Ctek battery charger
- Thread starter Johnbmwz4
- Start date
I usually take mine out so there is absolutely no current draw from the battery when charging.
Maybe unnecessary. I dunno. I have an idea that leaving it connected could mess with the deep-cycle phase when charging.
But it's designed to be left hooked up, unattended to the battery long-term whether in the car or not.
Maybe unnecessary. I dunno. I have an idea that leaving it connected could mess with the deep-cycle phase when charging.
But it's designed to be left hooked up, unattended to the battery long-term whether in the car or not.
There is always a debate about having to use the charge points under the bonnet but it's important to understand when you should use them and when it's OK to attach directly to the battery on the e85/86 (I'm not sure about later models). The under-bonnet posts are surge protected to protect against current surge frying components, but CTEK cannot deliver damaging levels of current.
CTEK made BMW battery tenders in the e85/6 era (I'm not sure if they still do) and they came with the connectors for direct-to-battery installation. 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 this definitely requires big fat leads and the surge protection provided by the under-bonnet post. The CTEK doesn't, which is why it's completely safe to use the convenience of the fixed plug-in connector supplied with CTEK.
The real risk with connecting the ctek to the battery in the boot is driving out of the garage with it still plugged in dohhhh
CTEK made BMW battery tenders in the e85/6 era (I'm not sure if they still do) and they came with the connectors for direct-to-battery installation. 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 this definitely requires big fat leads and the surge protection provided by the under-bonnet post. The CTEK doesn't, which is why it's completely safe to use the convenience of the fixed plug-in connector supplied with CTEK.
The real risk with connecting the ctek to the battery in the boot is driving out of the garage with it still plugged in dohhhh
I just normally weld the doors up with my TIG to remind me that the charger is connected. Imagine my frustration the other day after going to the trouble of angle grinding them open again and then simply driving off with the leads still attached!
Next time I will weld the doors up and also take all 4 wheels off.
Next time I will weld the doors up and also take all 4 wheels off.
ph001 said:Ewazix said:ph001 said:
That might work, but wouldn't remind you to remove the locking wheel nut key left on the wheel!
Lol, good point. I’ll tie a ribbon to the steering wheel for that!
I had to laugh, the other day I found a magnetic LED lamp down the side of the engine bay that I 'lost' about a year ago :slaphead:
mikeyboyzzz
Member
I've been using one of these, brilliant bit of kit. I've been leaving a purple towel on the side of the car to make sure I don't drive off with it all still connected...
