Z4 - E89 Battery Charging - BMW Car Club Forum

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W00dl34Z4

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Topic: Z4 - E89 Battery Charging
Posted: 23 Nov 2023 at 2:27pm

I am now the proud owner of a CTEK MX5 battery charger. I would like to connect the eyelets with cable (supplied with the charger), directly to the battery rather than using the terminal posts in the engine compartment (cable and connectors also supplied). The Z4 handbook is not helpful and advice received so far is confusing.
What is the correct method of connecting the charger that will preserve the integrity of the car - at the battery in the boot, or at the terminal posts in the engine compartment.

I look forward to your considered advice...

Thanks
Woodlea34Z4

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Tony

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Posted: 24 Nov 2023 at 9:19am

Whilst the CTEK shouldn't cause the same sort of load as a jump start, I believe the directions to use the under-bonnet connections is because they allow the car's battery management & electronic protections systems to prevent damage to the battery or vulnerable modules.

2006 Z4MC
Individual Ruby Black, Extended Champagne, Piano Black trim

2016 335xD M-Sport Touring
Estoril Blue, Black Dakota Leather, M-Performance carbon/alcantara trim

W00dl34Z4

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Posted: 24 Nov 2023 at 11:33am

Tony

I am indebted to you for your reply and will follow your advice. I understand the logic supporting your advice. The only problem I now have is that non the 35iS the '+' post is not that close to the '-' post but that is a trivial matter and I am sure I can find a suitable earth slightly nearer to the '+' post.

Best wishes, Martin

Mike Fishwick View Drop Down

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Posted: 26 Nov 2023 at 11:00am

As the jump start connections are, electrically speaking simply an extension of the battery terminals, why not connect a Hella/BMW-type of socket directly to the battery via a fuse? This would be easier to connect than messing around under the bonnet.

Also, have you thought about using the cigar lighter with a suitable plug? CTEK should be able to confirm the process for avoiding the canbus system from shutting it down the cigar lighter after the

igition is turned off

I am not familiar with modern BMWs, but if your car has a battery monitoring system, use of the cigar lighter should be able to pass current through the sensor.

Edited by Mike Fishwick - 26 Nov 2023 at 12:28pm

A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

NickDE

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Posted: 26 Nov 2023 at 4:22pm

On my E30 and E46 I connected the CTEK connector wire with the eyelets to the battery connectors - you can usually slip them over the bolts that clamp the terminals onto the battery so quick and simple. For the E46 the plug end of the cable then pokes out of the battery compartment cover. The CTEK then lives safely in the boot with the extension lead squeezed by the boot seal, so safe and secure.

Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator

Tony

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Posted: 27 Nov 2023 at 5:36pm

That's why I said it's to protect the electronics in the charging system, as newer vehicles are more susceptible to being charged/jump-started incorrectly.

Edited by Tony - 27 Nov 2023 at 5:39pm

2006 Z4MC
Individual Ruby Black, Extended Champagne, Piano Black trim

2016 335xD M-Sport Touring
Estoril Blue, Black Dakota Leather, M-Performance carbon/alcantara trim

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W00dl34Z4 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 26 Jan 2023 Location: cr2 7bf Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote W00dl34Z4 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Z4 - E89 Battery Charging Posted: 23 Nov 2023 at 2:27pm
	I am now the proud owner of a CTEK MX5 battery charger. I would like to connect the eyelets with cable (supplied with the charger), directly to the battery rather than using the terminal posts in the engine compartment (cable and connectors also supplied). The Z4 handbook is not helpful and advice received so far is confusing. What is the correct method of connecting the charger that will preserve the integrity of the car - at the battery in the boot, or at the terminal posts in the engine compartment. I look forward to your considered advice... Thanks Woodlea34Z4

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Tony Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 210	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tony Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Nov 2023 at 9:19am
	Whilst the CTEK shouldn't cause the same sort of load as a jump start, I believe the directions to use the under-bonnet connections is because they allow the car's battery management & electronic protections systems to prevent damage to the battery or vulnerable modules.
	2006 Z4MC Individual Ruby Black, Extended Champagne, Piano Black trim 2016 335xD M-Sport Touring Estoril Blue, Black Dakota Leather, M-Performance carbon/alcantara trim

W00dl34Z4 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 26 Jan 2023 Location: cr2 7bf Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote W00dl34Z4 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Nov 2023 at 11:33am
	Tony I am indebted to you for your reply and will follow your advice. I understand the logic supporting your advice. The only problem I now have is that non the 35iS the '+' post is not that close to the '-' post but that is a trivial matter and I am sure I can find a suitable earth slightly nearer to the '+' post. Best wishes, Martin

Mike Fishwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike Fishwick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Nov 2023 at 11:00am
	As the jump start connections are, electrically speaking simply an extension of the battery terminals, why not connect a Hella/BMW-type of socket directly to the battery via a fuse? This would be easier to connect than messing around under the bonnet. Also, have you thought about using the cigar lighter with a suitable plug? CTEK should be able to confirm the process for avoiding the canbus system from shutting it down the cigar lighter after the igition is turned off I am not familiar with modern BMWs, but if your car has a battery monitoring system, use of the cigar lighter should be able to pass current through the sensor. Edited by Mike Fishwick - 26 Nov 2023 at 12:28pm
	A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

NickDE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Region Chair North East Chairman Joined: 14 Mar 2015 Location: Newcastle Status: Offline Points: 1139	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickDE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Nov 2023 at 4:22pm
	On my E30 and E46 I connected the CTEK connector wire with the eyelets to the battery connectors - you can usually slip them over the bolts that clamp the terminals onto the battery so quick and simple. For the E46 the plug end of the cable then pokes out of the battery compartment cover. The CTEK then lives safely in the boot with the extension lead squeezed by the boot seal, so safe and secure.
	Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator

Tony Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 210	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tony Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 2023 at 5:36pm
	That's why I said it's to protect the electronics in the charging system, as newer vehicles are more susceptible to being charged/jump-started incorrectly. Edited by Tony - 27 Nov 2023 at 5:39pm
	2006 Z4MC Individual Ruby Black, Extended Champagne, Piano Black trim 2016 335xD M-Sport Touring Estoril Blue, Black Dakota Leather, M-Performance carbon/alcantara trim