Lithium Ion Battery Charger Availability?

[SebastianZ]

CTEK Lithium charges last 2hours at 14.4V rate. I thought that BMW is saying that any charging over 14V will be destroying M3/M4 lithium batteries.

[BernieJay]

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.

IN the M4 the battery is in the trunk, under the floor, wrapped in foam under a cross brace. rather difficult to get to and it is an Li-ion

[ciaranob]

Has anyone checked out Optimate chargers - their version 6 charger will charge/maintain/repair Li-ion batteries and a host of other types including the AGM in my BMW GS1200 motorcycle (sold on Wunderlich USA site and recommended for the Bimmer) - have not yet researched them for the M3/4 but curious if others have (my car is a DD and never stored so not an issue for me - no real winters here!).

[raylist]

Has anyone used this?

http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-263-Co...X6PDS16E60JCRS

Thanks
Ajay

[04cobra]

Had my car on the CTEK charger for 3 weeks now, its in maintain mode (step 8?), seems to be doing just fine. Charger is not warm. We'll see what happens in April!

[soapman72]

Just bought one of the CTEK Lithium chargers... Hopefully these take good care of the battery....

[Stevens21234]

do you guys leave it hooked up to to the battery in the trunk when driving as well? and then just plug it in to a wall outlet when at home?

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Stevens21234

do you guys leave it hooked up to to the battery in the trunk when driving as well? and then just plug it in to a wall outlet when at home?

FYI, BMW recommends to hook the charger in the designated charging points under the hood. As for leaving it permanently in either locations, i personally wouldn't feel comfortable, as the crocodile clamps could dislodge and not sure about having inactive electronics (charger) connected to the battery ... My two cents !

[soapman72]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

FYI, BMW recommends to hook the charger in the designated charging points under the hood. As for leaving it permanently in either locations, i personally wouldn't feel comfortable, as the crocodile clamps could dislodge and not sure about having inactive electronics (charger) connected to the battery ... My two cents !

Actually, the CTEK lithium charger comes with a separate cord that has eyelets instead of clips. This can be permanently connected to the jump start post, amd a nearby ground with no fear of disconnecting or shorting out. This is what I did.

For the record, the charger is not left connected to the car, as the short cord has a quick disconnect plug that is capped, making it weatherproof. Just pop the hood and connect when the car will sit for extended periods.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by soapman72

Actually, the CTEK lithium charger comes with a separate cord that has eyelets instead of clips. This can be permanently connected to the jump start post, amd a nearby ground with no fear of disconnecting or shorting out. This is what I did.

For the record, the charger is not left connected to the car, as the short cord has a quick disconnect plug that is capped, making it weatherproof. Just pop the hood and connect when the car will sit for extended periods.

ok that is different, if you're only leaving the eyelets, then whats the big deal to connect those too as well the charger to the car when you need to ?

I thought the above poster wanted to leave the whole charger inside ... BTW, i'd also feel nervous leaving short cables connected to the battery charging posts ... I'd have to really zip tie it, and weather proof it 100%, the pic attached doesn't show the cap !

[MasterP]

Originally Posted by raylist

Has anyone used this?

http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-263-Co...X6PDS16E60JCRS

Thanks
Ajay

My 12C uses this for the OEM Tender (rebadged CTEK). It's straight forward. It goes into the 12V DC port and charges the car. The only drawback is the DC port on the F8X is in the cabin so you have to leave a window cracked and you'll likely have to put the CTEK box inside the car. 12C has a DC port in the frunk.

Originally Posted by aboulfad

ok that is different, if you're only leaving the eyelets, then whats the big deal to connect those too as well the charger to the car when you need to ?

I thought the above poster wanted to leave the whole charger inside ... BTW, i'd also feel nervous leaving short cables connected to the battery charging posts ... I'd have to really zip tie it, and weather proof it 100%, the pic attached doesn't show the cap !

The pic doesn't show the cap because the cap is flush with the connector when its sealed. It's not plainly obvious. You don't really need to zip tie it. The M6 ring terminal comfort connector is doesn't flop around at all in the compartment. You actually have to spread the cables so the terminals can reach their prospective posts. I ran the cable under the fender rail so really only the connector pokes up.

[jcote258]

Anyone use the NOCO Genius G3500?

http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ult.../dp/B004LWVEKS

I can get a killer deal on it and it looks like it does 12V lithium batteries. Any thoughts? Really only need it for coding, can I just use a regular 12V 3 Amp battery charger to keep juice in the battery for an hour or so?

[peterparker]

Originally Posted by jcote258

Anyone use the NOCO Genius G3500?

http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ult.../dp/B004LWVEKS

I can get a killer deal on it and it looks like it does 12V lithium batteries. Any thoughts? Really only need it for coding, can I just use a regular 12V 3 Amp battery charger to keep juice in the battery for an hour or so?

Killer deal... Pftt.

http://sellout.woot.com/?utm_campaig...Woot+Plus+Feed

I was going to buy the one on amazon too till I found this!

[jcote258]

Originally Posted by peterparker

Killer deal... Pftt.

http://sellout.woot.com/?utm_campaig...Woot+Plus+Feed

I was going to buy the one on amazon too till I found this!

That is the deal I was referring to, I was just referencing the one on amazon

[RocketBoots]

Originally Posted by jcote258

Anyone use the NOCO Genius G3500?

http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ult.../dp/B004LWVEKS

I can get a killer deal on it and it looks like it does 12V lithium batteries. Any thoughts? Really only need it for coding, can I just use a regular 12V 3 Amp battery charger to keep juice in the battery for an hour or so?

You guys are hilarious. You're sweating $60? The CTEK, which is not only tried/true, but the one recommended and used by the OEM, is $100. It's not like it's $4000. I personally would gladly pay an extra $60 and get the CTEK for my $1000 battery (and I did )

BTW, you totally don't need it for coding; just get everything ready in advance. Even if you don't, you can turn on the car and it will have no power drain, and no danger of shutting off in the middle of the session. If you'll be using battery power for extended periods of time (like listening to or tuning an audio system), it's best to get an external power supply.

[peterparker]

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

You guys are hilarious. You're sweating $60? The CTEK, which is not only tried/true, but the one recommended and used by the OEM, is $100. It's not like it's $4000. I personally would gladly pay an extra $60 and get the CTEK for my $1000 battery (and I did )

BTW, you totally don't need it for coding; just get everything ready in advance. Even if you don't, you can turn on the car and it will have no power drain, and no danger of shutting off in the middle of the session. If you'll be using battery power for extended periods of time (like listening to or tuning an audio system), it's best to get an external power supply.

Thanks for making me look into the CTEK brand. Noco was my first choice because it's sponsored (paid sponsor?) by Amazon.

Originally Posted by jcote258

That is the deal I was referring to, I was just referencing the one on amazon

After doing some review, I think I'd rather get the CTEK one.. Better reviews and of course it's preferred by everyone on this forum. Plus, you really can't have a device that does it all. Lithium + Standard batteries.. Erm no.

Since I have an e90 335i (AGM battery) and only need this as a backup power source during my flash. The MHD flash takes about 50 minutes...
I'm going with the CTEK (56-864) MUS 4.3 for $60

[aboulfad]

@peterparker and others, just FYI and in case if you ever plan to flash a module that takes long, better go with a PSU and not a 4.3Amps trickle charger. Some people flashed small/quick modules by ensuring battery is topped with the CTEK lithium, but I wouldn't risk it.

[RickMonet]

My car has been sitting in the garage for the past 2 months. Started right up like normal today.

Put it on the CTEK charger anyway and took about 8 hours to get to level 7.

[clutchdj]

i have the ctek thanks to the forum link. nice little charger. cheaper than a new battery.

[aboulfad]

This just popped up in Amazon, http://tecmate.com/products/optimatelith5a/, it seems to be another good charger for our batteries. A bit more intelligent than the CTEK, albeit a big bigger and from another European company. They confirmed that this works for our cars and other LifePO4 equipped vehicles. FYI here's an interesting comparison between battery technologies.

Mine is on its way!

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

This just popped up in Amazon, http://tecmate.com/products/optimatelith5a/, it seems to be another good charger for our batteries. A bit more intelligent than the CTEK, albeit a big bigger and from another European company. They confirmed that this works for our cars and other LifePO4 equipped vehicles. FYI here's an interesting comparison between battery technologies.

Mine is on its way!

I'll probably get this one also...use optimate on my motorcycle (7 months a year) and it does great.

[aboulfad]

Yep, I've been using the Optimate Lithium charger with zero issues!