ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe > General BMW Z4 Forum
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-04-2012, 01:32 PM   #1
rsutoratosu
Captain
113
Rep
778
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Trickle Charger for winter..

Is there a battery pack trickle charger for the car that I can get ?

I still haven't store my car because the underground garage does not have a wall charger outlet ANYWHERE ! I have private spot and can take up 2 spots.

The open garage (roof covering only) has outlet but I rather not use because its very busy and doesn't have good security.


So is there like a battery pack trickle charger type that I can charge in the wall, bring it down to the car and let it trickle the battery ?

Thanks..
__________________
-Roranji
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2012, 03:56 PM   #2
Caddyshk
M = Midlife Crisis
Caddyshk's Avatar
Canada
65
Rep
2,006
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Others have suggested buying a regular 12v rechargeable battery pack - putting it in the trunk and using one of the available float type chargers from the likes of Battery Tender.
__________________
2006 Z4MC - #LL93158
SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2012, 04:28 PM   #3
marinb
First Lieutenant
marinb's Avatar
United_States
16
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 2017 911 GTS
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (4)

Why not just pull the battery out of the car? Then you could take it into your house and keep it on the trickle charger there.

Does anyone know of any issues with doing that?
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2012, 05:56 PM   #4
CFoote
Captain
United_States
180
Rep
659
Posts

Drives: '22 M5CS, '00 M5, '06 Z4M
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2022 M5CS  [0.00]
2001 BMW 740i  [0.00]
2006 BMW M Roadster  [0.00]
2012 BMW X6 3.5i  [0.00]
2006 BMW 325xi  [0.00]
2017 BMW 540xi  [0.00]
2000 BMW M5  [0.00]
2001 BMW X5 4.4i  [0.00]
No issues with doing that except you might lose your presets in your car, along with any Bluetooth pairing -- I could be wrong, that stuff could be stored permanently. Otherwise, no issues at all.

Chris
__________________
'22 M5CS, '06 Z4M, '01 X5 4.4i, '00 M5, '05 Acura RL, '12 X6 3.5, '01 740, 08 335xi, '17 540xi (yes they all are still with me)
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2012, 08:49 AM   #5
Hawkeye
Brigadier General
Hawkeye's Avatar
No_Country
2070
Rep
4,365
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Iowa

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I run a battery tender to the trunk but I just close the cord of the charger in the trunk door. It hasn't hurt it for the past 4 years... and they are only like $20 at wally world anyway. Works like a charm when storing over the winter.

I would steer clear of a trickle charger because it can overload your battery, with a tender it makes sure that the power is neither too high nor too low.
__________________
2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP
2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4
2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune
2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2012, 01:41 PM   #6
marinb
First Lieutenant
marinb's Avatar
United_States
16
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 2017 911 GTS
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (4)

I actually use a CTEK smart charger, it has a lot of nice features that other chargers do not have.

http://smartercharger.com/
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2012, 02:41 PM   #7
rsutoratosu
Captain
113
Rep
778
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

my question is... if I take the battery out can anyone confirm that the car will not go into transport mode..

I had this happen to me 3 times last year because I didn't drive it and didn't have a tender on it. Taking it back to dealer and explaining what transport mode is was a huge pain.. waiting hours just to get a guy to reset it
__________________
-Roranji
Appreciate 0
      01-05-2012, 09:48 PM   #8
Kgolf31
Brigadier General
Kgolf31's Avatar
459
Rep
4,531
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (4)

I have my tender running through the driver window, to the battery in the trunk.

I use batterytender, same that BMW uses
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 09:46 AM   #9
rsutoratosu
Captain
113
Rep
778
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

I have a tender already, like I said in my original post.

My underground garage does not have AC outlets anywhere. Its my preferred place to store the car.

My above ground garage which I hate has AC outlets.

i can't tender the battery if there is no AC available
__________________
-Roranji
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 11:58 AM   #10
Ovaltine
floor sweeper
1
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: West Chester, OH

iTrader: (0)

"Transit/transport mode" is from a low battery - this is different than "no" battery. As others have said, simply remove the battery and take it inside where you can leave it on a charger. My battery sits on the corner of my workbench with a Battery Tender Jr. connected all winter. No issues.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 01:58 PM   #11
Gripster
Captain
Gripster's Avatar
United_States
145
Rep
981
Posts

Drives: E93 M3
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2013 BMW M3  [0.00]
I haven't used it yet, but I did the "BMW Advanced Battery Charging System". My car is a second car and is not driven daily.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

I can't tell you if it's any good, but I am a sucker for stuff with a Roundel on it.
__________________
2013 M3 (E93) - ZPP/ZCW/DCT
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/image.php?u=26275&type=sigpic&dateline=1208140506
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 02:03 PM   #12
dmullinsjr
New Member
0
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: E30 M3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Richardson, TX

iTrader: (0)

I use a Battery Tender Jr. on my Z4MC and on my E30 M3. They work great! No issues and the batteries are always fresh and ready.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 02:04 PM   #13
marinb
First Lieutenant
marinb's Avatar
United_States
16
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 2017 911 GTS
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (4)

That BMW Charger is a just a rebranded Battery Tender. BMW has also started rebranding the CTEK chargers... following Porsche's example.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 03:05 PM   #14
Lance_Goodthrust
Private
5
Rep
58
Posts

Drives: 2016 435i Gran Coupe
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
I have my tender running through the driver window, to the battery in the trunk.

I use batterytender, same that BMW uses

Can a CTEK or batterytender be connected to the under-hood connectors?
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 03:52 PM   #15
Kgolf31
Brigadier General
Kgolf31's Avatar
459
Rep
4,531
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lance_Goodthrust View Post
Can a CTEK or batterytender be connected to the under-hood connectors?
I can only comment to Battery Tender.

It's a postive - negative connection hook-up, so you should be able to do it. It will throw an error and tell you it can't charge if this isn't the case.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 05:44 PM   #16
screamindv
Registered
0
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: Z4
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

I have a Battery Tender with an adaptor that goes to the cigarette lighter. Works well. I run the wire through the bottom of the door.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2012, 06:28 PM   #17
marinb
First Lieutenant
marinb's Avatar
United_States
16
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 2017 911 GTS
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lance_Goodthrust View Post
Can a CTEK or batterytender be connected to the under-hood connectors?
Yes, I connect my CTEK under the hood.
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2012, 12:43 PM   #18
tman53
New Member
0
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2006 Interlagos M Coupe
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

My trickle charger works fine under the hood.
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2012, 01:02 PM   #19
NeoGeo
Private First Class
Canada
14
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

I think the majority of the people that have posted a reply do not understand the question. He knows he needs a tender, but he has no AC source to connect the tender to.

The only thing I can recommend is to use a standard powerpack to supply the tender.

You'll have to recharge the powerpack periodically, but you can work out a schedule for that.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2012, 01:44 PM   #20
Shipkiller
Colonel
Shipkiller's Avatar
United_States
187
Rep
2,138
Posts

Drives: Me
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Virginia Beach

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Two options.

Option one as previously stated, take the battery out...

Option two. This is kinda of heavy handed. Put a second battery in the car, either in the trunk or in the engine compartment, and use a set of jumper cables to put the second battery in parallel with the primary battery.
The two batteries, once connected will equalize among themselves and add almost double (or more) the capacity (depending on the second battery size). Once a month, take the second battery out, charge it and put it back in.

Jumper cables is my first thought, but the cables you use do not have to be very heavy. They only have to carry a small amount of current.
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2012, 02:07 PM   #21
screamindv
Registered
0
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: Z4
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

If you have access to the sun, you can try these.

http://www.batterystuff.com/solar-chargers/
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2012, 05:18 PM   #22
Caddyshk
M = Midlife Crisis
Caddyshk's Avatar
Canada
65
Rep
2,006
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Caddyshk View Post
Others have suggested buying a regular 12v rechargeable battery pack - putting it in the trunk and using one of the available float type chargers from the likes of Battery Tender.
Get it done...
__________________
2006 Z4MC - #LL93158
SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:57 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST