BMW BATTERY MAINTAINER?

[puddinboo]

has anyone tried this battery maintainer or would even use it. I just don`t like the idea of using the dc socket in vehicle. what everyones elses opinion on this.
BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Maintenance Battery - 82110026663 - Battery Charger - ES#194684

[dkl]

That is the "older" version that BMW sell and is made by Battery Tender. The newer version is made by CTEK.

I've been using the CTEK charger on my cars for over 6 years now, both through the "jump" terminal under the hood as well as various DC sockets without issue.

What's wrong with using the DC socket in the vehicle? These battery maintainers are very low amperage...usually no more than 3A to 5A, way below what the socket is rated for.

[motordavid]

One can buy that exact model, minus the logo, for ~%25 less on the net:
Battery Tender Plus...
Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger: Automotive

I have used my pair for a decade+ on the old one, and several years on my newer version.

I use the alligator clips on the underhood lugs.

Some posters here rave about the Ctek charging unit, of which I have heard/read nothing but good things about, too.

Skip the logo version from the dlr, and use the under hood lugs vs the cigar light socket, imo.
GL, mD

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by puddinboo

has anyone tried this battery maintainer or would even use it. I just don`t like the idea of using the dc socket in vehicle. what everyones elses opinion on this.
BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Maintenance Battery - 82110026663 - Battery Charger - ES#194684

Short answer: Just drive it.

....I wouldn't worry about needing that unless you park the X for extended periods. Replace the battery every 4 years and make sure your alternator is charging what it should and you'll be fine. I've left the X parked for 3-4 weeks on numerous occasions without incident.

[puddinboo]

I am planning on parking it until sept . but I was thinking more in the winter when it goes below -30c when I was having issues starting the X this pass winter. I just thought because of the battery being in the back it was a long run with the wiring to starter causing the problem.( by the way I have no garage).
this charger only draws 1.5amps.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by puddinboo

I am planning on parking it until sept . but I was thinking more in the winter when it goes below -30c when I was having issues starting the X this pass winter. I just thought because of the battery being in the back it was a long run with the wiring to starter causing the problem.( by the way I have no garage).
this charger only draws 1.5amps.

No Garage???

Two Words

Solar Charger

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by puddinboo

I am planning on parking it until sept . but I was thinking more in the winter when it goes below -30c when I was having issues starting the X this pass winter. I just thought because of the battery being in the back it was a long run with the wiring to starter causing the problem.( by the way I have no garage).
this charger only draws 1.5amps.

I have parked my '01 3.0 for 5+ months in an unheated garage, (maybe -10 degs F on occasion), every other year for the past 9 years.

I use my old Batt Tender Plus, hooked through a mechanical appliance timer to come on a couple times a week for 12+ hrs. I have it connected to the under hood batt lugs.

Every other Spring, after sitting for 5+ months, it has started on the first turn.

If you don't have a garage, with elec receptacle, all bets are off...if you do, storing a car for a long time is not nuclear engineering. I do it to one of my cars, (Vette or X5), and all 3 m'cycles, every winter with no ill effects simply using 'standard storing methods' and common sense.
GL, mD

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I have parked my '01 3.0 for 5+ months in an unheated garage, (maybe -10 degs F on occasion), every other year for the past 9 years.

I use my old Batt Tender Plus, hooked through a mechanical appliance timer to come on a couple times a week for 12+ hrs. I have it connected to the under hood batt lugs.

Every other Spring, after sitting for 5+ months, it has started on the first turn.

If you don't have a garage, with elec receptacle, all bets are off...if you do, storing a car for a long time is not nuclear engineering. I do it to one of my cars, (Vette or X5), and all 3 m'cycles, every winter with no ill effects simply using 'standard storing methods' and common sense.
GL, mD

I'm with mD, unless you are storing the car for months at a time you shouldn't need a tender, considering that your battery/alternator is in good shape and you don't have parasitic draw making the voltage very low at startup.

Try the regular gas thing like X5SND said, I don't have the cold snap issues he does when comparing Jersey to Manitoba, but if he says it works better in the extreme temps he sees, I believe him. In Jersey I can run 93 year round and its fine, even with the frigid winter we saw this year with temps in single digits fairly regularly.


But other than that the only vehicle in my garage that stays on a Battery Tender Junior (plug in receptacle version) with ring terminals affixed to the battery is my '11 Triumph Thunderbird Storm, all my m'cycles have always been hooked up to a tender when done riding and while storing throughout the winter, they start up much easier and the battery life is increased significantly.

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by puddinboo

I am planning on parking it until sept . but I was thinking more in the winter when it goes below -30c when I was having issues starting the X this pass winter. I just thought because of the battery being in the back it was a long run with the wiring to starter causing the problem.( by the way I have no garage).
this charger only draws 1.5amps.

Can you explain the bold portion?

Block heater (Yes, I know BMW doesn't recommend them), Zero (Arctic) weight oil, and a solid battery does wonders in those kinds of temps. Routine -30*C temps is just one of the way this place earns its "WinterPeg" nickname....

While this last point is more of a "provisional". Try using mid or regular grade fuel in the X during those extreme cold snaps. It works for some, not for others. I can say, however, that in my case, in the extreme cold here (-30c which felt like -40..or colder) the X fires quicker with regular grade fuel, than it did when I ran premium. Running shell's V-power (yeah, the branded gas discussion that's been hashed to death....But I use shell in all my rides) in those cold months caused the X to stumble for a second or 2 after it fired. The local dealer here even had a bulletin on the service counter about using lower grade fuels as they get inundated with cold start issues during cold snaps that usually boil down to shit just being too friggin cold here.

[puddinboo]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Can you explain the bold portion?

Block heater (Yes, I know BMW doesn't recommend them), Zero (Arctic) weight oil, and a solid battery does wonders in those kinds of temps. Routine -30*C temps is just one of the way this place earns its "WinterPeg" nickname....

While this last point is more of a "provisional". Try using mid or regular grade fuel in the X during those extreme cold snaps. It works for some, not for others. I can say, however, that in my case, in the extreme cold here (-30c which felt like -40..or colder) the X fires quicker with regular grade fuel, than it did when I ran premium. Running shell's V-power (yeah, the branded gas discussion that's been hashed to death....But I use shell in all my rides) in those cold months caused the X to stumble for a second or 2 after it fired. The local dealer here even had a bulletin on the service counter about using lower grade fuels as they get inundated with cold start issues during cold snaps that usually boil down to shit just being too friggin cold here.

not gas issue ( I thought we could only use premium gas in the x5?) starter would only click,click,click = not enough juice from battery.