks in advance for any input.
Comfort Connect connection for CTEK charger
Raze9000
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I suspect going via IBS is better for your battery, as it prevents overcharging, even if for a short while.
Best would be updated software that maintains a higher battery charge level
We're not the only ones though, I see a lot of problems with IBS on other fora from BMW, Mercedes etc.etc.
Right on. Wonder how audi does it. Ive had 12 audis now with 5 of them 2013 to 2018 model year and their electrical sytem has been flawless. Only electrical problems were coilpacks on older cars but they were 20 bucks and id keep one in my trunk lol
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I have the CTEK MXS10 and the comfort connect with indicator/green,yellow,red lights/.The dealer made the connections exactly as stated in the manual. The charger works great.On the original EFB battery- around 5-6 hours for complete charging. I changed the battery with AGM, because of superstition and now the whole charging process is even shorter - around 3-4 hours. The strange thing is how the indicator is working.It is only green, after charging and on the next 1,2 days.After this, it is always yellow or red. This was with EFB and now with the AGM is the same. Both batteries are new and in excellent condition. So, the indicator I think is not very accurate on the real condition of the battery ,anyway.
and now the whole charging process is even shorter - around 3-4 hours. The strange thing is how the indicator is working.It is only green, after charging and on the next 1,2 days.After this, it is always yellow or red. This was with EFB and now with the AGM is the same. Both batteries are new and in excellent condition. So, the indicator I think is not very accurate on the real condition of the battery ,anyway.
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Basically it's a relatively simple voltmeter, so don't expect too muchI have the CTEK MXS10 and the comfort connect with indicator/green,yellow,red lights/.The dealer made the connections exactly as stated in the manual. The charger works great.On the original EFB battery- around 5-6 hours for complete charging. I changed the battery with AGM, because of superstition
The led's are apparently activated at the following voltages:
Green: above 12,65V
Yellow: 12,4 – 12,65V
Red: below 12,4V
As the IBS will never fully charge the battery, it's normal the indicator will stabelise after couple of days at yellow/red
normal:
| State of Charge | Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid battery voltage | AGM battery voltage |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 12.70+ | 12.80+ |
| 75% | 12.40 | 12.60 |
| 50% | 12.20 | 12.30 |
| 25% | 12.00 | 12.00 |
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I've got the negative ring terminal on my trickle charger sitting on the long post that the car's harness connects to. It did require disconnecting the harness to get the charger terminal on under it, but that has a convenient quick disconnect. I was planning to put some kind of rubber grommet on top of the ring terminal to keep it in place, but even without one, the diameters are close enough that there isn't too much play, so I've never had any issue with contact being broken. I ended up doing this for the same reason someone mentioned, I couldn't undo the nut indicated in the manual.
As far as I could tell, that post connects through the IBS, since it shares the same metal mounting plate as the recommended nut.
As far as I could tell, that post connects through the IBS, since it shares the same metal mounting plate as the recommended nut.
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Thanks a lot man!!!Basically it's a relatively simple voltmeter, so don't expect too much
The led's are apparently activated at the following voltages:
Green: above 12,65V
Yellow: 12,4 – 12,65V
Red: below 12,4V
As the IBS will never fully charge the battery, it's normal the indicator will stabelise after couple of days at yellow/red
normal:
State of Charge Sealed or Flooded Lead Acid battery voltage AGM battery voltage 100% 12.70+ 12.80+ 75% 12.40 12.60 50% 12.20 12.30 25% 12.00 12.00
Once again, you are extremely helpful.
@jwq2, what about the positive end of the Comfort Connect cable?. Where to connect it to the battery?. When I take off the black plastic cover on top of the positive post of the battery, there are several nuts there (below picture). What nut should I choose to put the positive end of the Comfort Connect cable?
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I simply used the following, but basically any connection directly to battery plus is ok
Attachments
Got it. Thanks!
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Is that connected to an M6 or M8 bolt? Looking at an eyelet with the right size.
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thanks, I do like the stoplight on the extra set.It was a long time since I installed, so I'm not sure. It was the standard eyelet that came with the charger though.....
You could always measure the boltsize on the battery
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