CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger

by CTEK

Product Features

• 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

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 2.5 x 6 inches ; 11.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002QUT8IC
• Item model number: 56-213
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,148 in Automotive (See Top 100 in Automotive)
  • #74 in Automotive > Tools & Equipment > Jump Starters, Battery Chargers & Portable Power > Battery Chargers

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

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. 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. Safe, automatic charging suitable for all-weather conditions. View larger. 4-step battery charging explained. View larger. Charger includes alligator clips with cables for instant connections, and a set of battery cables with eyelet terminals for semi-permanent installation. View larger. 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   US 800 UC 800 Multi US 3300 Multi US 7002 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.

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ctek US 800 and BatteryMINDer 12117, August 29, 2011

By 

John Kirsten - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger (Automotive)

I have one of each of these battery maintainers. Both of these can be connected to a battery indefinitely without boiling it dry. Both come with a set of battery clips and a set of fuse-protected ring terminals for permanent installation. Both have reverse polarity protection(hook them up to the wrong terminals, and nothing happens). The Ctek has a power cord; the BatteryMINDer 12117 plugs directly into a socket. The BatteryMINDer has a button that allows you to select maintenance mode; the Ctek has no buttons.
Some reviewers say the Ctek gets very hot; it does. The BatteryMINDer gets equally hot, and is always hot when plugged in, whether it is in the charging phase or maintenance phase. When the Ctek is in maintenance phase, it is only warm.
The BatteryMINDer 12117 manual states that it desulphates in all modes. One reviewer stated the Ctek also continually desulphates, but the Ctek manual mentions desulphation only in the first stage of battery charging. It could be continuous, but an oscilloscope would be necessary to test that, and I do not have one.
The BatteryMINDer 12117 charges a battery to about 14.1 volts; the Ctek, 14.4. After the initial charge, both go into maintenance mode. The BatteryMINDer allows the battery to drop to 13.4 volts and then keeps it there exactly. The Ctek allows the voltage to drop to about 12.95 volts, gives it a pulse up to 13.05 volts, lets it drop to 12.95 volts, gives it a pulse up to 13.05 volts, etc. If the battery being charged by the BatteryMINDer does not get up to 14.1 volts, it will not switch into maintenance mode. If it does not switch within three days, the instructions state you should manually select that with the button. The Ctek will automatically go into maintenance mode after 18 hours, if the battery has not already reached 14.4 volts and changed over.
The BatteryMINDer maintainer will eventually drain your battery(in about a week) if it is connected and the power goes off or it is accidentally unplugged, etc. The Ctek draws less than 1mA(an insignificant amount)in this scenario.
The Ctek unit is weatherproof with very weatherproof, molded-on connectors. Because the connectors are unique and no extension is available, the only way to increase the distance between the main unit and the battery you are charging is to cut the wire and splice in more. This can be avoided by mounting the charger in a vehicle's engine compartment and using an extension cord, but my engine compartment is so crowded I chose not to do this.
The BatteryMINDer is not weatherproof(they offer a more expensive unitBatteryMINDer 12 Volt OnBoard Battery Restorer/Conditioner - Model# OBD-12 that is weatherproof). The connectors are molded-on and weatherproof, but they do not seal out the elements as well as the Ctek ones. BatteryMINDer also does not offer an extension, but I purchased a BatteryTender extensionBattery Tender 081-0148-25 25' Quick Disconnect Extension Cable that works perfectly.
The Ctek will push a maximum of 0.8A at 12 volts, while the BatteryMINDer is 1A at 12 volts(1.3A is what it delivers when a battery is at about 10.5 volts), making the BatteryMINDer a little faster.
At the time I am writing this, the BatteryMINDer is about $8.50 more than the Ctek.
I have given both of these five stars, and I have no preference between the two.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Effective, reliable, safe, easy to use, May 20, 2010

By 

A. Dent "Aragorn" (Minas Anor, GD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger (Automotive)

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 :).

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'.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CTEK, February 2, 2010

By 

Terry B. Long - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CTEK US 800 12V Smart Battery Charger (Automotive)

I plugged the Ctek charger into a stored car and it brought the battery up to charge as per instructions. It now maintains the car as advertised on a maintenance charge. The CTEK works exactly as it is supposed to. The cigarette lighter adapter was a welcome addition.