Battery when garaged over winter

[Busterboo]

Yes!

 

[enzed4]

The charger I bought came with an adapter to mount by the front grille for easy connect/disconnet, but I didn't want it sitting so exposed to the elements (water spraying in from other vehicles etc) so I mounted it inside the engine bay. Once connected, I can close the bonnet (feeding the cable through the gap between the headlight and bumper) and leave it on charge as long as it needs


And since I know how good my memory is, so I don't drive out of the garage with the charger still attached, I leave this subtle notice hanging on the wiper stalk

 

[Mark R]

Get a new CTek and it should come with a quick connector that you attach to the battery, then its a simple plug in switch on and your done.

 

[Busterboo]

I have the same. However, I assume that the advantage of this connection is that it shows when the battery charge is low:
https://shop.bmw.co.uk/INTERSHOP/web/WF ... =PID_86039

 

[ronk]

I have the same. However, I assume that the advantage of this connection is that it shows when the battery charge is low:
https://shop.bmw.co.uk/INTERSHOP/web/WF ...
=PID_86039

I don’t think I’ll bother - if an auto battery charger is fitted for hibernation periods it will look after the state of charge - if it’s reassurance that’s needed, just stick a voltmeter across the battery,

 

[Busterboo]

For £13

 

[ronk]

No doubt it’s cheap but you either trust the maintenance charger or not - so i can’t see the point - other than it’s another toy in the toybox

 

[Red61]

Hi,

Sorry if this is daft question but can you connect a trickle charger through the cigar lighter socket like in the old days?!

 

[jabber]

Hi,

Sorry if this is daft question but can you connect a trickle charger through the cigar lighter socket like in the old days?!

I don’t think so its recomended to connect to the under bonnet points

 

[ronk]

I've got ... the ctek mxs7 £80 with the cigarette lighter plug ...

Can you use it on an E89 through the cigarette lighter?

If the ciggie lighter socket doesn’t stay live with the ign circuit off - then No!

But remember that the book says use the under bonnet pins - they must have their reasons !

 

[Busterboo]

My question to mentalnerve was rhetorical. I know you can't. At least, not on my car.

As for the under-bonnet pins, I agree with you. BMW seemed to go to a lot of bother to stop punters using the battery terminals. Then, they market a £13 pair of connectors that take you straight to them.