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Car jump/starter |
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agagneux
Club Member Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Posted: 05 Mar 2019 at 11:35pm |
I am looking for advice. My E39 does not get driven too often and I regularly (once every other year) have to call the AA to jump start the car.
It is embarrassing frankly. What car charger would do the trick? Would this one be any good? Many thanks. AG
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Norrie
Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4047 |
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I use the CTEK 7.0 MSX, bought from Halfords using the Club discount 10%. I don't think the battery in my E39 is an AGM one so check the level of charger needed. The BMW Charger is also a CTEK one, made in China, I have one of those also, but the 7.0 is superior in diagnostics and can recondition the battery.
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agagneux
Club Member Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Many thanks, I will look into it. Can it be used to jump start the car?
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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This sounds like a bad case of cruelty to batteries! If you want a starting charger be prepared to spend a lot! Just connect via the cigar lighter socket to any cheap 'intelligent' (ie constant-voltage) charger such as this: This displays the voltage, current, and state of charge, and has a maximum output of 4 amps. I have three of these, which are permanently connected my cars and lawnmower when in their garage, and I get over 10 years from a battery. They are available on Ebay from £10 to £20 (shop around) and will do anything an expensive optimate or Cetek charger will do - except over-price you! All these small chargers are glorified laptop power units, with a few LEDs sprinkled over them. Alternatively, you could invest in an AGM type battery, which will retain its charge and capacity after a year or more of neglect.
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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agagneux
Club Member Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Thanks,
Here is my additional problem, I need a jumper that does not require to operate from the mains. The car is parked in an underground car park in an allocated space in an estate where there is no access to the mains. Furthermore I am not planning on removing the battery from the car, so my options are limited. AG |
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Norrie
Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4047 |
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I am sure there were other alternatives, the BMW charger I was given free by BMW warranty as it cheaper than them sending someone to jump start the car (ALPINA). The 7.0 CTEK was 25% discount and then another 10% from that at Halfords, it will last a life time.
My ALPINA has an AGM Battery and the car has loads of electronic components. However as Mike and I am sure others will suggest there are loads of cheap alternative. My solutions work great for me. |
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agagneux
Club Member Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Thanks so much,
I will pop in Halfords later today and check them out.
Best, AG |
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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In your position I would not bother buying a charger, and therefore having to remove the battery and take it home for charging, or buy a portable battery-on-wheels type of thing. Just buy the car an AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery and your problems should be over. AGM batteries are very popular amongst motorcyclists who leave the
machines standing idle all winter, and who like you do not have any mains
power in their garage. Have a look at the Hawker Batteries website - they are an American company manufacturing AGM batteries, but there is some very interesting technical reports on the site, concerning batteries which have been stagnant for a year of two, or been subjected to repeated deep discharges (which will kill most batteries) and yet had lost virtually no charge or capacity. Lots of companies make AGM batteries these days, as they are a 'must' for cars with auto stop/start systems. Edited by Mike Fishwick - 06 Mar 2019 at 1:09pm |
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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Norrie
Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4047 |
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Try Euro car parts for AGM batteries, if you want to PM me I often have a code for discounts. Got a battery for my E39 with 37% discount. However, there are alternatives.
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agagneux
Club Member Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Thanks all for your help.
I am going to order a new AGM battery and have the XP-10 jump starter on the way to be delivered tomorrow. That should cover all the bases for now.
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davebrindlee36m3
Club Member Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Status: Offline Points: 665 |
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Norrie
Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4047 |
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Dave, the guy PM me, which I accept you dont know. I told him just the same.
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