I am NO expert....Just a bit of a charger ramble... (-:
I have two different Ctek FLOAT chargers in almost constant use.
I have used a MXS 3.6 connected via the clips provided one to the positive feed on my mid 80`s +8`s alternator, the neg/earth/ground, to the body of the alternator, and leave it permanently connected and switched on and have done so for many years... As best I understand it the 3.6 id, relates to the maximum output of the charger in amps.. I suspect the Ctek range of chargers are not trickle chargers or just chargers, in that I suspect they adjust their output relative to both the read-back from the battery and their internal circuitry`s design parameters...thus the output to the battery floats to suit the battery`s operational design requirements..?
I suspect and would hope that such is the circuitry and components utilised in the Ctek range`s design, that there would perhaps be inbuilt protection to inhibit over charging and also protection against short circuits detected in it`s output cabling that would automatically disconnect the output from the Ctek.
I also have a Ctek MXS 5.0, thus I suspect it`s maximum charge rate is 5 amps, but again it is a float charger and acts as above to sense the battery`s voltage and apply the required current to maintain the battery within it`s operating voltage requirements. The MXS 5.0 being the more modern charger/conditioner has a selectable AGM battery option, Advanced Glass Mat batteries having different internal construction to that of an old style battery. The MXS 5.0 also has a recondition option.
I use the MXS 5.0 charger on a 2012 vehicle fitted with an AGM battery and the vehicle has an automatically controlled stop/start functionality ( which can be deselected) though such is the complexity of all the on board control and battery monitoring systems that it is advised that any charger or jump start device should not be connected directly to the battery NEGATIVE connection but connected to the separate earthing post provided, as connecting directly across both poles of the battery could upset the battery monitoring system..
Also as per Graham`s advice, such can be the demands placed upon more modern vehicles electrical systems, that the level of on-board programming may require some electrical devices such as cigar lighters to be automatically disconnected from the battery a short time after the ignition is switched off...?
Graham`s mention of an in line fuse perhaps on the positive lead from the charger close to the point of connection..(?) would likely protect the obviously light wire from the charger from burning up and glowing white hot, should a short to earth on that wire occur if the insulation on it was ever damaged, perhaps if caught up in the vehicles door or similar...?
As ever more than happy to be corrected if anything I have typed might be incorrect..
