Ordered a Battery Tender today

[Redadair]

Between Winter and a Knee surgery I got my 1M out of my garage for the first drive since last November. When I started the car I got a warning message about the battery having a low charge. I drove the car for about 1/2 hour, stopped and re-started the car without a message again.

It's time to have a Battery Tender on my car when it's being stored for anything over a couple of weeks. $45 is cheap insurance towards avoiding a battery replacement.

[HERR FSTIR]

I'm in a similar situation. Do you have a specific brand in mind?

[ayao]

I bought a CTEK based on reviews. I was going to get a Battery Tender but it seemed like the quality control had fallen lately despite historically very good feedback.

[NorthernDancer]

EVERY owner of a newer BMW should have one of these new microprocessor controlled battery "maintainers". Battery Tender and CTEK are 2 of the best choices. Schumacher is also up there. 1 amp or 1.5 amps

[Redadair]

Originally Posted by HERR FSTIR

I'm in a similar situation. Do you have a specific brand in mind?

Here's the one I purchased.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender..._gw_p_t_2_0JPZ

[Lester]

This one works, and you don't need 120v......

[johnnyb84]

http://www.tecmate-int.com/optimate5_detail.php

This is a sweet one. Pricey though...

[MrRoboto]

Are you guys removing the battery or leaving it hooked up in the car with the tender attached?

[MightyMouseTech]

I am surprised no one uses the solar powered ones that just plug into the OBD port. Solar panel that sticks to the windshield with suction cups and just plugs into the port. Will even work parked at places like the airport. Very convenient.

http://www.thesolartrader.co.uk/prod/491/icp-sunsei-oem-43w-car-battery-solar-charger

[Redadair]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Are you guys removing the battery or leaving it hooked up in the car with the tender attached?

From all I have read the Suggested method is to hook the tender to the terminals under the hood not directly to the battery. Jut leave the Tender plugged in and the electronics of the unit monitors the battery voltage and charges when it's needed. Keeping the battery fully charged and ready to go. This will defiantly protect the battery from early failures.

[E30 Racer]

+1

I've used a Battery Tender Plus for the last two years, connected to the jump terminals under the hood. Much more convenient than accessing the battery in the trunk, and you don't have to worry about smashing the weather stripping by closing the trunk lid on top of it (which is really bad for the charger's wires anyway).

[ayao]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Are you guys removing the battery or leaving it hooked up in the car with the tender attached?

Presumably hooking it up to the terminals under the hood reduces the likelihood of sparks igniting any gases liberated from the battery while charging.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Redadair

a couple of weeks

Yeah, that's a pretty long time. Especially for anyone like me in MN when talking about winter.

What your'e looking at / bought is great. My advice for anyone else wanting one but not yet purchased, is to be sure it will mind itself. Not all battery chargers will do that, some will keep going until you unplug them or they boil the battery.

[Acidblast]

Originally Posted by Redadair

Here's the one I purchased.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender..._gw_p_t_2_0JPZ

this is the exact one that I have. I've been using it on all my cars for years and haven't had any problems with it.

If you don't drive the 1M for a few weeks you will get that low battery warning. And to avoid a trip to the dealer the battery tender will do the trick while in storage.

[Redadair]

Amazon also sells a BMW branded charger, but what I have read it's made by the same company as the Battery Tender?

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Genuine-82...attery+charger

[T1T2GRE]

Wifey got me the Battery Tender one for Christmas. Very happy with it. Mine charges the mower when in long term storage, but also works for the M. Very easy to hook up under the hood, and it takes care of itself.

[GreenLantern]

I have experience with both Battery Tender and CTEK.

Mercedes / AMG uses a rebranded CTEK charger. Same with Ferrari and Lamborghini, I believe.

The CTEK is much more high tech and can deal with a wider variety of batteries and battery states (i.e., it can recondition and recover dead batteries).

Both are pretty solid. I do trust CTEK more for higher end cars, however.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by E30 Racer

I've used a Battery Tender Plus for the last two years, connected to the jump terminals under the hood. Much more convenient than accessing the battery in the trunk, and you don't have to worry about smashing the weather stripping by closing the trunk lid on top of it (which is really bad for the charger's wires anyway).

+1 to connecting it to the terminals as opposed to directly into the battery. In some cars (not sure about the 1M), connecting directly to the battery will result in you, technically, bypassing any protections put in place between the terminals and the battery.

[NorthernDancer]

We are expecting a huge snow storm tonight, Monday 18 March and into tomorrow. Our cars sit in winter storage 4-5 months out of the year. BMW dealers here are mounting small BMW battery chargers (Battery Tender)permanently in the trunk and hooked up to the battery so all one need do is plug it in to household current. Battery Tender, CTEK, Schumacher and likely others all make good units.

[AKopp]

With the crappy cold weather the north east has been getting this winter, I haven't been driving mine much. It layed in the garage for about 1-2 months and when I started it, I got the Increased Battery Discharge message. So I went to Walmart and bought a simple low amperage tender and connected it to the posts under the hood. Never got the message again.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by AKopp

With the crappy cold weather the north east has been getting this winter, I haven't been driving mine much. It layed in the garage for about 1-2 months and when I started it, I got the Increased Battery Discharge message. So I went to Walmart and bought a simple low amperage tender and connected it to the posts under the hood. Never got the message again.

When you guys leave your cars parked for extended periods... it is important to unplug USB drives or iPod/iPhone connectors. Also... IF you have comfort access (CA) - do not leave the keys anywhere near the car(so the car can go to sleep). I would have the keys at least 50ft away.

+1 on the CTEK. I think its a very good product.

[HERR FSTIR]

Got this in the mail yesterday. Nice product. Very easy to use.