[murmur]

Sorry if this has been asked before, we are getting our first snow and it looks like our 335 will be staying in the garage mostly (got a beater for the snow).

I used this https://www.amazon.com/BMW-Genuine-8...attery+charger for my E90 M3 in winters when the car was stored and it worked flawlessly.

Can I use the same trickle charger for my F30 as well, some folks recommend getting the one that has the options to select either AGM or Liquid etc battery. Guess the new model of the charger on BMWUSA is http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/16...nterId=4080801

Any thoughts ?? DO I have to get the new one or the old version OK.

[chiefneil]

Only way to be sure is call the manufacturer of your old charger and ask them if it works with AGM batteries.

FYI, no need to buy the BMW-branded version which I think is a rebranded Battery Tender brand. Any reputable brand that supports AGM batteries will work. I have a ctek, which I believe Porsche rebrands.

[Billfitz]

I use one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ul...ywords=charger

I permanently connected the ring connectors to the under hood charging posts, extending the wire enough to run the connector through the grille. In winter I seldom drive, so I keep the charger output cable plugged into the car all the time, and I don't have to open the hood to do it.

[murmur]

This is confusing !!! can any one tell me whats the difference between
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/16...LLIGATOR-CLIPS

versus
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/46...ATTERY-CHARGER

and which one should I get, if I can't use the one that I used for my E90M3 as mentioned in my original post. As far as I can tell the E90M3 also had the AGM type battery.

[badbread]

Save yourself some money and get a non BMW branded charger.

I also use a NOCO charger but I opt'd for the NOCO G7200 because it will work as a "supply" as well, should my coding sessions ever go wrong.

If you don't have a T50 torx I have an article on my blog on hardwiring a maintainer here

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by murmur

This is confusing !!! can any one tell me whats the difference between
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/16...LLIGATOR-CLIPS
versus
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/46...ATTERY-CHARGER

One has a larger capacity, and a commensurately larger price tag.

and which one should I get

Neither.

Can I use the same trickle charger for my F30 as well, some folks recommend getting the one that has the options to select either AGM or Liquid etc battery.

It's 'Lithium Ion'. Do you have an F80 M3 or F82/F83 M4? If not you don't have a lithium ion battery.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by murmur

This is confusing !!! can any one tell me whats the difference between
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/16...LLIGATOR-CLIPS

versus
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/46...ATTERY-CHARGER

and which one should I get, if I can't use the one that I used for my E90M3 as mentioned in my original post. As far as I can tell the E90M3 also had the AGM type battery.

If BMW can't bother to provide detailed technical information on their rebranded chargers, why should you bother to buy one from them?

Go look at ctek, noco, deltran, etc on Amazon where all the products have detailed specs and buy one of those.

Here's the one I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by badbread

Save yourself some money and get a non BMW branded charger.

I also use a NOCO charger but I opt'd for the NOCO G7200 because it will work as a "supply" as well, should my coding sessions ever go wrong.

If you don't have a T50 torx I have an article on my blog on hardwiring a maintainer here

It only supplies 13.6V at 5 amps though. Not nearly enough to flash the firmware, but probably enough just to code.

[badbread]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

It only supplies 13.6V at 5 amps though. Not nearly enough to flash the firmware, but probably enough just to code.

Really? That's not enough? What kind of current is the car pulling during a flash? I can't imagine the car pulling that much juice just writing a firmware file.

Mind educating me?

Thanks!

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by badbread

Really? That's not enough? What kind of current is the car pulling during a flash? I can't imagine the car pulling that much juice just writing a firmware file.

Mind educating me?

Thanks!

Based on what I've read, people have gotten by with various amounts, but I believe the voltage has to be in the 14.0-14.9 range. The car may use up to 70 amps at that voltage.

[2JPW]

CTek for me on the BMW and TVR. Here in the UK the BMW conditioner is a rebranded CTek unit anyhow.

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

If BMW can't bother to provide detailed technical information on their rebranded chargers, why should you bother to buy one from them?

Go look at ctek, noco, deltran, etc on Amazon where all the products have detailed specs and buy one of those.

Here's the one I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

+++ for the Ctek - I use it on both my 2016 428i and our 2001 X5 ( which sits in the garage until needed for hauling stuff). No problems with charging both cars.

[ToniCipriani]

Originally Posted by badbread

Save yourself some money and get a non BMW branded charger.

I also use a NOCO charger but I opt'd for the NOCO G7200 because it will work as a "supply" as well, should my coding sessions ever go wrong.

If you don't have a T50 torx I have an article on my blog on hardwiring a maintainer here

Do I need the XL 3/8 eyelet or the standard one that came with the charger will do? I have the G1100.

[badbread]

The standard one worked for me, there are multiple points you can connect it to.

[Don N.]

I use the standard one as well.

[gc916]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

If BMW can't bother to provide detailed technical information on their rebranded chargers, why should you bother to buy one from them?

Go look at ctek, noco, deltran, etc on Amazon where all the products have detailed specs and buy one of those.

Here's the one I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have ordered the CTEK MUS 4.3 charger, and would like to attach a pigtail instead of using clamps. I have three questions:

• What size pigtail do I need from CTEK (there are 3 versions: M3, M6, M10)?
• Can the terminal posts in the engine bay be removed with a Torx wrench so the eyelets can be placed on the posts?
• I read a message somewhere warning of sparks from the positive terminal post when attaching the pigtail eyelet. Is that a serious issue? I've jump started cars before, but never saw sparks created unless I was attaching jumper cables between two vehicles