Gear: CTEK CS FREE battery charger, maintainer and jump-starter

Described as a multifunction portable charger, the CS FREE has a built-in lithium-ion battery that can in about 15 minutes can give a flat battery enough power to crank the engine.

“It’s this Adaptive Boost technology that allows the innovative new charger to get a flat battery going quickly and safely – without the need for plugging into mains power, as it’s a portable charger you can use wherever you go,” CTEK said.

“The CS FREE features an internal lithium battery that takes less than an hour to fully charge through the unit’s fast USB-C input, and when fully charged, the unit will hold its charge for up to a year, allowing it to stored in a vehicle for whenever it’s needed.

CTEK said that unlike traditional boosters or jump starters, the CS FREE could analyse the battery using its Adaptive Boost technology to work out the quickest and safest way to power up and protect it – all without damaging the battery or the boat’s sensitive electronics.

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The CTEK CS Free can even be recharged in the car on the way to the boat ramp, and can act as a power bank for anything from smartphones to tablets and even laptops via its traditional USB or smaller USB-C connectors.

Plug in the solar panel charge kit, and the unit can even top up itself to make it ready for another jump start.

Back in the driveway, the CTEK CS FREE can plug into mains power to recharge the boat’s batteries, helping to ensure their long-term health and extending battery life by up to three times.

The CS FREE is now available in Australia and comes with a two-year warranty. It is available now via Edisons for $499.

Flat batteries are one of the leading causes behind calls for assistance made by boaters to coast guard services. Most of the calls for help come in afternoons when boaters encounter problems trying to restart their boat engines after a day out on the water.