CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger Review
In a few words, this is the one 12V battery charger even I can use – as in me being more computer technical than automotive technical person 
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So, before I say anything else, here are the specs so you do need to read further if this is not what you are looking for:
- 100-115VAC, 50-60Hz voltage AC
- 130mA rms at full charging current
- 2-32Ah battery size
- 0.8 A charging current
- 14.4 V charging voltage
- 5.5″ x 2″ x 1.5″ size
- Developed in Sweden
- Made in China
The charger should work with nearly all 12V lead-acid batteries: MF, Wet, AGM, open and most GEL-batteries.
What you get for your money is:
- the charger body (see dimensions above) with the AC cord permanently attached to it
- set of battery cables with battery terminal clips
- set of battery cables with eyelet terminals
- a nice, velcro-sealed nylon black pouch with a transparent pocket for the manual
- a very well written manual
According to the manual, the charger should be maintenance free and it’s covered by a 5-year limited warranty (void if you abuse it or try to fix it yourself after it breaks) and you get CTEK’s exact address, Web site and FAX number but no ‘voice’ number.
I am very happy with this device because it charged our little tractor’s battery in no time – overnight, actually – following a very long winter that had the battery totally drained. The charger operates in 4 main phases:
- desulphation – takes care of sulphated batteries
- bulk – charges up to 80%, delivers constant current until the terminal voltage reaches the set level
- absorbtion – completes to near-100%
- maintenance – battery is monitored and it receives a pulse when the voltage drops (can keep it connected indefinitely)
Feedback is provided by the charge indicator, when it’s in one of the first 3 phases and the maintenance charge indicator showing that you are now in ‘maintenance’ mode. And, very nicely, there is an alarm light which lights up whenever your battery is connected to reverse polarity.
As far as charging times, according to the manual it varies with the size of the battery, from 1.5 hours on a 2Ah, to 6 hours on an 8Ah, 20 hours on a 20Ah and 36 hours on a 36Ah battery. Like I said, ours was done overnight.
My impression so far is of a well built, complete battery charging set that’s easy to use and comes with a well-written manual that can make even non-professionals like me look like ‘experts’.
CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger Feature
- Includes two interchangeable connection leads, one with clamps, and one with eyelet terminals; 5 year limited warranty
- Four step, automatic switch charging, that allows for easy, convenient, no-watch battery charging
- Charges 12-volt lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, Gel and AGM) from 12Ah to 32Ah (charging), 12-100Ah (maintenance)
- Maintenance pulse charging increases battery life and gives superb performance, and patented desulphation functionality allows for the recovery of slightly sulphated batteries
- Compact design with mounting holes allows for permanent assembly, and the charger to be connected for months, makes this charger ideal for motorcycles, cars, lawn mowers, jet skis and any other vehicle with batteries up to 100Ah
CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger Overview
The CTEK US 800 is the perfect maintenance charger, it keeps your seasonal vehicles with batteries up to 100Ah in good shape. It easily charges smaller 12 Volt batteries common to motor bikes, lawnmowers and jet skis. The US 800 has a 5 year warranty, delivers 0.8-Ampere and is IP65 classified (Splash and dust proof). All CTEK battery chargers are electronic proof, non-sparking and reverse polarity and short circuit proof. IP 65. 110 Volt. Capacity 1.2-100 Ah. Charging current 0.8-Ampere. 5 5/8-inch x 2-inch x 1 3/8-inch. Weight 0.7 pounds.
CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger Specifications
CTEK Power’s US 800 is a switch mode battery charger with pulse maintenance and is a part of a series of professional battery chargers from CTEK Sweden AB. These chargers represent the latest technology within battery charging. A recent addition to the CTEK family of “the smartest battery chargers in the world,” the US 800 automatically and easily charges all smaller 12V lead-acid batteries, making it perfect for motorcycles, cars, lawn mowers, jet skis and any other vehicle with batteries up to 100Ah. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } table.callout { font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1. 3em; } td.vgoverview { height: 125px; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; }
Four-step Automatic Battery Charging Cycle
There is no need for any specific knowledge of batteries or their charging methods; the US 800 will take care of it. The US 800 utilizes a four-step fully automatic charging cycle. First, patented desulphation functionality allows for possible reconditioning of batteries that have lost power due to nonuse. This is followed by Bulk Charging, when 80% of charging takes place; then Absorption Charging which completes charging up to virtually 100%; and finally Pulse/Maintenance Charging, in which the battery receives a pulse of electricity when the voltage drops below 95%, keeping the battery in perfect condition indefinitely when it is not used. If the battery is loaded and the battery’s terminal voltage drops to 12.9V the charger automatically switches back to the beginning of the four-step cycle. Also, the US 800 can be connected for months and it is specifically developed for seasonal vehicles.
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Safe, automatic charging suitable for all-weather conditions.
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4-step battery charging explained.
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Charger includes alligator clips with cables for instant connections, and a set of battery cables with eyelet terminals for semi-permanent installation.
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Charging for All-weather Conditions
A very light and compact charger, but still extremely robust and water and dust resistant (IP65 classification), the US 800 is designed to charge and maintain batteries, no matter the weather, temperature or situation. The US 800 is certified for use between –4°F and +122°F. In order to make things easier and more convenient, its Comfort Connect (eyelet terminals) can be permanently connected to the vehicle’s battery.
Designed for Safety and Compatibility
All CTEK models are designed to consider the safety of the user. They are spark free, making the connection much easier and safer, considering the gases batteries normally produce. The US 800 is also protected from reverse-polarity connections and is short-circuit proof. A red light on the charger will simply indicate that the charging cannot begin until the user has connected the charger correctly. In addition, unlike less-sophisticated chargers, there is no need to disconnect the battery from the overall vehicle system since the US 800 is specially designed to not damage electronic systems.
Key Features:
- Four step, automatic switch charging, with patented desulfation functionality to recondition batteries that have lost power due to nonuse.
- Charges lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, Gel and AGM) from 1.2Ah to 32Ah (charging), 1.2-100Ah (maintenance).
- Maintenance pulse charging increases battery life and gives superb performance.
- Pulse recovery of slightly sulphated batteries.
- Low back current drain, low ripple and input voltage independent.
- Includes two interchangeable connection leads, one with clamps, and one with eyelet terminals.
- The charger can be connected for months, ideal for seasonal vehicles, and compact design with mounting holes allows for permanent assembly.
- 5 year limited warranty.
The CTEK Battery Charger Line
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US 800
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UC 800
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Multi US 3300
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Multi US 7002
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| Input voltage AC: |
100–120VAC, 50–60Hz |
100–120VAC, 50–60Hz |
100–120VAC, 50–60Hz |
100–120VAC, 50–60Hz |
| Output voltage: |
Nominal:12V |
Nominal: 6V |
Nominal:12V |
Nominal:12V |
| Efficiency: |
High 85% |
High 85% |
High 85% |
High 85% |
| Charging voltage: |
14.4V |
7.2V |
14.4V/14.7V |
14.4V/14.7V |
| Charging current: |
0.8A max |
0.8A max |
0.8/3.3A max |
7A max |
| Back current drain*: |
<1mAh |
<1mAh |
<1Ah per month |
<1Ah per month |
| Ripple**: |
~2% |
~2% |
~2% |
~4% |
| Ambient temperature: |
-4°F to +122°F |
-4°F to +122°F |
-4°F to +122°F |
-4°F to +122°F |
| Type of charger: |
4 step, fully automatic switch mode with pulse maintenance |
4 step, fully automatic switch mode with pulse maintenance |
4 step, fully automatic switch mode with pulse maintenance |
8–step, fully automatic switch mode with float pulse/maintenance |
| Type of batteries: |
12V lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, AGM and most GEL) |
6V lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, AGM and most GEL) |
12V lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, AGM, GEL and Ca) |
12V lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, AGM, GEL and Ca) |
| Battery capacity: |
1.2–32Ah (charging) 1.2–100Ah (maintenance) |
1.2–32Ah (charging) 1.2–100Ah (maintenance) |
1.2–75Ah (charging) 1.2–120Ah (maintenance) |
14-150Ah (charging)
14-225Ah (maintenance) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): |
5½ x 2 x 1½ inches |
5½ x 2 x 1½ inches |
6½ x 2⅜ x 1½ inches |
8½ x 3½ x 1⅞ inches |
| Insulation class: |
IP65 (splash and dust proof) |
IP65 (splash and dust proof) |
IP65 (splash and dust proof) |
IP65 (splash and dust proof) |
| Weight: |
0.7lbs |
0.7lbs |
1.1lbs |
1.7lbs |
* Back current drain is what drains the battery if the charger is connected without the power cord connected.
** Ripple describes the quality of the current and voltage. A high current ripple heats the battery and shortens its life. A linear charger has a current ripple of 70–400% which is much larger than the maximum 5% for a modern sealed battery. High voltage ripple could harm other equipment that is connected to the battery. US 800 delivers voltage and current with very low ripple. The battery has a long service life and there is no risk of damage to other electronic devices connected to the battery. |
What’s in the Box
1-CTEK US 800 12V battery charger, 1-set of battery cables with battery terminal clips, 1-set of battery cables with eyelet terminals, detailed instructions.
5-Year Limited Warranty
CTEK Sweden AB, provides a 5-year limited, nontransferable warranty issued from the date of purchase to the original purchaser of this product against defects in workmanship or materials.
About CTEK Power, Inc.
CTEK Power Inc. designs and develops a unique series of battery chargers and special solutions for all types of lead-acid batteries for both personal and professional use. Safety, simplicity and flexibility are key words and requirements that apply to all the products and solutions developed and sold by CTEK. CTEK has sold more than two million battery chargers worldwide, and has its own operations in the US and China, with main and development offices are located in Vikmanshyttan, Dalarna, Sweden.
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jun 22, 2010 13:03:13
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