Perry Mack
CTEK MXS 5.0
Keep new batteries at peak performance
Product Showcase 4WD196 - Part 2
CTEK MXS 5.0 Smart Charger
Vehicle batteries in Canada take a sh*t kicking. Frozen solid in winter, baked in summer heat and stressed with A/C loads, along with the ever-increasing number of additional accessories like winches, lights and compressors. Then we often leave them unattended for months in our off-road rigs, quads, RV’s and motorcycles as we wait for the winter to thaw and spring to return. Or the snowmobile as it sits waiting for a decent snow base.
Battery chargers with maintenance cycles have been around for decades, but recent advances in Smart chargers are beginning to help us extend the life of these batteries (up to two or three times), so we’re not dropping hundreds of dollars at Canadian Tire every three to five years (or sooner).
The MXS 5.0 from CTEK is the most technologically advanced smart charger to date, adjusting the charge rate based on the ambient temperature. Bobbie DuMelle, executive VP of CTEK North America explains, “Cold batteries need a higher charge voltage in order to push current into the battery plates and electrolyte, while warmer batteries require a lower charge voltage to eliminate potential damage to cells and reduce unnecessary gassing.”
We hooked it up to one of our heavily abused batteries. The unit has an eight-step battery care program designed to restore discharged batteries back to peak condition and then maintain them indefinitely.
One of the important benefits of this type of charger is you can leave it on the battery for months while the battery is in the vehicle, without damaging the advanced electronics standard in many vehicles.
It works for all types of 12V lead acid batteries including wet, calcium, gel, EFB and AGM.
So if you, like me, dust off the thirty year old charger and hook it up to your vehicle in the spring to get it going, it might be time to spend some dough on one of these smart units and proactively maintain the batteries through periods of non-use.
Get up to date pricing and more model specs here: CTEK MXS
Click here to watch our youtube video as we Test & Review the CTEK MXS 5.0 Smart Charger.
Orion Coolers
Orion Coolers
Some of you may have heard of Eric Jackson, the engineer and paddler behind Jackson Kayaks, some of the toughest rotomolded whitewater kayaks in the world, as well as paddleboards, and kayaks for other recreational uses including fishing. When the opportunity arose to design and build coolers to the same ‘build it like it’s your own’ standards, he and his company developed Orion coolers.
We were so impressed with them at the iCast fishing show in Orlando, we walked away with the handy 25-litre size (they are available up to 85 litres). This rugged, bear-resistant cooler was designed for outdoor travel use with six tie-down points, low profile camming latches, comfortable (and removable) carry handles, and bottle openers at all four corners.
The lid is secured with beefy hinges and incorporates a rubber seal for a perfect tight fit when closed. The latches are so secure, and the cooler so tough, we brought it home as checked luggage – no box, no wrapping. It is built the way you or I would build a cooler for ourselves.
YakAttack tracks are built-in to the sides so you can attach a variety of RAM accessories like rod, cup or paddle holders to make it very versatile while strapped onto your kayak or quad. The lid has a layer of EVA foam, so it’s comfortable to sit on, and secure and safe enough to jump on – naturally I had to check.
And finally, the ‘cool’ part. Two inches of insulation provide incredible insulation against heat. We had food in the cooler, in the car, on a 35°C hot, humid Florida afternoon for four hours – and the cooler stayed cold.
All this engineering comes at a price. The Orion 25 weighs in at 9.75 kilograms (heavier than most of its size), the thick insulation means it’s small inside given its outer dimensions, and it has an MSRP of $419 CDN ($369 USD). However, for the true outdoors person looking for the most efficient, full-featured and rugged cooler on the planet – this is it.
Get up to date pricing on coolers: Orion and other coolers
Click here to watch our youtube video on Orion Coolers.
Quickie
How Quick is a Quickie?
By Bryan Irons @bryanirons
Most think of a ratchet strap as a simple tie down tool, but they can be used for so much more. The quality of the ones locally sourced has always been an issue, but the USA-made Quickie made me a believer in the ratchet strap… again. Around the shop, the abuse never eases when it comes to positioning suspension parts, some tight quarters lifting, and securing parts together for assembly. On the trail, in the included carry case, they are ready for odd jobs like reseating stubborn tire beads, temporarily securing any broken or bashed up components, and holding down any tool boxes or parts that could become projectiles in the event of a mishap on the trail.
What makes the Quickie different? As you can see in the pics… it’s rope! The webbing that normally succumbs to UV damage, cuts during minor abrasion and gets tangled in knots at every opportunity is long gone. The second major difference you notice is the cast aluminum gripping mechanism that allows for a tight grip on the rope. This allows you to ratchet from one end of the rope to the other without having to reset them, or you can simply pull on the loose end of the rope to tension them quickly and use the handle to really tighten them down. This design also keeps the torque constant if so required.
Transport Canada has approved the Quickie and are donned in a 650 Lbs rating for the 3/8” version, the ¼” with a 250 lbs, and a 1/8” version rated for 150 lbs. The powder coated metal handle mechanism has non-slip plastic ends for easy use, but if you need more torque for whatever job doing, there is a provision to insert a ½” square drive tool such as a ratchet or speed handle.
After months of abuse and thousands of kilometers on the road with me, I’m hard pressed to make a trip without the carry case of Quickie straps in the truck or on the trail. Winter snow and ice have not locked them up, I haven’t bent the handles or hooks at all, they laugh a mud and road grime, and always hold their tension.
Rigid Pro
RIGID PRO Professional Race Grade
RIGID leads the off-road and powersports lighting industry in design, performance, and innovation. The nearly constant release of revolutionary new products like the Adapt, Chase, and Reflect has cemented the company’s dominance for years to come. In addition to these new products, RIGID is making major enhancements to its existing catalogue with the release of the new high performance PRO (Professional Race Output) product lineup. Most of RIGID’s products will now benefit from new superior LED technology which will deliver up to 170% more light output than the previous models. Along with these serious performance upgrades, all of the products will receive enhanced RIGID branding as well as redesigned packaging. Best of all, these new improvements will come without a price increase and just rolled out in August of 2017.
https://www.rigidindustries.com
Elite Line
Expanded Elite Line of Exterior Accessories for 2007-2017 Wrangler JK / JKU Models
Rugged Ridge® announced the expansion of its Elite Line of exterior styling accessories with the addition of its Elite Turn Signal Guards, Elite Fog Light Guards and Elite Side Marker Light Guards for 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler JK and JKU models.
Rugged Ridge’s Elite Line of exterior accessories features patented designs intended to provide an attractive and desirable option for JK owners that incorporates Rugged Ridge’s exclusive Elite Line styling, high-quality materials and premium finishes – elements selected to separate the Elite products from others currently found in the JK aftermarket.
Rugged Ridge’s new Elite Turn Signal Guards, Elite Fog Light Guards and Elite Side Marker Light Guards all feature full die-cast aluminum construction, along with a premium black powder coated finish, chosen for its exceptional durability and appearance.
The new Elite Light Guards are designed with the same distinctive styling as the Elite Headlight Guards for a complete lighting protection package that delivers a cohesive appearance.
The Rugged Ridge® Elite Line of exterior accessories for Wrangler JK and JKU models are backed by an industry-leading five-year limited warranty and are available online and through select Jeep and off-road accessories retailers nationwide.