Battery Charger Advice

[Gclarkie]

This might have been discussed in the past but new to the site so apologies if i has.

Looking to purchase a  battery charger for my E70. From what I am reading top up charges would help extend the life of my battery.

I'm assuming that CTEK ones are the best. If so which one should I choose? Also, what is the best method to connect to the battery? I like the idea of the CTEK CTE-56382 Comfort Indicator with 8mm Eyelet Adaptors. Would this work ok?

Thanks in anticipation.

[ndj]

CTEK 5.0 is the best price/performance compromise.

I'm still in a pre-X5 stage  ::) but with my M3 and 1 series I use the under bonnet charging/jump-start terminals.

I was advised that attaching directly to the battery can upset the IBS (in the 1 & 3 series at least).

[Barney]

Where can they be connected under the bonnet ? Is there a suitable pos and neg take off ?

[X5Sport]

Use the standard charging/jumper points under the bonnet.  This is my X6 and the +ve is on the right suspension turret under the red cover....the -ve is nearby (a 19mm nut).



And yes a CTEK will do the job.

Richard

[Nessimmersion]

Does anyone know if the 12v sockets (either in boot or the cigar lighter) remain live or on once the car is locked, or if it is like the Webasto on my old E53 which wouldn't work below 11.5V?

[X5Sport]

Not on the E70/71.  BMW decided to shut those down once the key is out - which is a real pain if you're carrying a powered freezer box for shopping etc!

If you go down the CTEK route they do make cabling you can permanently install to the jump points that has a 'snatch' plug that then connects to the charger leads.  Other charger suppliers may do the same sort of thing.

Richard