Lithium Ion Battery Charger Availability?

[M!]

I called a BMW dealer about buying a trickle charger for my M4's lithium ion battery and was initially told that there is only one genuine BMW charger for all models. When I pointed out that a lithium ion battery requires a specialized charger he told me that he would have to do a bit of research. A short time later he called back and said BMW does not offer such a charger, but that I should look for one on the after-market that has a 13.6 volt setting.
Does anyone have information about the availability of an appropriate charger? Can anyone recommend a specific charger?
Thanks.

[JamesM3M5]

I'd check with Deltran Battery Tender, first. They have Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and chargers for them as well. I'd give those guys a call and see whether they're appropriate for the new BMW Li-ion battery. http://batterytender.com/chargers/

They claim they're the manufacturer for BMW, Harley, Lotus, and others.

More info on charging Li-ion batteries:

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a..._ion_batteries

[MasterC17]

See my post here, this is direct from BMW NA. BMW themselves do not offer one at the moment.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...7&postcount=49

[Gstone]

I'm assuming you all want this for use during car storage, no?

My car will have limited use, if any during winter months. Can you recommend what things you would do during this time? Intermittent start ups?

[motex]

Originally Posted by RS Sherer

I called a BMW dealer about buying a trickle charger for my M4's lithium ion battery and was initially told that there is only one genuine BMW charger for all models. When I pointed out that a lithium ion battery requires a specialized charger he told me that he would have to do a bit of research. A short time later he called back and said BMW does not offer such a charger, but that I should look for one on the after-market that has a 13.6 volt setting.
Does anyone have information about the availability of an appropriate charger? Can anyone recommend a specific charger?
Thanks.

Check this link on Ctek chargers and testers:
http://www.ctek.com/int/en/chargers/LITHIUM%20XS

[motex]

Originally Posted by RS Sherer

I called a BMW dealer about buying a trickle charger for my M4's lithium ion battery and was initially told that there is only one genuine BMW charger for all models. When I pointed out that a lithium ion battery requires a specialized charger he told me that he would have to do a bit of research. A short time later he called back and said BMW does not offer such a charger, but that I should look for one on the after-market that has a 13.6 volt setting.
Does anyone have information about the availability of an appropriate charger? Can anyone recommend a specific charger?
Thanks.

Are you 100% sure all M4's come with Lithium Ion batteries?
I own a Ctek charger and tester (still brand new) and don't know if it will work on my M4?

[huatian]

Are you 100% sure, i don't think the M4's or any BMW (maybe an i8) uses an Li-Ion battery. Open the hood look at the battery if you see liquid in the cells it's not a Li-ion. If it was a true LiPo it would super expensive and the charging circuitry very sophisticated indeed. Perhaps it's its an advanced glass mat battery or AGM (not a LiPO) good battery over conventional wet cell and you still need a very good charger as not to ruin the battery which is easy thing to do.

[motex]

Originally Posted by huatian

Are you 100% sure, i don't think the M4's or any BMW (maybe an i8) uses an Li-Ion battery. Open the hood look at the battery if you see liquid in the cells it's not a Li-ion. If it was a true LiPo it would super expensive and the charging circuitry very sophisticated indeed. Perhaps it's its an advanced glass mat battery or AGM (not a LiPO) good battery over conventional wet cell and you still need a very good charger as not to ruin the battery which is easy thing to do.

Thanks, now I'm confused, will chek it myself, by the way, this is the one I own, great charger but also a tester, my former X6M used to have battery problems due to low usage and it worked just great.

http://www.ctek.com/int/en/chargers/...20AND%20CHARGE

[huatian]

COLD/AGM: Charging in cold conditions and AGM batteries - Yes, this charger will work for an AGM battery most likely what's in the M4. Come to think of it, it's in the trunk right, then it would have to be an AGM battery as AGM don't out gas like a conventional wet cell, hence you can putt it in the trunk safely. They are popular in boats and RV's as well. Take good care of the battery a good AGM can set you back 250+ dollars to replace and you definitely charge it correctly. My RV uses AGM's and yes during say we say learning process I've ruined a few and was not fun replacing them.

General rule of thumb for AGM's
1. Never over charge them - so you need a good charger that is AGM aware and be sure to put the setting on the charger for AGM
2. Never let it get under the manufacture min voltage some as low as 12.3v, check the manual that came with it.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by huatian

Are you 100% sure, i don't think the M4's or any BMW (maybe an i8) uses an Li-Ion battery. Open the hood look at the battery if you see liquid in the cells it's not a Li-ion. If it was a true LiPo it would super expensive and the charging circuitry very sophisticated indeed. Perhaps it's its an advanced glass mat battery or AGM (not a LiPO) good battery over conventional wet cell and you still need a very good charger as not to ruin the battery which is easy thing to do.

M3/M4 use Lithium Ion battery

See this thread
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=964593

Also see:
http://www.autofocus.ca/how-to/techn...heir-batteries

And to answer your cost comment (from the link above):
"We figured a high-tech battery like this wouldn’t come cheap, and a quick call to a local dealer revealed the projected cost of these batteries is a little over $1,100."

[huatian]

holy crap, wow - I'm super impressed. I feel better about the sicker price. Least I see where the money is going. Is great but a little scary too to keep this properly charged for winter storage. So easy to ruin a LiPo. Once I get my hands on the battery specs, I might just design my own charger to be safe.

[dave885]

CTek makes a Lithium Ion charger. I emailed them and they said it should work for the M3/M4.

[AIRHEIR]

Originally Posted by dave885

CTek makes a Lithium Ion charger. I emailed them and they said it should work for the M3/M4.

Could u let me know which model they said works for the M3/M4? I would like to get one ordered.

[motex]

Originally Posted by AIRHEIR

Could u let me know which model they said works for the M3/M4? I would like to get one ordered.

Check this out
http://www.ctek.com/int/en/chargers/LITHIUM%20XS

[E92LNGCGY]

I bought the Ctek Lithium charger and it is awesome. The charger is very smart.

[BuLoOoSki]

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

I bought the Ctek Lithium charger and it is awesome. The charger is very smart.

Have you already tried using it? How is it working for you?

Can you post pics?

[E92LNGCGY]

Originally Posted by BuLoOoSki

Have you already tried using it? How is it working for you?

Can you post pics?

Yes I have it works just like my other BMW trickle charger (non Lithium). Hook up the + and -, plug in wall that's it. It will do everything else on it's own. It even "talks" to the battery to see if it will accept charge first before moving to next step.

Will post some pics tomorrow.

[BuLoOoSki]

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

Yes I have it works just like my other BMW trickle charger (non Lithium). Hook up the + and -, plug in wall that's it. It will do everything else on it's own. It even "talks" to the battery to see if it will accept charge first before moving to next step.

Will post some pics tomorrow.

Thanks, looking forward for the pics. BTW is there a way to use it without being connect to an electric outlet? My apartment complex does not have electric outlets in the parking lot.

[E92LNGCGY]

Originally Posted by BuLoOoSki

Thanks, looking forward for the pics. BTW is there a way to use it without being connect to an electric outlet? My apartment complex does not have electric outlets in the parking lot.

Unfortunately no. It needs to be plug in.

[RocketBoots]

Just picked up one of these as well. Looks to be pretty good!

[jbtco]

Do the F80 systems give any info on battery condition eg state of charge via the idrive as the lithium battery is supposed to be a smart battery.

[E92LNGCGY]

Originally Posted by BuLoOoSki

Thanks, looking forward for the pics. BTW is there a way to use it without being connect to an electric outlet? My apartment complex does not have electric outlets in the parking lot.

Here is a pic. Not the best but you get the idea.