ISTR Dave mentioning problems with the mode switch on CTEK chargers. Mine seems to be going intermittent. Is it a difficult fix, and are the parts a common generic switch?
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5 years ago
CTEK Chargers (ping Dave Plowman?)
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5 years ago
Not sure about all the varieties, but the one I fixed had a fairly standard 'click' switch known as a tactile switch. There are different sizes, but I happened to have a spare.
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5 years ago
If you measure it up, the easiest source is probably Ebay for one. Or send me the dimensions - I've got quite a variety here. You might find one with too long a 'button' but these are plastic and easy to cut down to the right length.
I wanted some (different size) for a car remote control, and ended up buying a selection box from the far east. It has 6 different sizes - but I'd guess your C-tek uses a pretty common size.
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5 years ago
Are these the Aldi ones? I've had many fail (including one where that switch didn't work from new, but unfortunately I didn't try using it for a few years). I did repair the switch, but the other failures have been catastrophic on the hot side of the SMPSU.
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5 years ago
Cheers, I'll get it opened up tomorrow, it's currently (!) charging SWMBO's car.
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5 years ago
This is an actual CTEK one. The switch just seems intermittent and takes several presses to start up properly.
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5 years ago
C-tek is a posh brand costing several times that of the Lidl/Aldi 14 quid jobbies. But looks suspiciously like they come from the same factory.
I know of quite a few Lidl ones - and several have had switch failures. But not anything else. Did wonder if the switch is marginal for the loading, as it's unlikely to get worn out mechanically.
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5 years ago
It looks pretty standard- 7mm square- but has a hole in the button that a plastic widget fits into to form the button surface.
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5 years ago
widget. The switches seem to be pennies on ebay and Amazon.
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5 years ago
The Lidl ones don't have a plastic button on the switch. Merely a flexible plastic cover over it which seems to be part of the case.
But you could drill a hole in the switch shaft to take it?
As you say they are cheap enough to wreck a few. ;-)
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5 years ago
It's almost mushroom-shaped, to spread the load over the flexible cover. I think even if I have to chop the pin off it, it'll work, maybe with a blob of silicone to hold it against the flexi cover.
Might be tricky, it's very small.
Indeed. Just need to take some measurements and get a close match.
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5 years ago
Fixed :-). For the record, I got a 6mm x 6mm 4.7mm button height switch, an chopped the pin off the plastic spreader button. 15 mins and 4 solder joints, and it fits and works perfectly. Thanks Dave!
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5 years ago
Good. Even with the low cost Lidl ones, it's cost effective to do.