Anyone else keep their rides on battery tenders 24/7?

[goformitch]

Never run one and had no problems, even with 2-3 weeks of routine down time. It doesn't get too cold or hot here in the PNW so batteries don't tend to stress much. Maybe that helps?

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by Nuge Design

330indy, not to jack the thread but I think we met head on in front of Hinkle a couple of weeks ago... looks like we have the same car... either that or there is at least one more just like ours roaming around

I am on the north side of town.
But I don't think that was me. There is a Titan. Silver in Zionsville as well. I have seen a black metallic(?) dirty M Coupe in the Clay Terrace area, and during the winter...
We should do a cars & coffee sometime/ Sat mornings?

[Nuge Design]

Originally Posted by 330indy

I am on the north side of town.
But I don't think that was me. There is a Titan. Silver in Zionsville as well. I have seen a black metallic(?) dirty M Coupe in the Clay Terrace area, and during the winter...
We should do a cars & coffee sometime/ Sat mornings?

Dat sounds good. Is the a group of regulars for the cars & coffee or are you looking to create said group?

[silver28]

Originally Posted by jman1975

I still have yet to understand this transport mode...first year of ownership of the 2003 Z4 my original battery died on the battery tender during storage; bought a new one and never had issue. Must be a feature on the newer E85s.

I read somewhere that it was a glitch, not sure if just for the e85.

Essentially it's not supposed to go into transport mode when the battery slowly dies. I had that issue when I my car - owner stored the car with no tender.

I bought a new battery plus use a ctek tender 24/7.

[SD ///M4]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but it seemed like the most appropriate place to post this. I searched for which mode to use but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

I just bought a CTEK 3300 mostly for my wife's 2011 335is Coupe. She started reporting that she was having the low battery warning periodically. She's been working a lot for a couple of months now, usually 7 days a week getting the financials ready for the auditors and tax preparers, so the car is pretty much being drive 10 miles to and from her office with no time for weekend canyon carving or any longer trips. We went out for take-out last Friday night and while she was sitting in the car with the radio on the car shut down. Fortunately, it started right up when I returned with the food, but it's clear that her battery need recharging.

The CTEK 3300 arrived today so I thought that I would throw it on my M Roadster until she gets home. There are only three modes with one mode indicated as the "normal setting" and another mode indicated as being "recommended for many AGM batteries like Optima, Maxxima, and Odysses".

My battery is a black BMW OEM battery. Not sure if it's the original battery or if it's a replacement. Which mode should I use to charge the battery in the M? How about the E92?

[EenyBear]

R1200S motorcycle is on a battery tender 24/7 when it's in the garage. Never a hesitation in starting.

If my Z4M wasn't a daily driver it would be on one too. In fact, I'm getting one soon.

This should be a no-brainer for any vehicle that sits for a few days or more on a regular basis. This just makes so much sense to me.

[Finnegan]

SD Z4MR, have same CTEK. I use the agm setting for the M. Been doing that for over 1.5 years. No issues. Battery is good.

Not sure what kind of battery the E92 uses. So can't help there.

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by Incompatible

4/07 build date on mine, factory battery, and no problems. I make it a point to take it out no less then once every two weeks for a minimum of 30 minutes or more. (Now that I've posted this, it's going to die on me.)

Good luck Lance!
I ran mine down while leaving phone and laptop cords plugged in while left in airport parking too many times and it became a questionable component and had it replaced under warranty.
I'm now considering the trickle charger, maybe solar ?

[inTgr8r]

Keep hoping mine will die so I have an excuse for a light weight one

Still on original & yes, use a tender all the time.

[Mirko]

Used the tender a few times during the coldest winter days. My drive to work is only a few km and the car couldn't charge that battery enough. Using the Bosche C3 tender and its a POS.

[Roadie]

Yes, I use the OEM "advanced charging system" tender that plugs directly into the 12 volt lighter socket on my '08. convenient to use and have had no problems after extended periods of winter storage.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by Nuge Design

Dat sounds good. Is the a group of regulars for the cars & coffee or are you looking to create said group?

Let's do a meet as soon as the rains wash off the salt !

[elwesso]

Originally Posted by 330indy

Let's do a meet as soon as the rains wash off the salt !

Let me know if you guys organize anything, my parents live in Anderson so making the trip down isn't very difficult. I'm officially getting the coupe out of storage on Friday.....

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by Twisted Six

Good luck Lance!
I ran mine down while leaving phone and laptop cords plugged in while left in airport parking too many times and it became a questionable component and had it replaced under warranty.
I'm now considering the trickle charger, maybe solar ?

I do not leave anything plugged in, nothing to increase the amount of drain the car's electronics already have. But then again, it might simply be a difference in the battery. Mine is still doing fine, fingers crossed.

I don't know how much truth there is in what I was told by an old time Jag mechanic (Lucas jokes aside): As cars depend increasingly on electronics and require greater constant power when not in use, batteries have become larger/heavier and are more susceptible to drain down problems. Affordable battery technology is slowly falling behind.

[SD ///M4]

That's the last time I resurrect an old thread to ask a new question! Everybody is responding to posts that are over a year old and only one person replied with an answer to my question!

Fin, thanks for replying to my question about which mode to use on the CTEK 3300.

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by SD Z4MR

That's the last time I resurrect an old thread to ask a new question! Everybody is responding to posts that are over a year old and only one person replied with an answer to my question!

Fin, thanks for replying to my question about which mode to use on the CTEK 3300.

Are you really surprised? Glad you got what you needed, sometimes it just takes a little longer.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by SD Z4MR

That's the last time I resurrect an old thread to ask a new question! Everybody is responding to posts that are over a year old and only one person replied with an answer to my question!

Fin, thanks for replying to my question about which mode to use on the CTEK 3300.

I reserve the right since I am the OP

----------

by the way I heard something CRAZY from my indy mechanic this afternoon, that he heard from his trusted Interstate rep.

batteries today are not lasting as long because they are using recycled lead plates, as opposed to fresh cast lead!!
Can you believe that??

[goomanchu]

Mine is original battery in a car that was rarely driven before I got it. '07 with less than 500 miles - purchased last summer. No idea if he had a tender on it, but I was told it was climate controlled garage (a showpiece I guess...). I put 2500 miles on it over next 6 months and garaged it for winter in November. It is on a tender now. Started it several times and no problems, have been curious how long battery would go. Stock tires are also in very good shape. I have them inflated to max pressure and have rotated several times during storage. I do not have car up on blocks or stands.

[Incompatible]

Since this is a battery related thread, it's only appropriate to plug Finnegan's efforts to support our fellow Z owners with his replacement battery reference list thread: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...hlight=battery All are encouraged to contribute. Thanks Finn.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by Incompatible

Since this is a battery related thread, it's only appropriate to plug Finnegan's efforts to support our fellow Z owners with his replacement battery reference list thread: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...hlight=battery All are encouraged to contribute. Thanks Finn.

the battery to get at O'Reilly is this one: 48PLT (AGM) 760 CCA
link
it's no longer called the 48EXT

[4hits]

Originally Posted by Roadie

Yes, I use the OEM "advanced charging system" tender that plugs directly into the 12 volt lighter socket on my '08. convenient to use and have had no problems after extended periods of winter storage.

I've been using this one too, and it works great.

However, the cigarette lighter plug end slipped out of my hand this morning, hit the garage floor, and shattered.

I am thinking I can just buy a replacement plug end. Or will I have to buy a whole new unit?

[Huz-Z]

In case any Canucks want an OEM battery but don't like the usual price, I understand that Canadian BMW dealers have a sale on right now on batteries. My local dealer tells me that the Z4 battery is regular priced at $281, and extra labour charges apply to install and program. (I'm still unsure why they feel "programming" is needed).

But during the sale, you can get a BMW OEM battery, installation and programming, all for $240 plus tax. Still pricier than after market, but not bad for OEM.