Battery maintainers.....any recommendations?

[amk2912]

Further to my thread on flat batteries and a posting by Aggie57 on a Porsche battery maintainer, does anyone know if BMW have one or can recommend one that uses the cigarette lighter socket?

Many thanks.

[takahashi]

No need. Andrew @ SouthernBM sells those. You can get those locally.

http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/Default.aspx

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by takahashi

No need. Andrew @ SouthernBM sells those. You can get those locally.

http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/Default.aspx

Thanks for the link Taka, though I notice that Ctek one is a 24V charger.

[oldman]

I've used the ones available at JayCar electronics for years. I have an Austin Healey 3000, Triumph TR6, Haflinger, Tractor and Bobcat all connected to the same type of devices.

Funny this post is today as I have just stated the Haflinger 10 mins ago after 6 months and I'm about to kick over the Healey.

I have had vehicles sitting for 12 months without a start like the Bobcat and the batteries always perform linke they were started yesterday.

Product codes are either MB-3603 or MB-3604 depending on how much you want to spend.

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by oldman

I've used the ones available at JayCar electronics for years. I have an Austin Healey 3000, Triumph TR6, Haflinger, Tractor and Bobcat all connected to the same type of devices.

Funny this post is today as I have just stated the Haflinger 10 mins ago after 6 months and I'm about to kick over the Healey.

I have had vehicles sitting for 12 months without a start like the Bobcat and the batteries always perform linke they were started yesterday.

Product codes are either MB-3603 or MB-3604 depending on how much you want to spend.

Thanks for the info - the MB3604 looks like the go! I notice its 14.4V output.

BTW - Can I borrow your tractor, please? There are a few cars I need to sort out in the school drive-thru next week !

[Zuzu]

Sorry to hijack, but what do you use the haflinger for.. Are you on acre's?

[oldman]

Yeh mate, lucky enough to have 6.5 yet it's close to everything.

Here's todays activities because none have them have been started for 6 months possible longer and it's such a great day.

[RadiuM]

I'll put my hand up for the ctek ones. We use the ctek chargers for the kart batteries at the shop.. great little chargers/conditioners

[takahashi]

Originally Posted by amk2912

Thanks for the link Taka, though I notice that Ctek one is a 24V charger.

24V? This is the one I am specifically quoted from Andrew.

http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/Buy-Charge...harger=mxs3600

Have not get my act together for one yet. I am still using an old charger every 3 days for my other non daily car.

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by takahashi

24V? This is the one I am specifically quoted from Andrew.

http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/Buy-Charge...harger=mxs3600

Have not get my act together for one yet. I am still using an old charger every 3 days for my other non daily car.

Yeah..that 3600 in the link above shows a 12V model but the earlier link you posted shows a 24V model. Anyways...what's the quote?

[d3syd]

Originally Posted by oldman

Yeh mate, lucky enough to have 6.5 yet it's close to everything.

Here's todays activities because none have them have been started for 6 months possible longer and it's such a great day.

Wow that haflinger looks un-stoppable! Can you drive it on public roads?

[oldman]

Originally Posted by d3syd

Wow that haflinger looks un-stoppable! Can you drive it on public roads?

Yes it has 4 wheel drive with diff locks on all wheels, plus it's light enough for a couple of burly guys to lift the entire front or rear off the ground and move it if it gets bogged which is unlikely.

It is currently registered and we use it in the summer a lot to go down to the beach and just general run around. I do have doors for it, but its much more fun without them.

[petersracing]

I'd be keen to grab one as well. Maybe a bulk deal?

Ian

[andrew@southernBM]

I'll have a look at the prices on Monday when i get back to the shop.

[takahashi]

Let Andrew work it out. There is eBay prices out there though, but I will pay more for Andrew's service. Me in.

[amk2912]

FYI - just picked up a CTEK Multi XS 3600 from Repco shop down the road for $169. May not have been the cheapest but it was convenient.

[andrew@southernBM]

CTEK 3600, 1 Addicts, $130ea

[takahashi]

I am so in!!! How do I make payment? Can you mail?

[petersracing]

Originally Posted by andrew@southernBM

CTEK 3600, 1 Addicts, $130ea

Hey that's a great deal. Only 10 bucks more than shonky ebayers to deal with a real company. Ive paid already.

[x5mad]

For those interested in the state of their battery I picked up an information sheet from "Battery World" which estimates the percentage charge in your battery based on the ambient air temperature and the voltage of your battery. To read the chart, on the left is ambient air temperature in fahrenheit and celcius, and on the right (ignore the middle column) is the battery charge (percentage) remaining based on the voltage.

I was surprised to find my X5 and 135 was only sitting at approx 55% - the 135 will be in for some extra volts tonight!

[amk2912]

Just had all three cars topped up over the weekend with the CTEK and have just checked the voltages....

M3........12.6V
X5........12.6V
135i......12.1V

There must be a problem with the 135i battery.

[JHZR2]

How small is the 135i battery? Is it a standard group 48 or 49 battery, like most BMWs can take, or is it some tiny thing?

IMO, you have an internal short, which is not so severe that you loose a whole cell, but is present and just "sucks" energy out.

BTW, I like the charger you chose. I was going to recommend something like this:
http://www.batteryminders.com/batter...f-p-16133.html

So you have options for the charge rate, and also have the desulphidation mode, a smart float charge, etc. I think you got a good one.