Battery Tender

kwike92 · 08-15-2014, 03:58 PM

do any of you guys that dont drive your m3 often have a battery tender hooked up to your battery?

just curious because i drive my m3 mabye once or twice a month and i dont want to go start the car one day and the car not start.

thank you guys for your comments in advance.

-eric

Amirsm3 · 08-15-2014, 04:02 PM

This last winter I had mine hooked up to a tender. You should do it since you don't drive that often.

1MOREMOD · 08-15-2014, 04:09 PM

My track car e46 is always hooked to one. Car gets used 1-2 times a month.

BPMSport · 08-15-2014, 04:45 PM

Pick up one of the ones made by deltran, it's the same as the BMW one and works like a charm. I will use it if I go out of town or don't plan on driving the car for awhile. I use it on the E32, E46, and E90 and it does a great job keeping the voltage at 13.x

thekurgan · 08-15-2014, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Pick up one of the ones made by deltran, it's the same as the BMW one and works like a charm. I will use it if I go out of town or don't plan on driving the car for awhile. I use it on the E32, E46, and E90 and it does a great job keeping the voltage at 13.x

+1 on the Deltran. Mine is on the thing just about all the as she's not driven much, it works well, doesn't get too hot. The extensions are a MUST.

kwike92 · 08-15-2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Pick up one of the ones made by deltran, it's the same as the BMW one and works like a charm. I will use it if I go out of town or don't plan on driving the car for awhile. I use it on the E32, E46, and E90 and it does a great job keeping the voltage at 13.x

thanks! i have a deltran i used for my boat, so ill just pull it out from storage and pop it on tonight.

so just leave it on 13.xx volts? and its safe just to leave it on 24/7 right?

dj_dub · 08-15-2014, 05:03 PM

I have the BMW one and use it when I don't drive my car for around 2 weeks...it works perfect. Got it for $50 on Amazon Prime.

Beemdog · 08-15-2014, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwike92

thanks! i have a deltran i used for my boat, so ill just pull it out from storage and pop it on tonight.

so just leave it on 13.xx volts? and its safe just to leave it on 24/7 right?

Yes, if it's a battery tender it is safe to leave it on 24/7. A battery _charger_, no. The tender charges at about 1 amp until the correct peak voltage is attained, then switches to a very low current trickle mode to maintain that level indefinitely and counteract drainage from car alarm systems, etc.

M3 Esq · 08-15-2014, 05:52 PM

Yes Deltran is great!

///M Power-Belgium · 08-15-2014, 06:27 PM

My CTEK in action and also used at my BMW/Dealer,so easy...one click with the central connector , it takes 5 secondes to start charging !
More pics of it how it's connected to the battery > #26 on this page > http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...1#post15488771

Beemdog · 08-15-2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

My CTEK in action and also used at my BMW/Dealer,so easy...one click with the central connector , it takes 5 secondes to start charging !
More pics of it how it's connected to the battery > #26 on this page > http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...1#post15488771

I was thinking about a C-Tek for my next tender. ///M-Power-B, do you know if that unit remembers and returns to it's prior state following a power outage? I've had processor controlled units that completely lost their settings and stopped charging following a power outage, which could leave the vehicle with a dead battery if not corrected every time the power goes out. Doh! Ever try just unplugging it and plugging it back in again to see if it resumes it's prior state?

M3GarageKing · 08-15-2014, 06:44 PM

i am using geniuschargers bought it from Newegg for $29.99. No issue at all

///M Power-Belgium · 08-15-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beemdog

I was thinking about a C-Tek for my next tender. ///M-Power-B, do you know if that unit remembers and returns to it's prior state following a power outage? I've had processor controlled units that completely lost their settings and stopped charging following a power outage, which could leave the vehicle with a dead battery if not corrected every time the power goes out. Doh! Ever try just unplugging it and plugging it back in again to see if it resumes it's prior state?

It works in stages where the charge is needed, in the pic above you can see the charge is at 50 % , so if I would unplug it and plug it back in it starts at the lowest level and feels (measuring) where the charge is needed and after a few secondes it jumps back to the 50 % level there where the charge previous was and is needed .
I'm using my CTEK for more than 2 years and in winter it stays 3-4 months connected to my battery !
Need to say ..my battery is always in top condition ! CTEK works just perfect !
Video helps even more.....

Semi-Poor · 08-15-2014, 08:27 PM

Owned my car for 1-year less than 3000 miles "park and plug" is my routine.

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ChrisF · 08-15-2014, 10:28 PM

I've got a spare CTEK MUS 4.3 with cigarette adapter if anyone is interested. Bought two but have never opened the 2nd one. Been using it on the GT3 for a while now and it's awesome.

Flying Ace · 08-16-2014, 12:25 AM

I DD my car and I use a tender on weekends.

Flying Ace · 08-16-2014, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semi-Poor

Owned my car for 1-year old less than 3000 miles "park and plug" is my routine.

Attachment 1076603

Is yours really pink? Lol

SenorFunkyPants · 08-16-2014, 03:36 AM

+1 on the CTEK - its rebadged by BMW for their parts dept.
I got the pre-superceded version - CTEK MXS 3.6 3.8A 12V Multi-Functional 4-Stage Car Battery Charger - as it was cheaper.

Semi-Poor · 08-16-2014, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Is yours really pink? Lol

A portion of the proceeds go to The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.

Yes it is, you must have missed the "pink product" trend used to raise money for cancer? Try to help out if I can.

CBS · 08-16-2014, 07:07 AM

Have had Deltran for a few years. Works great.

CSBM5 · 08-16-2014, 07:13 AM

I use a CTEK also, the 7002 model. I've used it for a number of years on the M5 and now swap it back and forth to the M3; neither car gets driven every day and during yucky weather for long periods perhaps. It works fantastic and will greatly extend your battery's life.

For whatever reason, it seems like the M3 is generally at a lower state of battery charge, even when it's recently been driven (based on how fast the CTEK moves up through it's four states). The M5 can sit for 10 days off the charger/tender, get connected, and shortly be in the tender state (highest) whereas the M3 almost always gets to position 2 and then works its way to four over a couple of hours or more, even it was just recently driven.

In any event, it's a great unit, and I've been very happy with it. If anyone buys an F8x, all these "old" chargers are no longer applicable as you need one that can work properly with the new Li battery as they need a different voltage for charging, can't be overcharged and should never have a trickle charge -- of course the good thing about the Li battery is that it's 31lbs lighter.

///WeissBisBlau · 08-18-2014, 06:30 AM

Hey, you guys that have the Deltran Battery Tender, how exactly do you have yours set up? I just got mine yesterday, and looking to get it set up today. Do you have it set up to the leads under the hood, or to the battery itself in the trunk? Do you use the alligator clamps, etc? Thanks!

08-15-2014, 03:58 PM	#1
kwike92 Lieutenant Colonel 121 Rep 1,775 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 CP Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Costa Mesa, Ca iTrader: (9)	Battery Tender do any of you guys that dont drive your m3 often have a battery tender hooked up to your battery? just curious because i drive my m3 mabye once or twice a month and i dont want to go start the car one day and the car not start. thank you guys for your comments in advance. -eric __________________ 2014 M5 Comp Package.
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08-15-2014, 04:02 PM	#2
Amirsm3 Brigadier General 514 Rep 3,482 Posts Drives: 2011 Space Grey e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Williams/Flagstaff, AZ iTrader: (3)	This last winter I had mine hooked up to a tender. You should do it since you don't drive that often. __________________ 2011 e90 M3 Space Grey DCT ZCP- eAs, BMW Performance, Agency Power, Macht Schnell, iND, Milltek, Volk, Challenge, Stoptech, Ohlins BMWCCA:518970
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08-15-2014, 04:09 PM	#3
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	My track car e46 is always hooked to one. Car gets used 1-2 times a month.
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08-15-2014, 04:45 PM	#4
BPMSport BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3387 Rep 7,541 Posts Drives: Harrop M3 / F10 M5 / F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9) Garage List 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 735i Turbo [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M5 [0.00]	Pick up one of the ones made by deltran, it's the same as the BMW one and works like a charm. I will use it if I go out of town or don't plan on driving the car for awhile. I use it on the E32, E46, and E90 and it does a great job keeping the voltage at 13.x __________________ -----\| Like us on Facebook \| Instagram \|\| Tuning Information \| Remote Coding \|----- ----Visit us at www.BPMSport.com - Emotion. Driven. \| Toll Free: (888) 557-5133----
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08-15-2014, 05:03 PM	#7
dj_dub IG: @dj_dub 1803 Rep 1,452 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E90 M3 - SG/FR 6MT Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SF Bay Area to Las Vegas iTrader: (4) Garage List 2017 Porsche 991.2 C2S [0.00] 2001 MBZ ML430 [0.00] 2006 BMW E46 M3 Vert [0.00] 2010 BMW E90 M3 [6.00]	I have the BMW one and use it when I don't drive my car for around 2 weeks...it works perfect. Got it for $50 on Amazon Prime. __________________ CarboProject CF Plenum \| Dinan CF Intake \| ESS Tune \| RKP X-Pipe \| Akra w/CF Tips \| MFactory CF DS \| CSF Cooling \| AST 5200 \| Hotchkis F/R Sways \| SPL/Ground Control/Fall-Line Arms \| DEFIV Diff Brace \| StudioRSR Rollcage \| 3-piece BBS RT88 \| Michelin PS4S \| Brembos F/R \| Recaro Profi SPG XL \| CAE Ultra Shifter \| Perf Elec Wheel V2 \| BAVSOUND \| GT4 CF Front Lip/Canards/Rear Wing \| Arkym CF Rear Diffuser \| Forcewerkz CF SS \| Varis CF Lower Tray \| Turner Skidplate \| BayOptiks Headlights
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08-15-2014, 05:52 PM	#9
M3 Esq Automobilist 395 Rep 2,632 Posts Drives: E70 X5, 911 GT3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (12)	Yes Deltran is great!
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08-15-2014, 06:27 PM	#10
///M Power-Belgium General 63360 Rep 24,668 Posts Drives: ///M3-E92-DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	My CTEK in action and also used at my BMW/Dealer,so easy...one click with the central connector , it takes 5 secondes to start charging ! More pics of it how it's connected to the battery > #26 on this page > http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...1#post15488771 Attached Images __________________ "MAX VERSTAPPEN" IS THE 2021+2022+2023 F1 WORLD CHAMPION - #UnLeashTheLion BPM DEV-Tune & DCT Software-Tune & Servotronic & coding ///Alpine HID Angeleyes ///Oem.exhaust mod.
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08-15-2014, 06:44 PM	#12
M3GarageKing Private First Class 5 Rep 119 Posts Drives: E93#DTC Lexus IS350 Fsport DD Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: LA iTrader: (4)	i am using geniuschargers bought it from Newegg for $29.99. No issue at all
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08-15-2014, 08:27 PM	#14
Semi-Poor Lieutenant 158 Rep 595 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Coupe Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Northeast USA iTrader: (0)	Owned my car for 1-year less than 3000 miles "park and plug" is my routine. __________________ *2017 M2 Coupe Black Sapphire Metallic* Last edited by Semi-Poor; 08-16-2014 at 05:15 AM..
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08-15-2014, 10:28 PM	#15
ChrisF Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 203 Posts Drives: '11 M3 ZCP, '10 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marin iTrader: (1)	I've got a spare CTEK MUS 4.3 with cigarette adapter if anyone is interested. Bought two but have never opened the 2nd one. Been using it on the GT3 for a while now and it's awesome.
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08-16-2014, 12:25 AM	#16
Flying Ace Lieutenant General 4985 Rep 11,891 Posts Drives: G05 45e, 997.1 & 991.1 GT3s Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (5)	I DD my car and I use a tender on weekends.
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08-16-2014, 03:36 AM	#18
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	+1 on the CTEK - its rebadged by BMW for their parts dept. I got the pre-superceded version - CTEK MXS 3.6 3.8A 12V Multi-Functional 4-Stage Car Battery Charger - as it was cheaper.
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08-16-2014, 07:07 AM	#20
CBS Major 87 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: F10535, E90M3, E30M3, E28M5 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Alpina B6 GC [0.00] 2014 535xi M Sport [0.00] 2014 X3 3.5 M Sport [0.00] 2011 M3 E90 [9.74] 2007 Z4 M Coupe [7.00] 1990 M3 [9.50] 1988 M5 [10.00]	Have had Deltran for a few years. Works great. __________________ ESS VT-1 550 \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Fall Line Half Cage \| RaceTech 4009W \| 6 pt Harness \| Lifeline Zero 360 Fire Suppression \| Rear Seat Delete \| Motion Control DA Dampers w/remote reservoirs \| 900/650 Hyperco Springs \| RD Sport Sway Bars \| Brembo 380 BBK \| GC Camber Plates \| Hoosier R7 \| Eisenmann Sport \| Stack Gauges \| Painted Challenge Front Lip \| Painted ZCP Rear Spoiler \| Xpel Ultimate Film \| LuxAngelEyes
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08-16-2014, 07:13 AM	#21
CSBM5 Brigadier General 2723 Rep 3,337 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Comp, 2011 M3, etc Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (2)	I use a CTEK also, the 7002 model. I've used it for a number of years on the M5 and now swap it back and forth to the M3; neither car gets driven every day and during yucky weather for long periods perhaps. It works fantastic and will greatly extend your battery's life. For whatever reason, it seems like the M3 is generally at a lower state of battery charge, even when it's recently been driven (based on how fast the CTEK moves up through it's four states). The M5 can sit for 10 days off the charger/tender, get connected, and shortly be in the tender state (highest) whereas the M3 almost always gets to position 2 and then works its way to four over a couple of hours or more, even it was just recently driven. In any event, it's a great unit, and I've been very happy with it. If anyone buys an F8x, all these "old" chargers are no longer applicable as you need one that can work properly with the new Li battery as they need a different voltage for charging, can't be overcharged and should never have a trickle charge -- of course the good thing about the Li battery is that it's 31lbs lighter. __________________ Current Stable: 2024 G20 M340i Melbourne Red/Cognac 2019 F87 M2 Competition 6MT, LBB, slicktop, exec pkg 2007 E91 328i Silver, slushbox, Eibach fr/E93 M3 rear sway bars, ARC-8
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08-18-2014, 06:30 AM	#22
///WeissBisBlau Captain 265 Rep 720 Posts Drives: ‘21 M5C Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: AL iTrader: (0)	Hey, you guys that have the Deltran Battery Tender, how exactly do you have yours set up? I just got mine yesterday, and looking to get it set up today. Do you have it set up to the leads under the hood, or to the battery itself in the trunk? Do you use the alligator clamps, etc? Thanks!
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