[Harryg]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Not exactly.

Lithium is a different technology, that doesn't mean it is better in all circumstances. It's main party piece is high output for a given weight, I.e energy density, which means a smaller battery for a given energy requirement = weight saving for a performance car. They weigh less than half that of a lead acid unit.

Actually, I'd be more worried about a Lithium battery. If voltage drops below a particular value, the battery is destroyed. Lithium batteries often have a condition checker which will cut off any drain when it gets to a certain safe battery level to stop further drain, but who knows if BMW lithium's have this feature?

If I had an M car with lithium battery, I'd definitely get a Lithium C-Tek charger for it. It must be the Lithium version. Or drive the long route to the supermarket.

Sound advice

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Thanks, I may just do that - although as said earlier I cant get the car in the garage so will it be ok connected up outside?

Running a cable into an otherwise locked car is not easy on modern vehicles. I'm not a fan of shutting the boot on the cable(battery in boot). But provided you can do this, no harm in charging outside with a closed car. There are no gasses discharged when charging lithium.

There should also be a positive post under the bonnet you might find easier to access. Of course the whole chassis is negative ground for neg connection.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Thanks, I may just do that - although as said earlier I cant get the car in the garage so will it be ok connected up outside?

Buying a dedicated charger will probably be cheaper than the cost of the fuel that the M5 would drink on it's extended run to the shops

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Buying a dedicated charger will probably be cheaper than the cost of the fuel that the M5 would drink on it's extended run to the shops

I filled up at 111.9 at the weekend (whilst on my necessary trip to the supermarket) so suddenly the fuel consumption doesnt seem an issue - especially as it is barely moving....

Now a grand for a battery has got me worried (must do more homework before buying a car in future!)

[KTE]

Two 'value for money' candidates that run well in tandem with AGM batteries:

NOCO G3500 3.5A - £50 or cheaper on eBay
NOCO Genius 5A(newer version) - £65 @ Halfords/eBay.

Think it's just the charge rate between them, few mentions on M3/4 owner forums for the G3500 so may settle with that my self.

Will read into it a bit further, car survived well last summer over 46 days when in LA so probably could ride this out, but @ £50-£65 for peace of mind and avoidance of a battery replacement/coding worries will just grab one.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

I filled up at 111.9 at the weekend (whilst on my necessary trip to the supermarket) so suddenly the fuel consumption doesnt seem an issue - especially as it is barely moving....

Now a grand for a battery has got me worried (must do more homework before buying a car in future!)

If you only keep the car around 3 years hopefully you won’t need to replace it

During lockdown just follow your mechanics advice .. long way round to supermarket

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by KTE

Two 'value for money' candidates that run well in tandem with AGM batteries:

NOCO G3500 3.5A - £50 or cheaper on eBay
NOCO Genius 5A(newer version) - £65 @ Halfords/eBay.

Think it's just the charge rate between them, few mentions on M3/4 owner forums for the G3500 so may settle with that my self.

Will read into it a bit further, car survived well last summer over 46 days weeks when in LA so probably could ride this out, but @ £50-£65 for peace of mind and avoidance of a battery replacement/coding worries will just grab one.

Yep, I bought the Genius 5 last week. It restored the Auris battery from sub 25% in a matter of hours and had been maintaining it since (it wakes up once a day to check/charge iirc) and has the oomph to deal with the Disco battery too. Simple little thing that seems to have all the features of the marginally more expensive ctek.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Neighbours G20 330e was playing up today, reckon it's cause she's just been running about on sole electric and not charging the 12v battery - it started shutting down systems etc. Maybe Tengocity can shed some light on this? Same happened to you yet?

[Scoobyd]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Running a cable into an otherwise locked car is not easy on modern vehicles. I'm not a fan of shutting the boot on the cable(battery in boot). But provided you can do this, no harm in charging outside with a closed car. There are no gasses discharged when charging lithium.

There should also be a positive post under the bonnet you might find easier to access. Of course the whole chassis is negative ground for neg connection.

Agree. Mine's connected outside currently. Have it connected to the positive charge nut under the bonnet with a sponge on top of the cable to stop the weight of the bonnet cutting through it!

[NISFAN]

This you isleaiw

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

This you isleaiw

Nope - but I do head on that stretch of M1 very often!

Groceries are definitely cheaper up north...

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by EvilDrPorkChop

Neighbours G20 330e was playing up today, reckon it's cause she's just been running about on sole electric and not charging the 12v battery - it started shutting down systems etc. Maybe Tengocity can shed some light on this? Same happened to you yet?

I'm not sure that makes any sense to me. The 12v battery on BMW hybrids is topped up from the high voltage system, so it should always be fully charged. I expect to avoid this exact type of situation.
They have designed them to be fine if engine isn't used for a long time, for example the petrol tank is pressurised to stop the fuel going off if not used for along time.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I'm not sure that makes any sense to me. The 12v battery on BMW hybrids is topped up from the high voltage system, so it should always be fully charged. I expect to avoid this exact type of situation.
They have designed them to be fine if engine isn't used for a long time, for example the petrol tank is pressurised to stop the fuel going off if not used for along time.

It did all point to a flat 12v battery (Windows wouldn't go down, mirrors wouldn't fold out) maybe it was just a blip. But after a run with the petrol engine all appears fine now.

Don't think it's been run on petrol for 3 week.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by EvilDrPorkChop

It did all point to a flat 12v battery (Windows wouldn't go down, mirrors wouldn't fold out) maybe it was just a blip. But after a run with the petrol engine all appears fine now.

Don't think it's been run on petrol for 3 week.

Very odd. I don't think our one has used it's engine in almost 4 weeks now, and no problems thus far.

[MashinBenzin]

This is Land Rover's official advice in an email I received today



To build up sufficient charge in the battery, it is recommended that you turn on your vehicle once every seven days. In the first instance, start your car for a 30-minute period, with the heat in the cabin set to 22 degrees. Repeat this process for 15 minutes, once every seven days in the weeks thereafter, to ensure the battery is maintained.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

This is Land Rover's official advice in an email I received today



To build up sufficient charge in the battery, it is recommended that you turn on your vehicle once every seven days. In the first instance, start your car for a 30-minute period, with the heat in the cabin set to 22 degrees. Repeat this process for 15 minutes, once every seven days in the weeks thereafter, to ensure the battery is maintained.

Does the heater go up to 22 degrees?? Or is that JLR speak to stop it overheating....

[jimbobiggens]

It's been my experience that a car's electrical system is not spinning fast enough to charge the battery at idle. The RPM's have to be higher to allow the alternator to generate properly. Ever notice how your headlights brighten up when you blip the throttle? That's telling you your battery is low and the alternator can't produce enough at idle to run the car and charge the battery at the same time.
A trickle charger is the way to go if the car is to be stored.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

This is Land Rover's official advice in an email I received today



To build up sufficient charge in the battery, it is recommended that you turn on your vehicle once every seven days. In the first instance, start your car for a 30-minute period, with the heat in the cabin set to 22 degrees. Repeat this process for 15 minutes, once every seven days in the weeks thereafter, to ensure the battery is maintained.

That's interesting advice from LR, MB, and not what I would have expected to hear, tbh. I always remember a bloke from the AA telling me years ago never to idle the car as it just puts a strain on the battery starting it in the first place and then not driving it doesn't do the engine a lot of good either.
I think the consensus on here is that a smart battery charger is the answer - which you've got anyway, I believe?

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

That's interesting advice from LR, MB, and not what I would have expected to hear, tbh. I always remember a bloke from the AA telling me years ago never to idle the car as it just puts a strain on the battery starting it in the first place and then not driving it doesn't do the engine a lot of good either.
I think the consensus on here is that a smart battery charger is the answer - which you've got anyway, I believe?

I thought it was odd advice too, counter to everything I understood. I guess they know that this works though, and something in the specific temperature setting makes a difference.

I will be sticking to the smart charger! Must get the disco connected up at some point.

[Hooded]

Here you go Gents ..Scotty will help you look after your cars during lockdown ..

[Abzynthe]

I have a charger that says up to a 2 litre, but I have a 3 litre. Will it be ok to use?

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

I have a charger that says up to a 2 litre, but I have a 3 litre. Will it be ok to use?

Charger, or jump starter ?

I'm not aware that chargers are sold on the basis of engine size. Battery capacity and type (i.e. AGM), yes, but not engine size.