Electrics: CTEK battery charger Mode button fault - simple fix

[andyg]

So it turns out that the Mode button on CTEK battery chargers is prone to failure in units that are >3 years old. It starts out by the CTEK charger responding slowly to Mode button inputs, then very erratically, then after maybe a few months it stops working completely. At that stage the charger is useless. The reason is because inside the unit, below the Mode button, is a very small micro switch that fails with the smallest amount of dust or dirt. The rest of the unit is fine. The simple fix is below.

**** Make sure that the unit is not connected to the mains supply throughout this procedure. ****

1. Unscrew the 4 back plate screws and remove the back plate.
2. Loosen the circuit board, flip it over and expose the small circular micro switch plate that sits below the Mode button. (It takes a bit of fiddling to loosen the board, including releasing one of the external cable connections.)
3. Spray the micro switch with a switch cleaner (for example Servisol).
4. VERY IMPORTANT..... Press on the circular micro switch plate and rotate it to-and-fro several times through 180 degrees.
5. Reposition the circuit board and replace the back plate.

**** Make sure that the unit is not connected to the mains supply throughout this procedure. ****

In most cases the Mode switch and the CTEK charger will be back to working like new. Hope that helps.

[andyg]

At point 2 in my explanation above, I should add that "releasing one of the external cable connections" does not mean disconnecting it from the circuit board. Where the cables enter the unit at either end they are protected in flexible plastic collars. One of those collars, I cannot remember which, is designed to pop out by rotating it and pulling gently at the same time. You will discover which one by trial and error. Popping that collar out frees a short length of the cables that otherwise prevent the circuit board from being eased out of the unit.

[Westbarn1]

Mine recently gave up working, charging my C30, was just out of warranty period , contacted CTEK and they wanted more than the cost of a new one to send it back to factory to be looked at, suggest you avoid this model. Needless to say I have binned it and gone for a different make.

[IainG]

Hi
Had exactly the same issue with the Lidl one I bought a few years ago. Out of warranty but when I phoned up they said this was probably the cause. Just had to partially peel the front label to reveal a rubber button, remove and clean microswitch below. Still ok a few years later.
Iain