Battery Discharge

f34guy · 10-22-2020, 06:09 PM

Soooo a couple of weeks ago I had my car in the shop for an urelated issue. (It was in the body shop) and when I got the car back I see a message in the windshield, "battery discharged while (?)". Okay cool so I let it idle for a while, make a couple stops and headed to work. When I left work and started the car I noticed it turned over rather slowly. Couple days go by and one morning it was more chilly outside than usual and the car wouldn't start at all......
Eventually after pressing the start button it went ahead and started I then received another message in the windshield. "Higher or more battery discharge". Again I let the vehicle idle for a while and drove around for a period of time to let the car charge. I believe it may be time for a battery for my horse. With it being a '14 year model it was sold in 2013 and 7 years is a while to go without a battery. Keep in mind I do have sub and amp installed, probably 1000 rms. Any suggestions? All advice is appreciated.

Billfitz · 10-22-2020, 08:54 PM

Put the battery on a charger overnight. If it has a problem the next morning it's time to get a new battery. Do not take it to a dealer, they be thieves. The battery will have to be registered, so search around for a retailer that will do that for you. Dealers will charge you up to $150 to register a battery, a process that requires a very basic OBD tool and a whopping five minutes, but like I said, they be thieves.

R BMW · 10-23-2020, 10:28 AM

Get your self a CTEC battery charger and every couple months put it on overnight. It will keep your battery topped off and I bet it will last a few more years.
Just letting the car idle will not charge it enough.

Billfitz · 10-23-2020, 10:57 AM

I plug in a battery maintainer every night when the temperature drops well below freezing, but considering the OP is in Mississippi he doesn't have to deal with that. He'd benefit from using a maintainer if his driving habits are in town only for short trips, and if that's the case using the maintainer should be done weekly.

f34guy · 10-24-2020, 04:02 PM

So should I invest in a battery charger or battery maintainer. Or are they the same thing

Billfitz · 10-24-2020, 04:35 PM

A charger is usually rated at six amperes or more, being intended to take batteries from fully discharged to a full charge in a day or less. A maintainer is one to two amperes, being intended to top off a battery that's partially discharged, and to power a car when the car isn't running, so the battery won't be discharged. That's because modern cars with their electronics are never totally 'off'. I have one of these, which runs as a maintainer at two amps or as a charger at eight amps, on sale at a very good price today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

f34guy · 10-25-2020, 11:26 AM

Okay so I need to plug it up to the battery in the trunk or up under the hood. In the trunk I'm assuming

f34guy · 10-25-2020, 11:38 AM

Bill fits it happened again last night. Only this time, it damn near didn't want to crank at all..... started throwing all kinds of warnings; rear spoiler; drivetrain malfunction; it was really bad. Eventually got her to turn over and she was whistling..... made it home turned her off and cranked her again with not problem. Help me out my brother

Billfitz · 10-25-2020, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f34guy

Okay so I need to plug it up to the battery in the trunk or up under the hood. In the trunk I'm assuming

Connect wire to the charging posts, with an in line fuse as close as possible to the positive post. You can unscrew the posts to fit U connectors beneath them.
https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/...gative lug.jpg
https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/...sitive lug.jpg
Run the wire to the lower grille, put a quick connector there, zip tie the connector to the grille. Plug the connector from the charger in there.
Use split loom plastic tubing to wrap the wire (first photo), incorporating as much of the existing wiring as well to protect it.

Quote:

Bill fits it happened again last night. Only this time, it damn near didn't want to crank at all..... started throwing all kinds of warnings; rear spoiler; drivetrain malfunction; it was really bad. Eventually got her to turn over and she was whistling..... made it home turned her off and cranked her again with not problem. Help me out my brother

Either the battery isn't holding a charge or something is draining it when the engine is off. The way to see if it's the latter is to check the battery voltage when you park it for the night, then disconnect the negative battery terminal. The next morning re-connect the battery, check the voltage before starting the car. If the voltage goes down by more than a volt overnight the battery is toast. If not do a voltage test at night and the next morning, leaving the battery hooked up. If it's way down this time something major isn't shutting down when the car isn't running.

washufiddyfo · 10-27-2020, 10:00 AM

Billfitz I'm curious about why you don't use the cigarette/DC accessory plug with your unit. Is it just to avoid constantly shutting the door on the cord since you're using it all the time? Or were you concerned about the 8 amps flowing back on that circuit?

f34guy It's very possible you're still on the original battery. My car was a 14 model originally sold in Dec 2013, and the original battery is still hanging in there, but with a short commute I do have to top it off periodically, esp when it's cold.

Billfitz · 10-27-2020, 11:22 AM

Quote:

I'm curious about why you don't use the cigarette/DC accessory plug with your unit.

Plugging the charger lead into a connector on the lower grill is far more convenient. My charger is hanging on my garage wall, always plugged in to the AC outlet, with a long enough cord to reach the car connector. I have the car backed into my garage, so it's very obvious when it's plugged in. That way I won't suffer a brain fart and drive off with it still connected. It couldn't be any easier to deal with.

f34guy · 11-06-2020, 11:56 PM

Okay so I've purchased a charger, can I connect it under the hood or do I have to charge it through the trunk? And what mode should I charge it in under the hood? AGM or Standard? If I need to charge it from the trunk what mode AGM or Standard?

3-GT · 11-07-2020, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f34guy

Okay so I've purchased a charger, can I connect it under the hood or do I have to charge it through the trunk? And what mode should I charge it in under the hood? AGM or Standard? If I need to charge it from the trunk what mode AGM or Standard?

It says in the manual to connect in the engine compartment.

As for the mode, I'd guess AGM mode, but not 100% sure.

Billfitz · 11-07-2020, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f34guy

Okay so I've purchased a charger, can I connect it under the hood or do I have to charge it through the trunk?

Which part of my detailed instructions do you not understand?

washufiddyfo · 11-13-2020, 10:49 AM

It's an AGM battery, so you would choose that regardless of where you hooked it up. Hood is easiest, even on a one-off charge without running the quick connect, I hook the alligator clip up to the positive post under the red cap, and if you don't want to pull that cover to find the negative lug, just clip the black one onto a nearby bolt (such as one of the three suspension bolts). Turns out the cig adapter is only active for a short time until the car goes to sleep.

Billfitz · 11-13-2020, 11:17 AM

The negative lug under the hood is in plain sight.
https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/...tive%20lug.jpg

washufiddyfo · 11-16-2020, 01:19 AM

Indeed, the one you referenced is exposed a few feet up the frame. However depending on the charger, those of us using alligator clips may find the leads are not long enough to reach that post.

Billfitz · 11-16-2020, 07:12 AM

Alligator clips are adequate if you rarely use a charger. If you use one on a regular basis not so much.

10-22-2020, 06:09 PM	#1
f34guy Private 10 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Bmw 328i xDrive GT Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Mississippi iTrader: (0)	Battery Discharge Soooo a couple of weeks ago I had my car in the shop for an urelated issue. (It was in the body shop) and when I got the car back I see a message in the windshield, "battery discharged while (?)". Okay cool so I let it idle for a while, make a couple stops and headed to work. When I left work and started the car I noticed it turned over rather slowly. Couple days go by and one morning it was more chilly outside than usual and the car wouldn't start at all...... Eventually after pressing the start button it went ahead and started I then received another message in the windshield. "Higher or more battery discharge". Again I let the vehicle idle for a while and drove around for a period of time to let the car charge. I believe it may be time for a battery for my horse. With it being a '14 year model it was sold in 2013 and 7 years is a while to go without a battery. Keep in mind I do have sub and amp installed, probably 1000 rms. Any suggestions? All advice is appreciated.
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10-22-2020, 08:54 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8216 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Put the battery on a charger overnight. If it has a problem the next morning it's time to get a new battery. Do not take it to a dealer, they be thieves. The battery will have to be registered, so search around for a retailer that will do that for you. Dealers will charge you up to $150 to register a battery, a process that requires a very basic OBD tool and a whopping five minutes, but like I said, they be thieves.
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10-23-2020, 10:28 AM	#3
R BMW Second Lieutenant 948 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 2014 328Xi GT, 2020 X3 MC Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 M Comp [0.00] 2014 328Xi GT [10.00]	Get your self a CTEC battery charger and every couple months put it on overnight. It will keep your battery topped off and I bet it will last a few more years. Just letting the car idle will not charge it enough.
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10-23-2020, 10:57 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8216 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I plug in a battery maintainer every night when the temperature drops well below freezing, but considering the OP is in Mississippi he doesn't have to deal with that. He'd benefit from using a maintainer if his driving habits are in town only for short trips, and if that's the case using the maintainer should be done weekly.
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10-24-2020, 04:02 PM	#5
f34guy Private 10 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Bmw 328i xDrive GT Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Mississippi iTrader: (0)	So should I invest in a battery charger or battery maintainer. Or are they the same thing
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10-24-2020, 04:35 PM	#6
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8216 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	A charger is usually rated at six amperes or more, being intended to take batteries from fully discharged to a full charge in a day or less. A maintainer is one to two amperes, being intended to top off a battery that's partially discharged, and to power a car when the car isn't running, so the battery won't be discharged. That's because modern cars with their electronics are never totally 'off'. I have one of these, which runs as a maintainer at two amps or as a charger at eight amps, on sale at a very good price today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1
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10-25-2020, 11:26 AM	#7
f34guy Private 10 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Bmw 328i xDrive GT Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Mississippi iTrader: (0)	Okay so I need to plug it up to the battery in the trunk or up under the hood. In the trunk I'm assuming
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10-25-2020, 11:38 AM	#8
f34guy Private 10 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Bmw 328i xDrive GT Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Mississippi iTrader: (0)	Bill fits it happened again last night. Only this time, it damn near didn't want to crank at all..... started throwing all kinds of warnings; rear spoiler; drivetrain malfunction; it was really bad. Eventually got her to turn over and she was whistling..... made it home turned her off and cranked her again with not problem. Help me out my brother
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10-27-2020, 10:00 AM	#10
washufiddyfo Private 19 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2018 340GT x-Drive Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: MO iTrader: (0)	Billfitz I'm curious about why you don't use the cigarette/DC accessory plug with your unit. Is it just to avoid constantly shutting the door on the cord since you're using it all the time? Or were you concerned about the 8 amps flowing back on that circuit? f34guy It's very possible you're still on the original battery. My car was a 14 model originally sold in Dec 2013, and the original battery is still hanging in there, but with a short commute I do have to top it off periodically, esp when it's cold.
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11-06-2020, 11:56 PM	#12
f34guy Private 10 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Bmw 328i xDrive GT Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Mississippi iTrader: (0)	Okay so I've purchased a charger, can I connect it under the hood or do I have to charge it through the trunk? And what mode should I charge it in under the hood? AGM or Standard? If I need to charge it from the trunk what mode AGM or Standard?
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11-13-2020, 10:49 AM	#15
washufiddyfo Private 19 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2018 340GT x-Drive Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: MO iTrader: (0)	It's an AGM battery, so you would choose that regardless of where you hooked it up. Hood is easiest, even on a one-off charge without running the quick connect, I hook the alligator clip up to the positive post under the red cap, and if you don't want to pull that cover to find the negative lug, just clip the black one onto a nearby bolt (such as one of the three suspension bolts). Turns out the cig adapter is only active for a short time until the car goes to sleep.
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11-13-2020, 11:17 AM	#16
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8216 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The negative lug under the hood is in plain sight. https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/...tive%20lug.jpg
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11-16-2020, 01:19 AM	#17
washufiddyfo Private 19 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2018 340GT x-Drive Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: MO iTrader: (0)	Indeed, the one you referenced is exposed a few feet up the frame. However depending on the charger, those of us using alligator clips may find the leads are not long enough to reach that post.
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11-16-2020, 07:12 AM	#18
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8216 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Alligator clips are adequate if you rarely use a charger. If you use one on a regular basis not so much.
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