Removing the battery over winter

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nev
Joined: Fri 19 Feb, 2010 20:33
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Sutton-in-Craven

Removing the battery over winter

Post by nev »

Hi everyone - I got some great advice on storing my Zed over winter, thanks everyone. One more question - if I remove the battery to store indoors will my Zed lose it's memory i.e. service data etc? I would imagine that the battery won't be connected until March/April when the roads are clear of the dreaded grit and salt.
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W444 LKR
Joined: Tue 02 Sep, 2008 18:37
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Post by W444 LKR »

Get yourself a CTEK charger, I have mine connected via the cigarette lighter and it maintains the battery.

It's alot less hassle than removing the battery. :)
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Cloz
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Post by Cloz »

W444 LKR wrote:It's alot less hassle than removing the battery. :)
My charger is a BMW. For myself it's a must during winter time or if I am not going out for a while during summer.

C
nev
Joined: Fri 19 Feb, 2010 20:33
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Sutton-in-Craven

CTEK Charger

Post by nev »

Hi All. Thanks for the advice. Been looking at the CTEK chargers - which one should I get? Cheers. Nev :dunce:
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Boysie
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Post by Boysie »

Hj

I have two of these a XS3600
http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/productindex.php
A very good charger with several ways of connecting

Ray
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Ferdinand
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Post by Ferdinand »

I have just upgraded my one CTEK MXS 3600 to 2 CTEK Multi XS7000 12v battery charger - one for each car to prevent a dead battery caused by an Webasto engine preheater or winter storage

"MULTI XS 7000 is a charger that provides complete battery care for those needing to charge normal size and slightly larger batteries, for example, in caravans, boats and cars.
It is fully-automatic with unique 8-step charging that supplies 7 A and which is suitable for 12 V batteries between 14-150 Ah and is suitable for maintenance charging up to 225 Ah.
MULTI XS 7000 analyses whether the battery can accept and retain the charge, it removes harmful lead sulphate crystals, charges quickly and efficiently and automatically switches to maintenance charging when the battery is fully charged.
MULTI XS 7000 has a practical Recond mode that balances the acid concentration in deep discharged batteries. It features a special cold mode to give optimal charging on cold winter days and to demanding AGM batteries (type Optima).
Supply mode allows the charger to be used as a power supply if you need to disconnect batteries from the vehicle. It is fully protected from producing voltages that can damage the vehicle’s electronics. It is also non-sparking and features reverse polarity and short circuit protection. MXS 7000 comes with a five year guarantee.

You don't get CTEK's for free - but it's the best charger reasonable money can buy - CTEK - chargers has won several prices - So for me there one one brand to buy...

They also have all kinds of extras - cables with 3 LED's (to show you the condition af the battery, different kinds og connesting cables.

I placed the "monitoring cable" on the battery - and the charger is connected to the ground a possitive connecting point in the engine bay...

And no - I get no bonus from CTEK!
Enjoy the weekend!
Ferdinand


BMW 3.0iA Sport Edition 08/2002 - iPod kit, CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger & Protek Protector Roof Cover ;o)
Range Rover 4.6 V8 HSE 03/2000, Webasto preheater and CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger
Citroën Xsara 2.0 110 Hdi Prestige hatchback with VTS alloys, Musketier rear spoiler and Webasto preheater
Volvo 144 1.8 B18 09/1967


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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
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Post by TitanTim »

Another CTEK 3600 user here and very pleased with it. Its worth paying the extra tenner for the lighter socket adapter, plug it in and forget about it. Its more convienient than connecting underbonnet or to the battery itself.

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Tim.
Last edited by TitanTim on Sat 18 Dec, 2010 21:21, edited 1 time in total.
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Robert T
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Post by Robert T »

And the award for the most creative use of a teatowel goes to..... :lol:

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

:oops: :D

Tim.
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mich
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Post by mich »

Can't he afford carpet in his garage :o
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Ferdinand
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Location: Sjælland, Denmark

Post by Ferdinand »

Hi Tim,

just a suggestion:
you need to unroll the cable - in case something goes wrong with charger - the cable could melt on the roll,

I thought about buying the "cigar lighter solution" - but since the car is parked for the winter I decided to go for a permanent solution - I don't want a charger that gets hot inside the car - now I have in the engine compartment between the engine blower and the mesh in the bumper - and the cable comes out between the bonnet and the bumper.

Ferdinand - hoping to revive the 1,5 year old battery in my Range Rover - 45 minutes with the preheater and it's dead!!!! :head: So I'm keeping fingers crossed that the CTEK recond mode can do something - battery cost a fortune when I bought it...
Ferdinand


BMW 3.0iA Sport Edition 08/2002 - iPod kit, CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger & Protek Protector Roof Cover ;o)
Range Rover 4.6 V8 HSE 03/2000, Webasto preheater and CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger
Citroën Xsara 2.0 110 Hdi Prestige hatchback with VTS alloys, Musketier rear spoiler and Webasto preheater
Volvo 144 1.8 B18 09/1967


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nev
Joined: Fri 19 Feb, 2010 20:33
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Location: Sutton-in-Craven

Post by nev »

The CTEK Multi XS7000 it is then!! I've had a look and it's more expensive but it'll hopefully last a few years so probably worth the extra investment.
Cheers everyone. :)
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TitanTim
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Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

mich wrote:Can't he afford carpet in his garage :o
:lol:

I have a 6 foot deep inspection pit under the car which has railway sleepers set into the garage floor with a carpet over the top :) The plastic sheet is to stop the damp rising up. Well seems to help anyways :|

Tim.
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
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  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

Ferdinand wrote:Hi Tim,

just a suggestion:
you need to unroll the cable - in case something goes wrong with charger - the cable could melt on the roll,

I thought about buying the "cigar lighter solution" - but since the car is parked for the winter I decided to go for a permanent solution - I don't want a charger that gets hot inside the car - now I have in the engine compartment between the engine blower and the mesh in the bumper - and the cable comes out between the bonnet and the bumper.

Ferdinand - hoping to revive the 1,5 year old battery in my Range Rover - 45 minutes with the preheater and it's dead!!!! :head: So I'm keeping fingers crossed that the CTEK recond mode can do something - battery cost a fortune when I bought it...
Thanks Ferdinand, I guess you mean the extension cable roll? I would hope if a fault developed with the charger it would switch itself off? The charger is plugged into a circuit breaker which is plugged into the extension cable.

I'm no budding electrician but now you have mentioned this, would it be better to have the circuit breaker at the mains source and plug the extension cable into it rather than what I have done at the moment. The reason I have a circuit breaker is our power has been been going off for a few seconds then comes back on so just worried about any power surges going to the CTEK charger.

If anyone else has any thoughts on connecting the charger up for long periods of time would appreciate it. Last thing anyone wants is a short circuit or potential fire risk etc :shock:

Cheers,

Tim.

P.S. the charger unit never really gets warm or hot so must be well insulated.
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Robert T
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Post by Robert T »

TitanTim wrote:would it be better to have the circuit breaker at the mains source and plug the extension cable into it rather than what I have done at the moment
Yes. It would probably trip even as it is, as earth leakage breakers are quite sensitive, but by putting it before the extension cable, you protect against faults in the cable as well. If it is also a surge protector, then it will still do its job at the other end of the cable.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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DC
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Location: Inverness-shire

Post by DC »

Just a recommendation for something a bit cheaper,
I've used a Halfords own brand maintenance conditioner for about 7 winters, first on my Morgan then on my Z.
Doesn't have any fancy settings but works fine for my needs, and keeps the battery charged and ready for use.
They still have the same model at about £25-00

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165629

Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
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G2JRP
Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2009 04:34
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Location: Dereham

Post by G2JRP »

I use the halfords one aswell.

Have used it for 4 years on my old X/19 then for 2 years on my Z3 2.8 and now on the ///M.
it is no frills but good value at £25.
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

Robert T wrote:
TitanTim wrote:would it be better to have the circuit breaker at the mains source and plug the extension cable into it rather than what I have done at the moment
Yes. It would probably trip even as it is, as earth leakage breakers are quite sensitive, but by putting it before the extension cable, you protect against faults in the cable as well. If it is also a surge protector, then it will still do its job at the other end of the cable.

Cheers R.
Thanks Robert, already done :lol:

Tim.
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Ferdinand
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Post by Ferdinand »

Hi Tim

I Agree with Robert T - my dad used to be an electrician and I have always heard that extension cords / Roll should be fully unwind to prevent overheating and creating a magnetic field.

To Nev.... glad that I could help...

Ferdinand
Ferdinand


BMW 3.0iA Sport Edition 08/2002 - iPod kit, CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger & Protek Protector Roof Cover ;o)
Range Rover 4.6 V8 HSE 03/2000, Webasto preheater and CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger
Citroën Xsara 2.0 110 Hdi Prestige hatchback with VTS alloys, Musketier rear spoiler and Webasto preheater
Volvo 144 1.8 B18 09/1967


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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
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Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

Ferdinand wrote:Hi Tim

I Agree with Robert T - my dad used to be an electrician and I have always heard that extension cords / Roll should be fully unwind to prevent overheating and creating a magnetic field.

To Nev.... glad that I could help...

Ferdinand
Thanks Ferdinand, really appreciate, :thumb:

Tim.
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mich
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Post by mich »

TitanTim wrote:
mich wrote:Can't he afford carpet in his garage :o
:lol:

I have a 6 foot deep inspection pit under the car which has railway sleepers set into the garage floor with a carpet over the top :) The plastic sheet is to stop the damp rising up. Well seems to help anyways :|

Tim.
Aha, the dreaded rising damp :lol: the plastic sheet is a damp course, I should have known :wink:
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Ferdinand
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Location: Sjælland, Denmark

Post by Ferdinand »

I was thinking Tim... have you thought about putting a small vent in the floor - blowing air into to hole in the floor - I think it would help remove the dampness...
Ferdinand


BMW 3.0iA Sport Edition 08/2002 - iPod kit, CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger & Protek Protector Roof Cover ;o)
Range Rover 4.6 V8 HSE 03/2000, Webasto preheater and CTEK MXS 7000 batterycharger
Citroën Xsara 2.0 110 Hdi Prestige hatchback with VTS alloys, Musketier rear spoiler and Webasto preheater
Volvo 144 1.8 B18 09/1967


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astropa
Joined: Wed 19 Nov, 2008 20:09
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trickle charger

Post by astropa »

I have no problems removing the battery when the car is off road during the winter period. One great thing about beamers is that they all have the batteries in the boot area, which means they are always clean and easy to remove when the car is parked in the garage.

I bought a trickle charger from eBay, cost less than 20 quid and it does the job of keeping my large and expensive battery in tip top condition. Although I loose all the presets on the radio the lack of power connected to the car for several months has no impact on the mileage or service level indicators.
astropa
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Post by astropa »

TitanTim wrote:
Ferdinand wrote:Hi Tim

I Agree with Robert T - my dad used to be an electrician and I have always heard that extension cords / Roll should be fully unwind to prevent overheating and creating a magnetic field.

To Nev.... glad that I could help...

Ferdinand
Thanks Ferdinand, really appreciate, :thumb:

Tim.
A coiled cable will create inductance, but I would not be too concerned with a trickle charger as one of those will pull very little current through your cable. However if you were to plug something with a large current drain such as an electrical heater or a washing machine that would be very stupid and dangerous.
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hornel Z3M
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ctek charger

Post by hornel Z3M »

Took Titan Tims advice and purchased one for the M and it is brilliant, keeps the battery topped up and works through the cigarette lighter, no more flat batteries through the winters. :squeeze:
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