Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi,
I just noticed that our local Aldi store has some automatic chargers in for ?14.00
I have used one of these for a few years and am happy with it.
It seems to be the equivalent and the same specification as the larger of the C TEK ones, which are about ?60.00,
It does all the same things,
Microprocessor controlled,
3.8 amps max charge
800 mA trickle charge
70 mA maintenance charge
Regeneration of deeply discharged battery
Extra charge for low temperatures
Can be left connected for long periods.
Also 6 volt for motorcycles.

Described as Auto XS on the box, and known as CPL 2054 at keyelectronics.co.uk in Halifax
Check it out if of use to you.
Eric in Burnley
S3SE DHC

.

I bought what you describe from Aldi several years ago, its a great piece of kit only bettered by the one I later bought at Lidl, bettered only because it is smaller and looks slicker, it doesnt put out as much oompf as the Aldi one, if I have a dead flat battery then the Aldo one gets used.

Like you I think its the same as some expensive branded ones.

The box states made in China,but the charger itself is made in Germany and not tat at all,at that price have bought two ( always keep a spare )

Thanks Eric...

John

Thanks Eric. I went to my local branch in Hove and they had about 4 or 5 of them. Bought one, noticed it rattled when I got home. Think it had been dropped. So took it back and they swapped it for another, no problem. Tried it this morning - seems excellent. I noticed it's not listed on this weeks 'special buys', perhaps it was last weeks, so they will probably run out soon.
A good spot by you!
Regards
Richard

...have had one for a while and it works very well, nicely made!

Have now bought 2 more, too good to miss at ?13.99.

David

Richard,
That is not a special buy, that is the price they have been for a few years.
I expect they only stock them at this time of year.
Aren`t they good,
Eric in Burnley

Cheers Eric, et al
A good shout, an early Christmas present to myself, to replace the 1980s charger I have on the shelf.

Re car chargers in general and other electrical appliances.
The cheapest must be the best?

I bought a Ctek one because it had been highly recommended, and sure enough it works fine. Then I saw a cheap on in Lidl (looks very similar to the Aldi one) and bought one so I didn't have to move the Ctek from garage to workshop.

The Lidl one actually has a more informative display than the Ctek model so I ended up using it more and the next time they came on offer I bought another. Does just what it says on the tin, an excellent bit of kit.

I've used a lidl charger for the last 3 years after it was recommended on SELOC, its as good as the ctec ones i have and cost me ?11. All their tools are great value for the price, nothing i have brought has gone wrong and are lasting better than the Bosch ones i have.

As a professional I safety test such products and attend the site of incidents.
The number one consideration for me is that my classic car doesn't get connected to the power mains and I don't have a garage fire.

SAFTY UPDATE

Hi Guys
I bought two of these great chargers, and one cause some excitement the other day.

After I connected the battery clamps the cable was smoking,



I got new cable and fixed it, and after that I inspected the other one.



You may like to check you own units.

Best regards

Jon the Chief

Hi Jon,
Is there any more info to the incident. Looks like heat from very high current?

Yes, I think the chain of events were: -

The cable fitting in the case is hard plastic and cut through the 12v insulation.

The wires shorted and melted when connected to the 12v battery.

The battery charger was an innocent bystander and was not damaged.

Re-cabled the 12v side, and the battery charger is back working.

The other one that had the damaged insulation I just cropped back the wires and re-soldered to the PCB.

Jon the Chief