Battery conditioner for XC90

XCF · Nov 30th, 2020, 11:05

Hi,
I'm not using my XC90 currently so looking for a battery conditioner to keep the battery in good health rather than having to run the car every few weeks etc.

Is there a specific CTEK model to go for? or even an Aldi / Lidl equivalent that I can either leave connected to the car full time, or if that's not a good idea I can connect once a week overnight etc.

Thanks

SwissXC90 · Nov 30th, 2020, 11:45

Any intelligent battery charger / maintainer will be fine.

I use a CTEK MXS 5.0 model rated at 5A, which is fine for long term or overnight charging.

Don't go for anything smaller than 5A though, otherwise you'll be waiting forever for the big battery to charge up.

All the intelligent chargers drop down their charge rate once they estimate that the battery has reached full charged.

PS: I just went to the garage to disconnect my CTEK MXS5.0 charger. My battery was at 60% charge before I connected the charger yesterday. It started charging at a rate of 14.5V, 5.0A, and today it had dropped the voltage to 13.9V to prevent overcharging. Looking at the graphed data my battery took from 1pm to midnight to reach 100%, that's 11 hours. 11 x 5 = 55 AH (approximately) put back into the 90AH battery. Very approximate as the charge rate varies during the charging cycle.
I use a CTEK battery sense to monitor and record the battery voltage, allowing me to know when the battery is getting low so I can recharge accordingly.

Tannaton · Nov 30th, 2020, 12:08

If you have an existing "traditional" battery charger (i.e. a non intelligent 12v transformer and ammeter job) then invest a fiver in a plug in timer from screwfix and set it up so that it charges for 15 mins every day. Whilst an intelligent charger is preferable, this will do that job perfectly well.

paddy74 · Nov 30th, 2020, 13:48

In Germany ALDI always has a battery charger in it's end of October car week.

I don't know about ALDI GB...

Would be this one: https://www.aldi-sued.de/de/p.auto-x...ladeger%C3%A4t

I'm happy with it, beside the fact that these devices seem to attract every neighbour. Already bought four of it over the last years, still only have one in my garage. But all are working fine, despite not on my drives...

AB-UK · Dec 1st, 2020, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCF

Hi,
I'm not using my XC90 currently so looking for a battery conditioner to keep the battery in good health rather than having to run the car every few weeks etc.

Is there a specific CTEK model to go for? or even an Aldi / Lidl equivalent that I can either leave connected to the car full time, or if that's not a good idea I can connect once a week overnight etc.

Thanks

I bought the Halfords Advanced Smart Battery Charger Plus (238350)

Seems to work fine.

XCF · Dec 1st, 2020, 15:17

Thanks - have bought the CTEK 5.0.
I think I can then wire this into the battery points under the bonnet and leave the quick connector there. Can I then simply connect the CTEK device and leave it in auto to quietly manage the battery for me whilst I am not using the car ?

Whyman · Dec 1st, 2020, 16:47

Yes you can. Leave it on for a couple of days and then disconnect.

Volvo recommended charging it every two weeks when not using the car

Harley Dave · Dec 1st, 2020, 16:47

Yes, exactly what I do with my Smart car that sits quietly in my garage in UK while I overwinter (6 months) with the Volvo in Spain.

I also do the same with the Harley.

Both fire up immediately on my return.

Cheers

Dave

paddy74 · Dec 1st, 2020, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley Dave

[...]
I also do the same with the Harley.
[...]

These are battery eating monsters, if you leave them unconnected over the winter...

The first years I thought it is the usual way, to buy a new battery every spring.

Turns out, batteries in Harleys can hold up to eight years, if you charge them properly over the winter (and summer).

And I'm quite sure, this works for Volvos even better.

What Harley do you have Dave?

Harley Dave · Dec 2nd, 2020, 10:58

Hi Paddy

It's a 2005 FLHTCSE2 Screamin' Eagle Electra Glide CVO

1680cc and "tweaked" to 100hp and 100 ftlbs torque.

I've had it since late 2005 (bought as an insurance write-off, due to the price of the replacement painted parts) but amazingly still under warranty from the dealer, and built it back to my spec.

I'm on 78,000 miles now and put all but 2,500 of those on myself.

It's a keeper for sure.

What's your preference?

Cheers

Dave

Nov 30th, 2020, 11:05	#1
XCF Master Member Last Online: Jan 7th, 2024 23:26 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK	Battery conditioner for XC90 Hi, I'm not using my XC90 currently so looking for a battery conditioner to keep the battery in good health rather than having to run the car every few weeks etc. Is there a specific CTEK model to go for? or even an Aldi / Lidl equivalent that I can either leave connected to the car full time, or if that's not a good idea I can connect once a week overnight etc. Thanks

Nov 30th, 2020, 11:45	#2
SwissXC90 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 20th, 2024 18:26 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cross Country	Any intelligent battery charger / maintainer will be fine. I use a CTEK MXS 5.0 model rated at 5A, which is fine for long term or overnight charging. Don't go for anything smaller than 5A though, otherwise you'll be waiting forever for the big battery to charge up. All the intelligent chargers drop down their charge rate once they estimate that the battery has reached full charged. PS: I just went to the garage to disconnect my CTEK MXS5.0 charger. My battery was at 60% charge before I connected the charger yesterday. It started charging at a rate of 14.5V, 5.0A, and today it had dropped the voltage to 13.9V to prevent overcharging. Looking at the graphed data my battery took from 1pm to midnight to reach 100%, that's 11 hours. 11 x 5 = 55 AH (approximately) put back into the 90AH battery. Very approximate as the charge rate varies during the charging cycle. I use a CTEK battery sense to monitor and record the battery voltage, allowing me to know when the battery is getting low so I can recharge accordingly. __________________ XC90 R-Design MY2009, Black Sapphire Metallic. HP-Sound, RSE, Nav, Tel, ParkingCam, BLIS, ParkingHeater, RestHeat, Removable Towbar, Summer: CRATUS 20x8 on Pirelli Scorpion Zeros 255/45, Winter: NEPTUNE 17x7 on Continental WinterContact 4x4 235/65. Last edited by SwissXC90; Nov 30th, 2020 at 12:05.

Nov 30th, 2020, 12:08	#3
Tannaton Bungling Amateur Last Online: Today 10:05 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Beverley, East Yorks	If you have an existing "traditional" battery charger (i.e. a non intelligent 12v transformer and ammeter job) then invest a fiver in a plug in timer from screwfix and set it up so that it charges for 15 mins every day. Whilst an intelligent charger is preferable, this will do that job perfectly well. __________________ 2011 XC90 D5 Executive 2003 C70 T5 GT 2012 Ford Ranger XL SC 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1976 Massey Ferguson 135

Nov 30th, 2020, 13:48	#4
paddy74 Senior Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2021 13:49 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Near Munich	In Germany ALDI always has a battery charger in it's end of October car week. I don't know about ALDI GB... Would be this one: https://www.aldi-sued.de/de/p.auto-x...ladeger%C3%A4t I'm happy with it, beside the fact that these devices seem to attract every neighbour. Already bought four of it over the last years, still only have one in my garage. But all are working fine, despite not on my drives... __________________ Volvo XC90 D5 AWD Summum MY05 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide MY91 FLHTCU

Dec 1st, 2020, 16:47	#7
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Today 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	Yes you can. Leave it on for a couple of days and then disconnect. Volvo recommended charging it every two weeks when not using the car __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Dec 1st, 2020, 15:17	#6
XCF Master Member Last Online: Jan 7th, 2024 23:26 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK	Thanks - have bought the CTEK 5.0. I think I can then wire this into the battery points under the bonnet and leave the quick connector there. Can I then simply connect the CTEK device and leave it in auto to quietly manage the battery for me whilst I am not using the car ?

Dec 1st, 2020, 16:47	#8
Harley Dave Volvo Driver Last Online: Yesterday 10:12 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basingstoke	Yes, exactly what I do with my Smart car that sits quietly in my garage in UK while I overwinter (6 months) with the Volvo in Spain. I also do the same with the Harley. Both fire up immediately on my return. Cheers Dave

Dec 2nd, 2020, 10:58	#10
Harley Dave Volvo Driver Last Online: Yesterday 10:12 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basingstoke	Hi Paddy It's a 2005 FLHTCSE2 Screamin' Eagle Electra Glide CVO 1680cc and "tweaked" to 100hp and 100 ftlbs torque. I've had it since late 2005 (bought as an insurance write-off, due to the price of the replacement painted parts) but amazingly still under warranty from the dealer, and built it back to my spec. I'm on 78,000 miles now and put all but 2,500 of those on myself. It's a keeper for sure. What's your preference? Cheers Dave

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