[daxbox]

Hi all, new to modern BMWs. Any tips/tricks, do's/don'ts for trickle charging my 540i? Or similar to every other car? I use remote terminals for my Audi, and cigarette lighter for my Porsche... same-same for BMW?

[GaSelle]

I would just use the remote battery terminals in the engine bay.

[Qsilver7]

Ditto...only use the jump start terminals in the engine bay (be sure to use the dedicated NEGATIVE terminal & positive terminal designed for jump starting) so the IBS can track the change in the battery's voltage.

The 12 volt sockets turn off after a few minutes...so they won't work.

[Desmond79]

Originally Posted by GaSelle

I would just use the remote battery terminals in the engine bay.

Same... I've used them a couple of times.

Will not revive the dead ... only the mostly dead.

Have a 3 Series where it would turn over and start, but turn off after a drive, attempt to start and dead. Guess they are not Miracle Max. But it helped on a decent battery.

[daxbox]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Ditto...only use the jump start terminals in the engine bay (be sure to use the dedicated NEGATIVE terminal & positive terminal designed for jump starting) so the IBS can track the change in the battery's voltage.

The 12 volt sockets turn off after a few minutes...so they won't work.

Cool, thanks - this is what I needed to know... my buddy's Volvo would throw out fault codes no matter where you hooked up the trickle charger, and no matter what brand trickle charger he used. Not meaning to revive a dead battery, but just to maintain it while I go on a long semi-vacay.

[GaSelle]

I currently have a Ctek hooked up to my G30, since it´s parked for a longer time due to me working from home (Covid-19) - no issues at all

[MechWarrior]

I made a hookup point for the CTEK in the trunk just make sure the negative is connected before the IBS. So it can register that a charger is connected.
I connected the negative to the chassis, middle photo.

[daxbox]

Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I made a hookup point for the CTEK in the trunk just make sure the negative is connected before the IBS. So it can register that a charger is connected.
I connected the negative to the chassis, middle photo.

Nice & clean setup with the terminal! Thanks for the idea!

[Supacat]

Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I made a hookup point for the CTEK in the trunk just make sure the negative is connected before the IBS. So it can register that a charger is connected.
I connected the negative to the chassis, middle photo.

This is awesome! Have the same charger. Can you explain the black hookup plug that you installed into the trim? Any pics of it installed using the plug? Is that an extra part you got from CTEK? Looks super clean!

So, when charging you leave the trunk opened? I would love it if I can leave the trunk closed as I do with the hood as I run the wire up to the windshield so I can close the hood. Would love a hookup point like yours :-)

[MechWarrior]

It's the CTEK 56-380

CTEK (56-380) Comfort Indicator Panel M8 for Top Post Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002OHXX60..._8lZBFbYNY6PPZ

I also have the extension cable which is thin enough to fit between the closed trunk.
Or if I'm quick enough I can prevent the lid from closing completely.

The car is in my own garage so I don't care too much if the trunk is fully closed or not.

[Supacat]

Originally Posted by MechWarrior

It's the CTEK 56-380

CTEK (56-380) Comfort Indicator Panel M8 for Top Post Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002OHXX60..._8lZBFbYNY6PPZ

I also have the extension cable which is thin enough to fit between the closed trunk.
Or if I'm quick enough I can prevent the lid from closing completely.

The car is in my own garage so I don't care too much if the trunk is fully closed or not.

Thanks for the link! I already have the extension cord. Yeah my car is in my garage as well. Reason I want everything closed is in the past had a problem with mice with my last car after that am super anal about locking her up.

Thanks again!

[Supacat]

Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I made a hookup point for the CTEK in the trunk just make sure the negative is connected before the IBS. So it can register that a charger is connected.
I connected the negative to the chassis, middle photo.

Hey, so finally got around to grab the CTEK (56-380). Any tips on what you used to cut the hole in the trim for the CTEK plug? Thanks for any help!

[MechWarrior]

A Stanley knife.
I used Newtis to get insight on how to remove the lining (I had the car just a couple of days when I did this mod).
Easy peasy.
Just remember that the negative needs to be on the chassis bolt so the IBS notices the charging.
The positive can be installed on the battery lead.
At least that's what I did.

[Supacat]

Originally Posted by MechWarrior

A Stanley knife.
I used Newtis to get insight on how to remove the lining (I had the car just a couple of days when I did this mod).
Easy peasy.
Just remember that the negative needs to be on the chassis bolt so the IBS notices the charging.
The positive can be installed on the battery lead.
At least that's what I did.

Many many thanks! Yeah, I was thinking a utility knife. Wondering if its necessary to remove the lining meaning since I can reach behind it already I could just feed the wires down if I cut the hole.

As for the hookup, thanks to you, I already hooked it up the exact same as you did but just without installing in the trim and been charging it nightly to test and it works perfectly and I get to close the trunk :-)

This is an awesome mod sir so thanks!

[Supacat]

Oh and for a laugh, look where this maniac decided to install it? In my opinion, not the most smartest place to install it considering it is on the outside and could get very wet depending on the weather :-)

[MechWarrior]

Originally Posted by Supacat

Many many thanks! Yeah, I was thinking a utility knife. Wondering if its necessary to remove the lining meaning since I can reach behind it already I could just feed the wires down if I cut the hole.

As for the hookup, thanks to you, I already hooked it up the exact same as you did but just without installing in the trim and been charging it nightly to test and it works perfectly and I get to close the trunk :-)

This is an awesome mod sir so thanks!

You're welcome

[MechWarrior]

Originally Posted by Supacat

Oh and for a laugh, look where this maniac decided to install it? In my opinion, not the most smartest place to install it considering it is on the outside and could get very wet depending on the weather :-)

Yeah, I don't trust the watertight seal that much to install it like that :

[Supacat]

MechWarrior So I see how its best to remove the trim as it is hard to snake the wires with the fuse box attached. Would you belive my luck, it seems BMW shutdown newtis.info Like a couple of days ago. Any advice on a repair manual that we can even buy for the G30? It was a great resource for any breakdown you needed to do along with torque specs. I miss the Chilton's books lol.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1764863

[Supacat]

MechWarrior
Just wanted to say thanks again for the idea. Installed mine last night. Went a little different on the install location but otherwise the same hookup. I did not need to completely remove the trim and just popped all the clips to make it moveable.

[MLIFEM550]

I use this and it works great. Considering the car has a lithium battery this is a perfect charger for it. You can set it at the lithium charge leave it plugged in and not worry about it. In my opinion this is the way to go.

[Supacat]

Originally Posted by MLIFEM550

I use this and it works great. Considering the car has a lithium battery this is a perfect charger for it. You can set it at the lithium charge leave it plugged in and not worry about it. In my opinion this is the way to go.

I had the Noco 7200 and found it inferior to CTEK. It is definitely a good charger but I prefer the CTEKs for BMWs. My Nocos on multiple BMWs had issues. Just my opinion...

[MLIFEM550]

I have both but found out that my CTEK gets bit to warm. I don't drive my car much at all maybe 1k per year so it's always plugged in. Just didn't feel comfortable with CTEK