Costco Battery Conditioner - CTEK Zafir 90 - adequate?

[da_murphster]

Howdy, looking for a battery charger and conditioner and have bought the Costco CTEK Zafir 90 for £35.

Attempting to look it up and they don't seem to be on the CTEK website but it looks identical to the CTEK MULTI XS 3600

But I have found this description on the NZ site....

"11. ZAFIR 90 has lower performance than the MULTI XS 3600, which increases the charge cycle. We recommend the ZAFIR 90 for batteries 1-90 Ah and the MULTI XS 3600 for 1.2 – 120 Ah. The currents from ZAFIR 90 are 0.5 A in the motorcycle mode and 3.3A in the car & snowflake mode, which compares with 3.6A/0.8A for the MULTI XS 3600. The functionality and footprint are identical, except for body colours."

http://www.cteknz.co.nz/FAQ.htm#11

Does this mean this charger is unsuitable for my Tuscan? Hope its OK as you cannot beat Costcos returns policy if it breaks in 5 years time!!

As a seperate question anything I should do if I'm leaving my Tuscan for a while and cannot plug it in? Was thinking that leaving the window open might not be a bad idea so can get in. Is there any way I can easily turn off the electrics?

[Simpo Two]

I have an Airstyle conditioner from Callender and I think the thing to look for is output in milliamps. Mine plugs in the fag socket (which is never off) and works perfectly.

[RWA28]

I've just been in costco this afternoon and to my horror the unit you are refering to looks exactly the same as my Porsche one (in appearance, symbols, colour, buttons, lights etc).........which cost £80. Gutted.

The only difference is that mine goes straight in the fag lighter socket and the costco one would appear to just have the clips?? If you can get the spec I'll compare it to my Porsche one which woks fine on my Tuscan and let you know.

Rhys

[Mr Nordic]

Da Murphster,


I have bought the same item, you are right the max output on the 120 is only .5A more in <5 degree mode. My old CS Airfow (similar conditioner) was a lower output and was ok and plugged in for 6 years.
I will be fitting a red top Optima gel battery and will be using the Zafir 90 unit on my Chimaera, it is great value from Costco £35 ish.

I will be fitting an Anderson connector accessable in the passenger foot well for this or jump starting, you could use the 2 pin water proof plug that is supplied and use that in a descreet location, with just the thin 2 cores passing throgh the door rubber somewhere.

Regards MrN

[Guillotine]

looks like it'd be ok. general charging and maintenance are not really the issue as a lower spec item can keep a good battery in good nick. it's really the recovery/hi loss area that could be an issue.
These are the norm.

andy



http://www.tvrmonster.co.uk/shop/index.html

[Talkwrench]

I have used a number of different CTEK chargers and conditioners and would trust them implicitly. They are, without doubt, the best chargers and battery tenders I've ever used (and I've used lots!).
I must take a look next time I'm in CostCo. I have a couple of 3600's and they are excellent. As far as I can tell, the Zafir 90 is the same spec with a slightly lower amperage. I can't see this being a problem with a single 12v battery. The 3600 are quite happy charging and tendering the dual batteries in a BMW 850.

[TVR SUPPLIES]

Talkwrench said:

I have used a number of different CTEK chargers and conditioners and would trust them implicitly. They are, without doubt, the best chargers and battery tenders I've ever used (and I've used lots!).......

Very much agree,we believe they are the best that money can buy,and if you buy a uk model they also come with a 5 year guarantee!The 800 or 3600 models are fine for your TVR,and which model you choose depends on your requirements,ie a maintainer only(800 model),or a combined charger and maintainer(3600 model).

Edited by TVR SUPPLIES on Tuesday 1st January 19:56

[da_murphster]

Excellent - I love it when an impulse buy works out to be good!

Pity I don't have any power in my garage!