Lithium Ion Battery Charger Availability?

jbtco · 12-05-2014, 10:01 AM

Got CTEK yesterday, won't be storing the car but tend to do a lot of short runs in winter with lights, heated seats, rear window etc all working and having had problems with all my M cars over the years decided to play it safe and restore to full charge from time to time as well as having back up for emergencies.

Very easy to use with no apparent problems.

pharm3 · 12-05-2014, 02:15 PM

Does anybody know if BMW is offering a charger for the lithium batteries yet? I went in today to ask and 3 of the parts/service guys didn't know anything about it being a lithium ion battery. They searched the BMW site and ordered the charger that came up when they entered the 2015 M3 filters. I'm not confident it's the right one - and reading through this thread I'm questioning it even more.

Should I cancel and just get the CTek charger?

E92LNGCGY · 12-05-2014, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharm3

Does anybody know if BMW is offering a charger for the lithium batteries yet? I went in today to ask and 3 of the parts/service guys didn't know anything about it being a lithium ion battery. They searched the BMW site and ordered the charger that came up when they entered the 2015 M3 filters. I'm not confident it's the right one - and reading through this thread I'm questioning it even more.

Should I cancel and just get the CTek charger?

Doesn't look like BMW will offer a LI charger anytime soon. Best to get Ctek. BMW may bring one out later and most likely a rebranded Ctek anyways and there will be a BMW premium.

Also when I spoke to the parts guys here they also thought there is a charger for the M4 but turns out it is just a standard charger that would not work for our cars.

pharm3 · 12-05-2014, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

Doesn't look like BMW will offer a LI charger anytime soon. Best to get Ctek. BMW may bring one out later and most likely a rebranded Ctek anyways and there will be a BMW premium.

Also when I spoke to the parts guys here they also thought there is a charger for the M4 but turns out it is just a standard charger that would not work for our cars.

Thanks. I'll cancel that order.

peter_s · 12-08-2014, 03:49 AM

I got a CTEK as well. My car is is storage now and charging fine

Caruso0644 · 12-16-2014, 03:31 PM

Just ordered the Ctek on Amazon for $97.00 Shipped.

dave885 · 12-21-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caruso0644

Just ordered the Ctek on Amazon for $97.00 Shipped.

+1. Got mine from Amazon too.

Tony007 · 12-21-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave885

+1. Got mine from Amazon too.

Just ordered mine from Amazon as well.

w00tw00t · 12-21-2014, 06:09 PM

so a regular old battery tender won't work??

peter_s · 12-22-2014, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

so a regular old battery tender won't work??

No, I wouldn't risk it. As I understand it LiIon batteries shut off if you hit them with more than 14V, normal chargers usually charges with 14,6V

The CTEK is a great option. If you have problems finding a LiIon charger visit your local motorcycle shop. Many sports bikes have the same batteries.

w00tw00t · 12-22-2014, 10:51 AM

Good to know, I'll look around my local shops today for a CTEK...

FeeBear · 12-23-2014, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave885

+1. Got mine from Amazon too.

Hey Guys,

I have one too, how long has it taken before you gone from Bulk Charge (To 90%) to almost full. I am at 15 hours and still on bulk charge. Also did you guys plug it into the Battery Terminals in the trunk or via the terminals in the hood of the car?

Fee

E92LNGCGY · 12-23-2014, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeeBear

Hey Guys,

I have one too, how long has it taken before you gone from Bulk Charge (To 90%) to almost full. I am at 15 hours and still on bulk charge. Also did you guys plug it into the Battery Terminals in the trunk or via the terminals in the hood of the car?

Fee

I don't know exactly how long mine took but it was a few hours.

I plugged my under the hood.

FeeBear · 12-23-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

I don't know exactly how long mine took but it was a few hours.

I plugged my under the hood.

It is pretty clear where the positive terminal is, where did you plug the Negative Terminal? On the Chassis?

Fee

E92LNGCGY · 12-23-2014, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeeBear

It is pretty clear where the positive terminal is, where did you plug the Negative Terminal? On the Chassis?

Fee

Correct right on the chassis.

rubber_ducky · 01-06-2015, 08:27 AM

Anybody have thoughts on this charger/tender:

http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ult...productDetails

...appears that it will work with both lead/AGM and lithium-ion batteries. Seems that either the 3.5A or 7.2A unit will work for winter storage.

E90Fleet · 01-15-2015, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber_ducky

Anybody have thoughts on this charger/tender:

http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ult...productDetails

...appears that it will work with both lead/AGM and lithium-ion batteries. Seems that either the 3.5A or 7.2A unit will work for winter storage.

Ctek is sold by BMW outside the USA. Many BMW dealers here use them on their floor stock.
Their quality is known and they last forever.
Would rather stick to a known and tested brand since I have had others fail on normal batteries necessitating replacement.,

BuLoOoSki · 01-25-2015, 03:06 PM

I know that the F8X battery is a Lithium Ion battery, but does anyone know what's it chemical compound?

The reason I'm asking is because the CTEK Lithium US/XS charger is specifically for the Lithium Iron Phosphate (type of Lithium Ion) batteries, and I know that Lithium Ion batteries can come in different Chemical compounds like Lithium Manganese Oxide.

So has anyone looked into this or know the chemical compound of the F8X battery?

GregW / Oregon · 01-28-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuLoOoSki

I know that the F8X battery is a Lithium Ion battery, but does anyone know what's it chemical compound?

The reason I'm asking is because the CTEK Lithium US/XS charger is specifically for the Lithium Iron Phosphate (type of Lithium Ion) batteries, and I know that Lithium Ion batteries can come in different Chemical compounds like Lithium Manganese Oxide.

So has anyone looked into this or know the chemical compound of the F8X battery?

It is Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4). (Source: BMW Technical Training document)

BuLoOoSki · 01-29-2015, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

It is Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4). (Source: BMW Technical Training document)

Thanks for confirming that!

AYTifosi · 04-01-2015, 12:36 PM

I have a CTEK battery charger / tender. The place for the positive cable is obvious. Where are you guys locating the ground cable?

Thanks.

E90Fleet · 04-01-2015, 12:48 PM

These are the Engine bay ground points used

Lower one in the pic is what dealers use with the battery clamps

12-05-2014, 10:01 AM	#23
jbtco Captain 163 Rep 641 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Got CTEK yesterday, won't be storing the car but tend to do a lot of short runs in winter with lights, heated seats, rear window etc all working and having had problems with all my M cars over the years decided to play it safe and restore to full charge from time to time as well as having back up for emergencies. Very easy to use with no apparent problems. __________________ M2 competition, Alpine White Previously Owned : X3 M 40i, F80 M3 Comp Pack, DCT, Yas Marina Blue, F80 M3, DCT , E92 M3 Comp Pack, E92 M3, Z4MC, E46 M3 CS, E46 M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-05-2014, 02:15 PM	#24
pharm3 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2009 Subaru WRX STi Join Date: May 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	Does anybody know if BMW is offering a charger for the lithium batteries yet? I went in today to ask and 3 of the parts/service guys didn't know anything about it being a lithium ion battery. They searched the BMW site and ordered the charger that came up when they entered the 2015 M3 filters. I'm not confident it's the right one - and reading through this thread I'm questioning it even more. Should I cancel and just get the CTek charger?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2014, 03:49 AM	#27
peter_s Private First Class 38 Rep 143 Posts Drives: M2, Datsun 280Z, MGB GTS V8 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Gothenburg iTrader: (0)	I got a CTEK as well. My car is is storage now and charging fine __________________ 7:51,4 BTG BMW M4, 8:35 BTG Mini Clubman S, 8:56,6 BTG Swift Stage 2 208 laps on the Nordschleife
	Appreciate 1 Quote

12-16-2014, 03:31 PM	#28
Caruso0644 Lieutenant 35 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 08' 335i / 15' M4 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Albany,NY iTrader: (1)	Just ordered the Ctek on Amazon for $97.00 Shipped. __________________ JB5 : Reflector Delete : Black sidemarkers and grills : M-Sport Carbon Defuser : Meisterchaft GT2 exhaust : H&R Springs : 45% Carbon Tint
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2014, 06:09 PM	#31
w00tw00t Colonel 408 Rep 2,171 Posts Drives: 2016 MW M4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (13)	so a regular old battery tender won't work??
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2014, 10:51 AM	#33
w00tw00t Colonel 408 Rep 2,171 Posts Drives: 2016 MW M4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (13)	Good to know, I'll look around my local shops today for a CTEK...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2015, 08:27 AM	#38
rubber_ducky Colonel 386 Rep 2,989 Posts Drives: roach coach Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: boston-ish iTrader: (21)	Anybody have thoughts on this charger/tender: http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ult...productDetails ...appears that it will work with both lead/AGM and lithium-ion batteries. Seems that either the 3.5A or 7.2A unit will work for winter storage.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2015, 03:06 PM	#40
BuLoOoSki Colonel 749 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kuwait iTrader: (9)	I know that the F8X battery is a Lithium Ion battery, but does anyone know what's it chemical compound? The reason I'm asking is because the CTEK Lithium US/XS charger is specifically for the Lithium Iron Phosphate (type of Lithium Ion) batteries, and I know that Lithium Ion batteries can come in different Chemical compounds like Lithium Manganese Oxide. So has anyone looked into this or know the chemical compound of the F8X battery? __________________ 2015 BMW F80 M3: Tractive EDC Suspension / Dinan Anti-Roll Bars / GC Camber Plates / KMP Dual Diff Mount / Girodisc Rotors / GT4 Brake Cooling Kit / PTF Flash Tune / Eisenmann Downpipes / CSF Heat Exchanger / BMS Charge Pipes 2007 BMW E92 335i (SOLD): BMS JB4 / Quaife LSD / Riss Racing DPs / Helix Intercooler / BMS Intake / STETT Charge Pipe / Forge DVs
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2015, 12:36 PM	#43
AYTifosi Captain 442 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW F82 M4 [10.00]	Battery tender ground? I have a CTEK battery charger / tender. The place for the positive cable is obvious. Where are you guys locating the ground cable? Thanks. __________________ 2015 AY M4
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2015, 12:48 PM	#44
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	These are the Engine bay ground points used Lower one in the pic is what dealers use with the battery clamps Attached Images __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
	Appreciate 1 Quote