Battery Tender Jr.

ZIPNBYE · 01-23-2012, 09:34 PM

Does anybody have any experience with this unit on their 135i?

I've had one on the car now for about a week and it's still in 'charge' mode, solid red light...which I think is a little strange. I'd have thought that it would be in maintenance mode by now (flashing or solid green). Checking the battery's eye, it's barely green (very dark).

Tom K. · 01-25-2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

Does anybody have any experience with this unit on their 135i?

I've had one on the car now for about a week and it's still in 'charge' mode, solid red light...which I think is a little strange. I'd have thought that it would be in maintenance mode by now (flashing or solid green). Checking the battery's eye, it's barely green (very dark).

My 15 year old Battery Tender brings my 128i up to full charge in about 1 1/2 days after the car has been sitting for 3 weeks.

You might try disconnecting and reconnecting the unit, double checking the polarity at the underhood terminals.

Tom

ZIPNBYE · 01-25-2012, 03:34 PM

Red on the red (with cap), black on the bare stud...using the under-hood connection points.

I've got a second battery tender (on the Miata, as it's not being used much either right now), and I plan on swapping them over (as that one is working for sure, given that it's showing blinking or solid green now). Both units were bought new on the day they were installed in the two cars.

If that doesn't solve it, I'll be doing some head-scratching.

IZAGLO · 01-25-2012, 07:35 PM

i had the same question??? I installed mine about 2 week ago and it's still red..I did a couple of startups in very cold weather when usually my battery is not as strong as when it's warmer and it started perfectly like the battery had a full charge.. It did not start as well prior to getting the BTso ...am assuming(may be wrong)that when it's cold the battery will be in the charge mode longer as the cold certainly drains the power..On the 2nd statrup this past Sunday it started perfect as well so assuming it's working otherwise i would feel the drain like i did last winter when the car sat. All i no so far it's better than last year with no BT. so something is happening LOL.Keeping an eye on it but so far it has helped. But agreed it would be nice to see green at some point.

GuamX1 · 01-26-2012, 07:53 PM

Are you running 1amp or 2 amps? do you have the factory alarm on?

ZIPNBYE · 01-27-2012, 05:46 PM

It's all automatic...it's a trickle charger, then monitors / maintains full charge.

Don't have the alarm...it was an option in 2009.

IZAGLO · 01-30-2012, 08:12 PM

went out for a look at the BT Friday night and would ya no it the BT light finally turned green

..So indeed it is working correctly. Took the car out for a drive and hooked the BT back up again and it was red again..will check tomorrow but at tis point it is working and unlike last winter, i have to say the BT is making a big difference in start up power after the car sits through very cold weather...as well as giving me peace of mind knowing it will start perfectly anytime in any weather !

Went out today 1/31/12 and th BT was Green///Indeed it's working.

NorthernDancer · 02-01-2012, 11:08 AM

Our battery is big and Edmonton tends to get cold (lived there 3 different times) so maybe it'll take some more time. Battery could be sulphated a bit. Buy a digital multimeter at Cdn Tire (on sale this week - $14.95) and check the voltage. Since you've had the BT on for some time, voltage should be 12.5 volts or higher.
Mike BMWCCC BMWCCOttawa BMWCCA

ZIPNBYE · 02-02-2012, 06:57 PM

With the exception of one week, it hasn't been cold here at all this winter. We took the car out for a five hour highway blast last weekend and I'll check it again this weekend to see what's up. It was solid red when hooked back up after the drive though...

NorthernDancer · 02-02-2012, 08:14 PM

After a 5 hour drive and its still not showing charged then definitely something wrong. Assume you have the 1.25 amp unit with 2 lights. As shown on back side, when BT brings battery up to 80% then green light starts flashing and if you are not seeing this then again, something wrong. The DVM will tell you something. Try the BT on another battery. They do have a 10 year warranty.

akua99 · 02-02-2012, 08:33 PM

Battery Tender Jr charger can only trickle charge battery at .75A rate which is inadequate for 80AH battery or larger.
I will recommend using charger with at least 1A charge rate like Noco G1100 charger.
I use Noco G3500 one which has 3.5A and 0.9A charge rate and works great on my 128i 80AH battery.

ZIPNBYE · 02-15-2012, 05:59 AM

It's green! Took long enough, but I knew it was warranted, given how little we've used the car this winter.

IZAGLO · 02-15-2012, 10:04 AM

odd to leave in the green and take a drive and hook the BT back up only to be red again...Mine is the same way. But whatever it's working as my car has started perfectly all winter even when the BT is red. That's the goal..to have a battery ready to start in any weather and so far the BT has done this. I find no need to upgrade to a a better charger because it may take a little longer for the BT to turn green. Maybe if i was starting fresh, but for now i am pleased.Compared to last year a 100% improvement...

And all winter i have driven my car weekly at least 1 time.

GuamX1 · 02-15-2012, 06:54 PM

My charger also seems to be on the red but my car still starts all the time

Tom K. · 02-16-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IZAGLO

odd to leave in the green and take a drive and hook the BT back up only to be red again...Mine is the same way.

When I leave the BT connected and open the car door, the light changes from green to red and almost instantaneously back to green!

Good to know my older BT still reacts so quickly.

Tom

JHZR2 · 03-08-2012, 10:42 AM

The car will not charge the battery to a true float level, which is defined at a specific voltage (temperature dependent), to the point where maintenance draw is below a certain point, e.g. 0.05A.

Ive never had a charger (I have a number of high end solid state chargers) that DID NOT want to top up the battery to a float voltage condition, even after very long road trips.

So that is normal.

Pb-A batteries (whether flooded or AGM, both types are used in BMWs) all want to be charged at a VERY slow rate for optimal performance and maximized stored energy. This balances with internal resistance and side reactions which exhaust energy from the battery. This is why one uses a float charger.

01-23-2012, 09:34 PM	#1
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	Battery Tender Jr. Does anybody have any experience with this unit on their 135i? I've had one on the car now for about a week and it's still in 'charge' mode, solid red light...which I think is a little strange. I'd have thought that it would be in maintenance mode by now (flashing or solid green). Checking the battery's eye, it's barely green (very dark). __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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01-25-2012, 03:34 PM	#3
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	Red on the red (with cap), black on the bare stud...using the under-hood connection points. I've got a second battery tender (on the Miata, as it's not being used much either right now), and I plan on swapping them over (as that one is working for sure, given that it's showing blinking or solid green now). Both units were bought new on the day they were installed in the two cars. If that doesn't solve it, I'll be doing some head-scratching. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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01-25-2012, 07:35 PM	#4
IZAGLO Mbira 30 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: Sedonna Red 09 135i SOLD Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Garage cleaning Brake Dust iTrader: (3)	i had the same question??? I installed mine about 2 week ago and it's still red..I did a couple of startups in very cold weather when usually my battery is not as strong as when it's warmer and it started perfectly like the battery had a full charge.. It did not start as well prior to getting the BTso ...am assuming(may be wrong)that when it's cold the battery will be in the charge mode longer as the cold certainly drains the power..On the 2nd statrup this past Sunday it started perfect as well so assuming it's working otherwise i would feel the drain like i did last winter when the car sat. All i no so far it's better than last year with no BT. so something is happening LOL.Keeping an eye on it but so far it has helped. But agreed it would be nice to see green at some point.
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01-26-2012, 07:53 PM	#5
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	Are you running 1amp or 2 amps? do you have the factory alarm on? __________________ 2013 BMW X1 * 1973 Clubman GT * 2016 Mazda MX5 * 2000 Honda S2000 2004 BMW 325i Touring * 2009 BMW X5 3.0xdrive
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01-27-2012, 05:46 PM	#6
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	It's all automatic...it's a trickle charger, then monitors / maintains full charge. Don't have the alarm...it was an option in 2009. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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01-30-2012, 08:12 PM	#7
IZAGLO Mbira 30 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: Sedonna Red 09 135i SOLD Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Garage cleaning Brake Dust iTrader: (3)	went out for a look at the BT Friday night and would ya no it the BT light finally turned green..So indeed it is working correctly. Took the car out for a drive and hooked the BT back up again and it was red again..will check tomorrow but at tis point it is working and unlike last winter, i have to say the BT is making a big difference in start up power after the car sits through very cold weather...as well as giving me peace of mind knowing it will start perfectly anytime in any weather ! Went out today 1/31/12 and th BT was Green///Indeed it's working. Last edited by IZAGLO; 01-31-2012 at 08:08 PM..
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02-01-2012, 11:08 AM	#8
NorthernDancer Colonel 848 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	maybe more time Our battery is big and Edmonton tends to get cold (lived there 3 different times) so maybe it'll take some more time. Battery could be sulphated a bit. Buy a digital multimeter at Cdn Tire (on sale this week - $14.95) and check the voltage. Since you've had the BT on for some time, voltage should be 12.5 volts or higher. Mike BMWCCC BMWCCOttawa BMWCCA
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02-02-2012, 06:57 PM	#9
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	With the exception of one week, it hasn't been cold here at all this winter. We took the car out for a five hour highway blast last weekend and I'll check it again this weekend to see what's up. It was solid red when hooked back up after the drive though... __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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02-02-2012, 08:14 PM	#10
NorthernDancer Colonel 848 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	OK, something not right After a 5 hour drive and its still not showing charged then definitely something wrong. Assume you have the 1.25 amp unit with 2 lights. As shown on back side, when BT brings battery up to 80% then green light starts flashing and if you are not seeing this then again, something wrong. The DVM will tell you something. Try the BT on another battery. They do have a 10 year warranty.
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02-02-2012, 08:33 PM	#11
akua99 New Member 2 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Plano, Texas iTrader: (0)	Battery Tender Jr charger can only trickle charge battery at .75A rate which is inadequate for 80AH battery or larger. I will recommend using charger with at least 1A charge rate like Noco G1100 charger. I use Noco G3500 one which has 3.5A and 0.9A charge rate and works great on my 128i 80AH battery.
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02-15-2012, 05:59 AM	#12
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	It's green! Took long enough, but I knew it was warranted, given how little we've used the car this winter. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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02-15-2012, 10:04 AM	#13
IZAGLO Mbira 30 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: Sedonna Red 09 135i SOLD Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Garage cleaning Brake Dust iTrader: (3)	odd to leave in the green and take a drive and hook the BT back up only to be red again...Mine is the same way. But whatever it's working as my car has started perfectly all winter even when the BT is red. That's the goal..to have a battery ready to start in any weather and so far the BT has done this. I find no need to upgrade to a a better charger because it may take a little longer for the BT to turn green. Maybe if i was starting fresh, but for now i am pleased.Compared to last year a 100% improvement... And all winter i have driven my car weekly at least 1 time.
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02-15-2012, 06:54 PM	#14
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	My charger also seems to be on the red but my car still starts all the time __________________ 2013 BMW X1 * 1973 Clubman GT * 2016 Mazda MX5 * 2000 Honda S2000 2004 BMW 325i Touring * 2009 BMW X5 3.0xdrive
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03-08-2012, 10:42 AM	#16
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	The car will not charge the battery to a true float level, which is defined at a specific voltage (temperature dependent), to the point where maintenance draw is below a certain point, e.g. 0.05A. Ive never had a charger (I have a number of high end solid state chargers) that DID NOT want to top up the battery to a float voltage condition, even after very long road trips. So that is normal. Pb-A batteries (whether flooded or AGM, both types are used in BMWs) all want to be charged at a VERY slow rate for optimal performance and maximized stored energy. This balances with internal resistance and side reactions which exhaust energy from the battery. This is why one uses a float charger. Last edited by JHZR2; 03-08-2012 at 10:51 AM..
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