How do I hook up my Battery Tender Plus?

[RoundTwo]

Simply question here. I've never had to tinker with the battery on my M before, and I just bought a battery tender. Anyone have a pic of the connection or able to walk me through the hook up?

[THE TECH]

Open hood
Connect red clip to power bar on passenger side
Connect black clip to ground bar on passenger side

[RoundTwo]

Thanks Tech, is it best to do it under the hood as opposed to straight off the battery in the trunk? I've heard both ways...

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Lights407

Thanks Tech, is it best to do it under the hood as opposed to straight off the battery in the trunk? I've heard both ways...

You can do either way but with how the battery is connected in the truck, some of the clips may or may not fit when trying to connect directly to the battery.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Lights407

Thanks Tech, is it best to do it under the hood as opposed to straight off the battery in the trunk? I've heard both ways...

You can do it both ways, but I would suggest connecting it directly to the battery.

[Lute__]

Sorry to bump an old thread. I have the BMW Advance Charger battery tender with the alligator clips. I'd like to know if there is any downside to hooking it up to the battery in the trunk as opposed to terminals under the hood.

It would make my life easier to gain access through the trunk. Any comments are appreciated.

[alee0729]

I do mine in the trunk directly connected to the battery. Makes it much easier to manage, and there is no downside.

[Lute__]

Originally Posted by alee0729

I do mine in the trunk directly connected to the battery. Makes it much easier to manage, and there is no downside.

Thanks.

Did you have to loosen any plugs/screws/bolts off the battery terminals to connect with the alligator clips or are you able to use them as is. I haven't had a chance to root around yet and see for myself.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Corbis

Thanks.

Did you have to loosen any plugs/screws/bolts off the battery terminals to connect with the alligator clips or are you able to use them as is. I haven't had a chance to root around yet and see for myself.

The perfect solution is here..and it takes not more than 10 seconds...yes again ...10 seconds !!! to connect my battery tender,see # 26 with pics ! >>>http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=872785&page=2

[Lute__]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

The perfect solution is here..and it takes not more than 10 seconds...yes again ...10 seconds !!! to connect my battery tender,see # 26 with pics ! >>>http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=872785&page=2

The pics are helpful. I am using alligator clips. So it appears the ground is easy to clip to, the positive may be a bit more difficult. I think I maybe able to clip to the positive under the flap marked +

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Corbis

The pics are helpful. I am using alligator clips. So it appears the ground is easy to clip to, the positive may be a bit more difficult. I think I maybe able to clip to the positive under the flap marked +

The best thing is O rings connected to + and - pole of your battery,they stay there (permanent !!!) and come together in one central connector...so one click and my battery tender is charging...so easy...so quick !
I had also alligator clips with the kit of my CTEK battery charger...i throw them in the trash can !!!
So here a pic of the central connector that stay's permanent in my trunk and is connected with O rings to + and - pole of my battery...so one click...and charge

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by Corbis

The pics are helpful. I am using alligator clips. So it appears the ground is easy to clip to, the positive may be a bit more difficult. I think I maybe able to clip to the positive under the flap marked +

I swung by a dealership and they did it for free. The negative was easy to do, but the positive I didn't have the right tools to pop the terminal off so I could get the ring on.

[E30 Racer]

Only issue I have with attaching the charger to the battery is that the cord gets pinched when you close the trunk. Repeated openings/closing can damage the charger cord (assuming you want to keep the trunk closed, which I do). Using the posts in the engine bay avoids this if you just latch, but do not fully close, the hood.

[gazosnic]

Is a battery tender the right method to use when coding to not drain the battery or is it better to have a full charger hooked up?

If i code...it may be 20-30mins at a time w the battery on.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by gazosnic

Is a battery tender the right method to use when coding to not drain the battery or is it better to have a full charger hooked up?

If i code...it may be 20-30mins at a time w the battery on.

When your battery is on a low level...think first !
1-Charge first the battery
2-Than do your coding

[dparm]

Just run the engine while coding. No battery issues then. That's what Alex @ Alpine does.

[jra85]

I recently started working from home so I no longer drive my car daily, and will be getting a tender for it. For those who have the tender connected to the battery in the trunk, are you able to close the trunk lid? If not, does the overhead light in the trunk turn off after a period of time if the lid is left slightly open/resting on the power cable coming out? Thanks!

[meko]

Originally Posted by E30 Racer

Only issue I have with attaching the charger to the battery is that the cord gets pinched when you close the trunk. Repeated openings/closing can damage the charger cord (assuming you want to keep the trunk closed, which I do). Using the posts in the engine bay avoids this if you just latch, but do not fully close, the hood.

With your finger push the trunk latch in so the trunk thinks its closed. You can use a screwdriver has well. Gently lower trunk and the wire will not get crimped. Since you "engaged" the trunk lock the trunk light will be out and no issues. When you disconnect, simply hit the trunk release button to unlock trunk and close normally. Hope that makes sense.