Trickle Charger Question - Connect in Trunk or Hood?

[edb4164]

I have a 2017 BMW M4 that I’m going to store for the winter. I have recently purchased this trickle charger using the advice from the knowledgeable folks on the forum.

CTEK (56-926) LITHIUM US 12 Volt Fully Automatic LiFePO4 Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUF6UM8..._nl84DbH9XDG6V

Can anyone opine on what location is preferred to hook the charger, under to hood or at the terminals in the trunk? If my knowledge serves me correctly, the LiFePO battery on the 2017 M4 is actually in the trunk.

Also, can I connect the grounding (black) alligator clip the the black terminal or does it need to be connected to the frame of the vehicle? I read contradicting information on this, and am not even certain if there is frame of the car showing in the connection ports in the trunk.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[LOW4LYF]

You have positive and negative under the hood and this is how you should charge your battery.
In a emergency the IBS is able to cut the power to the battery. When you are connected directly to the battery, the IBS can not function properly.

[edb4164]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

You have positive and negative under the hood and this is how you should charge your battery.
In a emergency the IBS is able to cut the power to the battery. When you are connected directly to the battery, the IBS can not function properly.

Thanks for the information. So I should connect the positive and negative alligator clips under to the red and black ports under the hood, and not in the trunk where the battery is?

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by edb4164

Thanks for the information. So I should connect the positive and negative alligator clips under to the red and black ports under the hood, and not in the trunk where the battery is?

Under the hood, the positive is under a red cover, the negative is a pin close to the right headlight.

Only if you charge under the hood you using the cars IBS which is responsible for the charging management.

[lukej]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

Under the hood, the positive is under a red cover, the negative is a pin close to the right headlight.

Only if you charge under the hood you using the cars IBS which is responsible for the charging management.

Yes this is exactly what my service department said to do. I’m getting the BMW brand, as it won’t void factory warranty. This is the one they recommended.

I’m sure others will work just fine. Meeting the same requirements.

BMW ADVANCED BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WITH ALLIGATOR CLIPS
This product is now switchable between AGM (Lead Acid/Standard) batteries and Lithium-Ion batteries (as found in the F80 M3 and F82/F83 M4).
This Advanced Battery Charging System can help you extend the life of your battery. Simply plug the 4-amp charger into a standard 115-VAC wall outlet and connect the alligator clips to your terminals under the hood. The device's on-board microchip monitors and regulate the charge- virtually eliminating sulfation.
BMW Advanced Battery Charging System with Alligator Clips
(PN: 82110049788)
$89.00
(Uninstalled)

[edb4164]

Thanks for the information guys! Will the hood close properly with the power cable dangling out? Or do you run them through the grill? I don’t want to slam the hood down and risking it denting or damaging something because of hitting the cable that must come outside the engine compartment to plug into my wall outlet.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by edb4164

Thanks for the information guys! Will the hood close properly with the power cable dangling out? Or do you run them through the grill? I don’t want to slam the hood down and risking it denting or damaging something because of hitting the cable that must come outside the engine compartment to plug into my wall outlet.

Highly suggest not using the alligator clips, instead use the pigtail with the ring terminals. Then plug the tender into the pig tail. I ran mine out of the wiper cowl.

[TrauCon]

I use the one under the hood as well since I do not want to by pass the car computer as others've said, but I also purchased 2 extension cables where I route the plug to the back of the trunk (I used to have it under the passenger foot area, but the way I park my car in the garage causes pain to use it there).
I like to open the trunk and plug the charger in, not under the hood. Some may say it over killed, but easy enough for a long time convenience.

[chatoyer]

I use the alligator clips and leave the hood open. This way, I can’t drive off without disconnecting.

[No.401_Speed]

I couldn't close the hood with the alligator clips so I swapped them out for the ring connectors and installed the lead wires under the torx bolts. That way I can leave the wires hooked up all year and simply plug the charger into the connector whenever needed.

[PhatLyfe]

i used the optional clip (round connectors and mounted in the red box and ground as suggested, it s night snug fit and I can unclip the charger this way, i can also close the hood as well when you run the wire as suggested under the right headlight.

[PhatLyfe]

[IMG][/IMG]

I hope this helps

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by PhatLyfe

[IMG][/IMG]

I hope this helps

Is that rust??

[Tommy L Garage]

This is what I did

[PhatLyfe]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Is that rust??

there is no rust on this car.. where did you see rust, i can take a close up shot for you as the car is in my garage.

[PhatLyfe]

the manual suggest to mount in the front engine bay..

[Brasko]

I have my CTEK wired/plugged in from under the hood. I leave the hood barely open just in case I need to get under the hood. So far it's worked great.

[brocurls]

Have mine connected via alligator clips in the engine bay and have hood closed. No issues.

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

This is what I did

This is excalty how you should not do it. Your IBS in that case is without any function if your charger is connected directly to the battery.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

This is excalty how you should not do it. Your IBS in that case is without any function if your charger is connected directly to the battery.

Well, what do you expect, it's from Tommy L Garage, a self-professed expert on BMWs...

No one, and I repeat no one, would ever do it this way if they had any knowledge of battery chargers, especially on a BMW. This is what the CTEK "Comfort Connect" connectors were made for, to safely and conveniently connect your CTEK charger to your battery, away from the actual battery.

[papasmurf_m3]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

This is excalty how you should not do it. Your IBS in that case is without any function if your charger is connected directly to the battery.

I just picked up a ctek charger and will connect under the hood for sure.

[623baller]

dumb question, does the hood have to close?