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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
It’s that time of year when I normally plug in my CTEK Battery Charger into my E89. I found it simple with my old E85, just plug it in to the cigarette lighter. With the E89 the two power connectors, one the cigarette lighter,the other under the arm rest appear not to be live. I’ve been on line and it appears that there might be a power socket in the boot. It’s possible that my model 2011 SDrive 23i M Sport Highline doesn’t have a power socket in the boot, which would mean that I would have to connect direct to the battery, or via the terminals in the engine bay. Does anybody know any different?
- ph001
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Terminals in the engine bay is usually the preferred place. Defo not across the battery as you have an IBS module.
- ronk
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
The "Book" is quite specific although quit a few members have connected directly over the battery.
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.![Thumbs Up :thumbsup:](./images/smilies/smilie_thumbsup.gif)
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Thanks ph001, seems a bit of a backward step going from E85 to E89. Not much of a comfort package there. Car will have to sit in the garage with the bonnet open.
- Kingfisher
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
You can shut the bonnet OK, under the front rather than the side - no harm done.
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- Lifer
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Plenty of room to connect a c-tek under the bonnet, then run the cable out between the headlight and bumper, shut the bonnet, no problem at all.
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
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E89 35is
G29
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
So, my idea of leaving the CTEK 'convenience'(?) connectors permanently attached to the battery and run up through the boot floor, for connection to the CTEK when needed, is a bad one.
Kuh.
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- Gaffa22
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Well I didn't know that and have been connecting direct to the battery.
Doesn't appear to done any harm, fortunately.
I'll connect under the bonnet in future.
Doesn't appear to done any harm, fortunately.
I'll connect under the bonnet in future.
2010 E89 35i DCT
2017 Honda CBR1000RR fireblade
2016 Honda VFR1200F
![Image](https://image.ibb.co/bUWdgb/IMG_1198_Resize2.jpg)
2017 Honda CBR1000RR fireblade
2016 Honda VFR1200F
![Image](https://image.ibb.co/bUWdgb/IMG_1198_Resize2.jpg)
- ph001
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
I don’t think it would do much harm in reality but the IBS is supposed to look at the recharge current so it knows the battery is fully charged. Take it all with a pinch if salt...I’m of the opinion that if the IBS is looking at live data anyway it will soon sort itself out once you start driving normally.
- Gaffa22
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Well like I said it doesn't seem to have done any harm, I left it connected because the battery is on its way out as it's the original, I have got a new battery the dealer paid for but haven't fitted it yet as I haven't been using the car.
I assume I can permanently attach the Ctek convenience connector to the terminals under the bonnet ?
I assume I can permanently attach the Ctek convenience connector to the terminals under the bonnet ?
2010 E89 35i DCT
2017 Honda CBR1000RR fireblade
2016 Honda VFR1200F
![Image](https://image.ibb.co/bUWdgb/IMG_1198_Resize2.jpg)
2017 Honda CBR1000RR fireblade
2016 Honda VFR1200F
![Image](https://image.ibb.co/bUWdgb/IMG_1198_Resize2.jpg)
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
For the last 3 winters mine has been connected direct to the battery using the convenience connections which I leave in place all year . There has been no ill effect or problems . Its easier than under the hood due to the lengths of the CTEC cables.
Panther Kallista 2.8
S Drive 3.0i E89 2009 Space Grey Coral red Int 18" 295 wheels
S Drive 3.0i E89 2009 Space Grey Coral red Int 18" 295 wheels
- Ewazix
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
I've always understood that the connection post is recommended in owners manuals because high amp fast chargers and jump starting can overload the system and there is charge protection on the post. For comparison the ctek is strictly speaking a smart controlled 'conditioner' which delivers a max of 5 amps (hence the skinny leads). An average boost or jump starter will push over 400 amps which would knock down a horse! so requires the big fat leads and quite sensibly needs protection.
The CTEK is safe to connect directly to the battery via the supplied plug, in fact CTEK make the chargers for BMW and are identical, including the battery plugs and lead supplied even for the E89.
The CTEK is safe to connect directly to the battery via the supplied plug, in fact CTEK make the chargers for BMW and are identical, including the battery plugs and lead supplied even for the E89.
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- Gaffa22
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Handy to know, Thanks Ewazix
I must admit I thought it unlikely a Ctek battery charger would push enough amperage to cause any harm.
Jump starting as you say, is a different mater
I must admit I thought it unlikely a Ctek battery charger would push enough amperage to cause any harm.
Jump starting as you say, is a different mater
2010 E89 35i DCT
2017 Honda CBR1000RR fireblade
2016 Honda VFR1200F
![Image](https://image.ibb.co/bUWdgb/IMG_1198_Resize2.jpg)
2017 Honda CBR1000RR fireblade
2016 Honda VFR1200F
![Image](https://image.ibb.co/bUWdgb/IMG_1198_Resize2.jpg)
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Surely, once the battery is fully charged, it is fully charged, you cannot charge it higher than its max physical capacity.ph001 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 07, 2017 9:18 pm I don’t think it would do much harm in reality but the IBS is supposed to look at the recharge current so it knows the battery is fully charged. Take it all with a pinch if salt...I’m of the opinion that if the IBS is looking at live data anyway it will soon sort itself out once you start driving normally.
Why do we need a module to monitor something that is fixed?
Is it to warn of excess discharge? or maybe something to do with the system that disconnects the alternator at full charge?
Either way would it be required or active (connected) if the car is parked up?
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
- ph001
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Connecting CTEK Battery Charger?
Read this... viewtopic.php?f=23&t=100385&start=15mcbutler wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2017 2:07 pmSurely, once the battery is fully charged, it is fully charged, you cannot charge it higher than its max physical capacity.ph001 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 07, 2017 9:18 pm I don’t think it would do much harm in reality but the IBS is supposed to look at the recharge current so it knows the battery is fully charged. Take it all with a pinch if salt...I’m of the opinion that if the IBS is looking at live data anyway it will soon sort itself out once you start driving normally.
Why do we need a module to monitor something that is fixed?
Is it to warn of excess discharge? or maybe something to do with the system that disconnects the alternator at full charge?
Either way would it be required or active (connected) if the car is parked up?
The IBS module is active all the time btw.