XSeries-forum

Does anyone charge the battery on there car to keep it topped up when the car does not get used much?

My X will stand for a week at a time when I am away and I was wondering if I should think about a way of giving the battery a topup especcially in the winter.

Rich...

Yes. Our E46 is now SORN'd and although I don't do it weekly, I do charge the car monthly by connecting it to a CTEK 8-stage Battery Conditioner/Charger. I used to do the same in the Winter on my motorbike too.

Saves any 'embarrassing' no starts when you need to use the vehicle..

I was wondering what the best way to connect to the battery was on the X5.

I was thinking about wiring a 12v socket direct to the battery and them simply plugging into it.

Would I be ok leaving the battery connected when charging? I guess it would be no diffrent to when the car is running anyway.


Rich...

I leave mine for long periods and have tried a solar charger but this didnt keep up with the drain so either I will need a bigger one, or I will use an optimate type charger/conditioner next as they work ok on my motorbikes. Leaving it for a week was no problem though.

I use the jump start points under the bonnet. The CTEK chargers come with leads that you can leave in place as there is a connector partway down the lead. There is an 'eye-lead' option and a 'croc-clip' option.

Although I haven't done it, in theory I could undo the jumper points and put the eyelets under them and plug in the charger when needed..

I have the previous version of this model. There are often discounts around too..

Thanks

The Ctek looks good.

I think I will be able to adapt the conection so it is inside the car as if the wife needs to use the car it will be easier for her. She does not do opeing the bonet

Rich...

Hmmmm, yeah I married one like that too....

FYI the CTEK series are those rebadged and offered by BMW - with a suitably exorbitant price increase..

Just found this one close enough to go and collect it to save on postage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-MXS-5-0- ... 19cec525ab

I have just tested the 12v sockets on my X and they are all preminant live. I was thinking of just putting a 12V type plug on the end of the Ctek lead and charging it that way.

Can anyone think of a problem in doing this?


PS Just tested the batery through a 12v socket and the battery is 12.38 volts after standing for 7 Days, it has been cold up north as well so I guess that is ok for at least a week.

Rich...

[quote=""Cannondale""]Just found this one close enough to go and collect it to save on postage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-MXS-5-0- ... 19cec525ab

I have just tested the 12v sockets on my X and they are all preminant live. I was thinking of just putting a 12V type plug on the end of the Ctek lead and charging it that way.

Can anyone think of a problem in doing this?


PS Just tested the batery through a 12v socket and the battery is 12.38 volts after standing for 7 Days, it has been cold up north as well so I guess that is ok for at least a week.

Rich...[/quote]

Did you notice they have a bigger version available, might be more suitable for an X5 battery ??

I too have a Ctek which is superb as it is a conditioner too as well as just a charger. Great bit of kit and as said you can leave the terminal end permanently connected. If you want to bring it into the car you can always solder an extra length of cable to the ring terminals so that the plug connector is suitably placed within the cabin.

So you can condition the battery and stop it going flat by connecting to the battery and then powering via one of the 12v inside the car

Had issues overnight with battery drain, so will also be getting a decent charger. But the main reason for posting here is to compliment Raj on that signature photo, them wheels are fantastic!!!! Looking really nice!,,

[quote=""X6_40d_Nick""] But the main reason for posting here is to compliment Raj on that signature photo, them wheels are fantastic!!!! Looking really nice!,,[/quote]

Cheers...

Was playing with different angles and my Nikon.

[quote=""Raj""]Cheers...

Was playing with different angles and my Nikon.[/quote]

They'll look better still with a Canon then......

[quote=""X5Sport""][quote=""Raj""]Cheers...

Was playing with different angles and my Nikon.[/quote]

They'll look better still with a Canon then...... [/quote]

PMSL.... Cheeky sod...lol