BMW X1 and battery conditioner

uknick

I've a CTEK battery conditioner with the cigarette lighter attachment, not the battery connectors.

I want to use it with a 2013 X1. I thought I could just plug it into the power socket in the boot, or at least one that doesn't need the ignition on to give it power, but BMW say it should be connected direct to the battery.

Suggestions?

debtdebt

Follow BMW's advice? They built the car after all.

jk0

I've always read that when you charge your battery, you should always disconnect one terminal. The reason given was that it may harm the electronic components in the voltage regulator.

I've no idea if that actually would happen, but I have no wish to try and find out. Therefore any time I want to charge the battery, I remove the earth lead, and clip directly to the battery. That's no hardship nowadays with quick connectors, is it?

My first couple of cars, you had to use a spanner!

facade

Buy a 12V cigarette lighter socket that has flying leads with crocodile clips on, and connect straight to the battery as BMW say.

They are about £4 on eBay.

Or cut the plug off yours and fit crocodile clips to the wires.

pappa_golf

jk0 wrote: »

I've always read that when you charge your battery, you should always disconnect one terminal. The reason given was that it may harm the electronic components in the voltage regulator.

I've no idea if that actually would happen, but I have no wish to try and find out. Therefore any time I want to charge the battery, I remove the earth lead, and clip directly to the battery. That's no hardship nowadays with quick connectors, is it?

My first couple of cars, you had to use a spanner!

bmw are giving generic replies because the socket in the boot may/will have a fuse and idiots in the past have tried using jump starters via the socket , I have never removed a battery lead , just taken care that thier are no sparks caused which may cause an explosion (as per american TV) , also removing a lead may annoy your ECU and in some cases require a radio code reset

I like many other bikers , use a ctex or optimate charger , they even sell the leads for them
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Optimate-Weatherproof-Eyelet-Lead-TM71-NEW/302309058979?epid=650991845&hash=item46630629a3:g:t28AAOSwnONZDgny

however clever people buy the plugs/sockets in bulk via ebay and make leads up

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-x-Pair-RC-Tamiya-7-2V-Large-Battery-Connector-Heat-Shrink-Car-Buggy-Truck-/261945367583?hash=item3cfd291c1f


in my case , one charger , 3 bikes , + I have wired my small air compressor with a plug so that I can take the compresser to each bike as needed

Iceweasel

uknick wrote: »

I've a CTEK battery conditioner with the cigarette lighter attachment, not the battery connectors.

I want to use it with a 2013 X1. I thought I could just plug it into the power socket in the boot, or at least one that doesn't need the ignition on to give it power, but BMW say it should be connected direct to the battery.

Suggestions?

I think BMW say to connect via the underbonnet points especially for that purpose.

Iceweasel

jk0 wrote: »

I've always read that when you charge your battery, you should always disconnect one terminal. The reason given was that it may harm the electronic components in the voltage regulator.

I've no idea if that actually would happen, but I have no wish to try and find out. Therefore any time I want to charge the battery, I remove the earth lead, and clip directly to the battery. That's no hardship nowadays with quick connectors, is it?

My first couple of cars, you had to use a spanner!

Every car doesn't come with 'quick connectors' nowadays - mine certainly doesn't and it's only 2 years old.

If it did it would give me the job of resetting clock, radio memories etc. etc.

DavidFx

uknick wrote: »

but BMW say it should be connected direct to the battery.

Suggestions?

debtdebt wrote: »

Follow BMW's advice? They built the car after all.

From the X1 Owners Manual page 255 - Only charge using the starting aid terminals, refer to page 259, in the engine compartment while the engine is switched off.

Edit ...Iceweasel beat me to it.

uknick

So, are BMW cars different to others with regard to using a battery conditioner?

I've been using it on another car through the cigarette lighter for years with no problem.

And, back in 2011 BMW were selling the conditioner for an X1 with a cigarette adaptor and no battery terminal connectors.

I'm still confused.

forgotmyname

uknick wrote: »

So, are BMW cars different to others with regard to using a battery conditioner?

I've been using it on another car through the cigarette lighter for years with no problem.

And, back in 2011 BMW were selling the conditioner for an X1 with a cigarette adaptor and no battery terminal connectors.

I'm still confused.

It will charge the battery but your losing efficiency due to the distance from the socket to the battery and through the fuses etc.
You will get a voltage drop, so the charger wont be seeing the correct voltage.