[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by oldtexasdog

What's considered too short of a drive?

From my own experiments (in winter) on what mileage supports a battery, without reducing battery SoC, taking battery voltage readings. Takes more than 20 miles of mixed driving. Three trips of over 20 miles a week and I don't need to use my CTEK.

Summer time, less mileage, as energy demands are less and don't deplete the battery for the same use.

Repeated short trips, (less than 10 miles) and the SoC will likely be depleted quite quickly. May not have any battery issues, but could be down to the 60% SoC range.

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

From my own experiments (in winter) on what mileage supports a battery, without reducing battery SoC, taking battery voltage readings. Takes more than 20 miles of mixed driving. Three trips of over 20 miles a week and I don't need to use my CTEK.

Summer time, less mileage, as energy demands are less and don't deplete the battery for the same use.

Repeated short trips, (less than 10 miles) and the SoC will likely be depleted quite quickly. May not have any battery issues, but could be down to the 60% SoC range.

Good info.

[Dallasguy1985]

Already learned my lesson by getting low battery voltage first thing I did after replacing the battery was to get the Ctek MXS battery tender. Was recommended by the SMEs in the G30 forum.

[jsf721]

Help us out , what is the same exact charger ?

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

Ahhh! Gotcha, thanks bud.
I went to the garage just to check if I missed something on the charger.
Everything looks good. Green #7 is on while she's in Prison for the Winter.

I just found out this is the exact charger BMW now sells with their name on it ! Gotta love that!

[Qsilver7]

google search results for the latest BMW charger vs the various CTEK chargers:

[oldtexasdog]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

google search results for the latest BMW charger vs the various CTEK chargers:

Thats the exact same one I just got and am using

[oldtexasdog]

I picked up one of those CTEK charges. Thanks all! I charged off the under hood post last night to regen and charge the AGM trunk battery. This morning it was on float so I set up the charger on the front AGM battery for a regen/charge also. In order not to compromise the IBS I hooked the neg up to the same post I used for the rear battery not on the neg post of the battery, then clamped the pos term on the battery. Seems to be charging properly showing only 3 lights right now so we will see.

[BWilson263]

I just went out to the garage and connected my CTEK charger after reading this post. Started charging with 3 lights on. Here in NJ the weather forecast is for temps to be 10-12 degrees.

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

I just went out to the garage and connected my CTEK charger after reading this post. Started charging with 3 lights on. Here in NJ the weather forecast is for temps to be 10-12 degrees.

Yep. Same. I found when I lock the car, it charges faster.

[rosen39]

Hi. I have a 2021 X5 and while charging using the CTEK 5.0, I get whirring sounds, clicking sounds every now and then. I have shut down I-drive and charge with the hood open as instructed in the manual. What is your experience? Thanks in advance.

[ted99]

As I recall, BMW implemented a change to the alternator function a few years back. To save fuel (for the EPA test), the alternator only charges the battery when the car is on overrun. That means that it takes a lot more running time to recharge the battery that has lost charge while sitting. The cumulative effect of short trips can mean that the battery charge keeps going down, until it's flat--plus it greatly shortens the battery life. Those of us that don't have a daily driver have learned to keep the battery on a good tender such as those written about here.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by rosen39

Hi. I have a 2021 X5 and while charging using the CTEK 5.0, I get whirring sounds, clicking sounds every now and then. I have shut down I-drive and charge with the hood open as instructed in the manual. What is your experience? Thanks in advance.

Is your model a mild hybrid (MHT 48V)?

There are known problems with charging the 12V battery on some MHT models. Worth a search on the forum, as there are a couple of threads running over the past few weeks, discussing the issues.