Winter trickle charger

joshmkb24 · 09-30-2020, 09:39 PM

Yeah this won't apply to those who live South of the Mason Dixon line haha. What trickle charger do you guys use or does it even matter? My z06 has 1 that was built into the system since the battery is located in the back. I was looking at a few on Amazon 20-40 bucks, but wasn't sure if that was the best option. If this is the wrong forum I apologize!

Davisca455 · 09-30-2020, 10:09 PM

This is what I use.
Wired into the jump start system under the hood.

MikeHawk7 · 09-30-2020, 10:23 PM

CTEK MXS 5.0, great charger/maintainer!

shimmy23 · 10-01-2020, 08:04 AM

Search button must be broken

Ximian · 10-01-2020, 09:32 AM

CTEK chargers are good, but specifically the "CTEK MUS 4.3 Polar" (the orange one) for cold weather use. The difference between the regular 4.3 and 4.3 Polar version is that for the latter, the plastic cords doesn't become firm and brittle as easily for below freezing temperatures.

At -10F or colder, the cords are going to feel stiff I wouldn't plan on moving them around such as bending them to fit in a corner.

https://smartercharger.com/pages/ctek-mus-4-3-polar

nrubenstein · 10-01-2020, 09:42 AM

I prefer to disconnect the battery for storage.

Why? Because trickle chargers fail. I have personally had one fail and boil a battery over. (Fortunately not in car.) They also occasionally catch on fire.

If you don't want to unplug the battery, I strongly recommend setting a reminder and just hooking up the trickle charger every few weeks rather than leaving it continuously connected.

smyles · 10-01-2020, 02:41 PM

Cheap and works just fine.

///M Power-Belgium · 10-02-2020, 04:42 AM

"CTEK"

lagunablue1 · 10-02-2020, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

I prefer to disconnect the battery for storage.

Why? Because trickle chargers fail. I have personally had one fail and boil a battery over. (Fortunately not in car.) They also occasionally catch on fire.

I always trickle charge my cars in winter storage, without issue. However, I'm planning to store the M3 in my condo this winter, where there is no outlet available.

Are there any downsides to just unplugging the battery and leaving the trunk popped open?

joshmkb24 · 10-02-2020, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

I prefer to disconnect the battery for storage.

Why? Because trickle chargers fail. I have personally had one fail and boil a battery over. (Fortunately not in car.) They also occasionally catch on fire.

If you don't want to unplug the battery, I strongly recommend setting a reminder and just hooking up the trickle charger every few weeks rather than leaving it continuously connected.

Oh man that would suck. I'd heard of them smoking or catching fire but didn't know they would actually boil the battery. I don't think I'd even considered that haha.

Thanks for the suggestions!

joshmkb24 · 10-17-2020, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHawk7

CTEK MXS 5.0, great charger/maintainer!

So I was looking at that on Amazon and for some reason it says it won't work with my 09. Is Amazon on crack or is there a difference in the years?

Frozen · 10-18-2020, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshmkb24

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeHawk7

CTEK MXS 5.0, great charger/maintainer!

So I was looking at that on Amazon and for some reason it says it won't work with my 09. Is Amazon on crack or is there a difference in the years?

That makes no sense

joshmkb24 · 10-19-2020, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozen

That makes no sense

Yeah, I don't get it either. I saw enough posts online about it to figure it worked fine. I'm guessing Amazon just does that if something isn't specifically designed for a car, but I have no idea. This is what came up though when I clicked on it

SkiFly01 · 10-22-2020, 11:19 AM

I've been using NOCO for years for multiple vehicles, lead/acid, AGM, Lithium. It does em all.

NOCO Genius G750 6V/12V .75 Amp Battery Charger and Maintainer

MikeHawk7 · 10-25-2020, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshmkb24

So I was looking at that on Amazon and for some reason it says it won't work with my 09. Is Amazon on crack or is there a difference in the years?

Crack.

tonylukes · 10-25-2020, 09:53 AM

I've been using a Battery Tender Plus that I have quick connect leads on the engine bay charging terminals. It's a quick 10 second process to lift the hood, connect the lead to these quick connects and lower the hood again. Between a very short commute to work & now working from home for a long time, it's been a great setup.

redline9001 · 10-25-2020, 10:26 AM

I use the bmw branded ctek and it has been great , I still have the original battery in my car.

SkiFly01 · 10-26-2020, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonylukes

I've been using a Battery Tender Plus that I have quick connect leads on the engine bay charging terminals. It's a quick 10 second process to lift the hood, connect the lead to these quick connects and lower the hood again. Between a very short commute to work & now working from home for a long time, it's been a great setup.

You could setup a small SAE connector that you can connect at the windshield cowl so you don't have to open the hood each time.

MikeYQM · 10-26-2020, 01:57 PM

Can anyone who has mounted a charger connector under the hood, with a permanent install using eye connectors, please share pics of your setup?

Davisca455 · 10-26-2020, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeYQM

Can anyone who has mounted a charger connector under the hood, with a permanent install using eye connectors, please share pics of your setup?

The plastic cover just pops straight off.
Super easy install.
I used short wire leads, so that when the zip tie breaks the connector still can't reach anything dangerous.

MikeYQM · 10-26-2020, 05:41 PM

Perfect, thanks!

nachob · 10-26-2020, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

"CTEK"

CTEK also. I have a similar to this one. I have a 7 year old BMW battery in my 1M and still runs strong I just put it on the CTEK charger. I haven't had any other batter last more than 4 years in the last 20 years. Maybe a coincidence but better really impressed. BMW branded trickle chargers are generally CTEK too.

09-30-2020, 09:39 PM	#1
joshmkb24 New Member 7 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Winter trickle charger Yeah this won't apply to those who live South of the Mason Dixon line haha. What trickle charger do you guys use or does it even matter? My z06 has 1 that was built into the system since the battery is located in the back. I was looking at a few on Amazon 20-40 bucks, but wasn't sure if that was the best option. If this is the wrong forum I apologize!
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09-30-2020, 10:09 PM	#2
Davisca455 Captain 2208 Rep 865 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Davis, California iTrader: (0)	This is what I use. Wired into the jump start system under the hood. Attached Images __________________ Chris, 2008 E92
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09-30-2020, 10:23 PM	#3
MikeHawk7 Private First Class 90 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 2013 M3: E92, ZCP, DCT Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2003 BMW 530i [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2016 BMW i3 REx [0.00]	CTEK MXS 5.0, great charger/maintainer! __________________ -Mike M. 2013 M3 [E92, Alpine White, ZCP, DCT] 2016 i3 REx [Tera World, Capparis White]
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10-01-2020, 08:04 AM	#4
shimmy23 F15 daddymobile 2350 Rep 3,510 Posts Drives: GS X5 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	Search button must be broken __________________ -brandon F15 Glacier Silver journal
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10-01-2020, 09:32 AM	#5
Ximian . 1919 Rep 1,889 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: MN iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00] 2021 BMW M3 [0.00]	CTEK chargers are good, but specifically the "CTEK MUS 4.3 Polar" (the orange one) for cold weather use. The difference between the regular 4.3 and 4.3 Polar version is that for the latter, the plastic cords doesn't become firm and brittle as easily for below freezing temperatures. At -10F or colder, the cords are going to feel stiff I wouldn't plan on moving them around such as bending them to fit in a corner. https://smartercharger.com/pages/ctek-mus-4-3-polar
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10-01-2020, 09:42 AM	#6
nrubenstein Captain 567 Rep 801 Posts Drives: E30 M3/E36 M3/E46 M3/E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (2)	I prefer to disconnect the battery for storage. Why? Because trickle chargers fail. I have personally had one fail and boil a battery over. (Fortunately not in car.) They also occasionally catch on fire. If you don't want to unplug the battery, I strongly recommend setting a reminder and just hooking up the trickle charger every few weeks rather than leaving it continuously connected. __________________ 2011.75 E90 M3 \| 2006 GMC Sierra LBZ \| 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT \| 1995 M3 S50B32 \| 1990 325is \| 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1996 911 Turbo \| 1989 325iX
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10-01-2020, 02:41 PM	#7
smyles Major 1023 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: '21 X5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Cheap and works just fine.
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10-02-2020, 04:42 AM	#8
///M Power-Belgium General 63391 Rep 24,680 Posts Drives: ///M3-E92-DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	"CTEK" Attached Images __________________ "MAX VERSTAPPEN" IS THE 2021+2022+2023 F1 WORLD CHAMPION - #UnLeashTheLion BPM DEV-Tune & DCT Software-Tune & Servotronic & coding ///Alpine HID Angeleyes ///Oem.exhaust mod.
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10-22-2020, 11:19 AM	#14
SkiFly01 Private First Class 102 Rep 142 Posts Drives: '11 M3 comp pkg Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	I've been using NOCO for years for multiple vehicles, lead/acid, AGM, Lithium. It does em all. NOCO Genius G750 6V/12V .75 Amp Battery Charger and Maintainer __________________ -Kai
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10-25-2020, 09:53 AM	#16
tonylukes Enlisted Member 52 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	I've been using a Battery Tender Plus that I have quick connect leads on the engine bay charging terminals. It's a quick 10 second process to lift the hood, connect the lead to these quick connects and lower the hood again. Between a very short commute to work & now working from home for a long time, it's been a great setup.
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10-25-2020, 10:26 AM	#17
redline9001 Captain 223 Rep 979 Posts Drives: E92 M3, F15 X5, G14 F150 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary, Canada iTrader: (0)	I use the bmw branded ctek and it has been great , I still have the original battery in my car. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| JEREZ BLACK \| EXTENDED BAMBOO NOVILLO \| EXECUTIVE PKG \| M-DRIVE \| EDC \| M-DCT MODS \| KW S/O \| HRE P40SC \| Akra Evo \|ESS Akra Tune \| ESS DCT tune \| BMC drop in \| StopTech Trophies \| TMS Pulley \| LUX V3 \| BE Bearings and BE ARP rod bolts
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10-26-2020, 01:57 PM	#19
MikeYQM Private First Class 80 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Moncton NB Canada iTrader: (0)	Can anyone who has mounted a charger connector under the hood, with a permanent install using eye connectors, please share pics of your setup? __________________ 2013 Fire Orange II E92 M3 ZCP Bimmerworld (Quad) Resonated X-Pipe, AFe Stage 2 CF Intake, Carbon Project CF Plenum, Epic Motorsports Race Tune, Rogue Engineering Power Pulleys, Continental Extreme Contact Sport
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10-26-2020, 05:41 PM	#21
MikeYQM Private First Class 80 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Moncton NB Canada iTrader: (0)	Perfect, thanks! __________________ 2013 Fire Orange II E92 M3 ZCP Bimmerworld (Quad) Resonated X-Pipe, AFe Stage 2 CF Intake, Carbon Project CF Plenum, Epic Motorsports Race Tune, Rogue Engineering Power Pulleys, Continental Extreme Contact Sport
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