Battery charger
Hi,
I just noticed that my battery is not fully charged. The battery indicator is black, not green. I have an old 12V battery charger.
Can I use this charger? Or should I buy the one from BMW?
If I can use it, is there a special procedure to connect it?
Thanks for your advice!
Ben
I just noticed that my battery is not fully charged. The battery indicator is black, not green. I have an old 12V battery charger.
Can I use this charger? Or should I buy the one from BMW?
If I can use it, is there a special procedure to connect it?
Thanks for your advice!
Ben
Hi,
I just noticed that my battery is not fully charged. The battery indicator is black, not green. I have an old 12V battery charger.
Can I use this charger? Or should I buy the one from BMW?
If I can use it, is there a special procedure to connect it?
Thanks for your advice!
Ben
I just noticed that my battery is not fully charged. The battery indicator is black, not green. I have an old 12V battery charger.
Can I use this charger? Or should I buy the one from BMW?
If I can use it, is there a special procedure to connect it?
Thanks for your advice!
Ben
Here's a pretty easy to follow "how-to" ... http://www.battery-chargers.com/char...structions.htm
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I would suggest the Battery Tender brand. The one from BMW is the same one just rebadged and more expensive, as Luigi said. Be sure to get the kind with alligator clips, not the kind that plugs into the lighter plug.
Members
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i CPO bought in Jan 2009
I got the Battery Tender, but it will never get the battery indicator to Green. I think you need a full size battery charger for that. I have one coming in today and hope to use it this weekend. My battery is actually new, but always had the black indicator. I have never had any starting or electrical issues, but want it fully charged anyway (I know I should of had it done when I got it new)
The BMW manual says to connect the charger at the points under the hood, but the Bently manual says standard battery chargers do not have "clean" power and that the battery should be disconnected from the car while charging, that's what I will do.
The BMW manual says to connect the charger at the points under the hood, but the Bently manual says standard battery chargers do not have "clean" power and that the battery should be disconnected from the car while charging, that's what I will do.
I got the Battery Tender, but it will never get the battery indicator to Green. I think you need a full size battery charger for that. I have one coming in today and hope to use it this weekend. My battery is actually new, but always had the black indicator. I have never had any starting or electrical issues, but want it fully charged anyway (I know I should of had it done when I got it new)
The BMW manual says to connect the charger at the points under the hood, but the Bently manual says standard battery chargers do not have "clean" power and that the battery should be disconnected from the car while charging, that's what I will do.
The BMW manual says to connect the charger at the points under the hood, but the Bently manual says standard battery chargers do not have "clean" power and that the battery should be disconnected from the car while charging, that's what I will do.
1.25A or smaller one?
If you have a smaller one that's probably the reason that it takes long time to fully charge.
I have this:

I hook it up at the front terminals and it usually takes overnight to see green.
but the same kind on Ebay is 1/3 cheaper 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-VO...ehicleQ5fParts
Members
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i CPO bought in Jan 2009
Which Battery tender did you get?
1.25A or smaller one?
If you have a smaller one that's probably the reason that it takes long time to fully charge.
I have this:

I hook it up at the front terminals and it usually takes overnight to see green.
Not bad
but the same kind on Ebay is 1/3 cheaper 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-VO...ehicleQ5fParts
1.25A or smaller one?
If you have a smaller one that's probably the reason that it takes long time to fully charge.
I have this:

I hook it up at the front terminals and it usually takes overnight to see green.
Not bad
but the same kind on Ebay is 1/3 cheaper 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-VO...ehicleQ5fParts
On the battery itself. I never really check
I'll check it tonight.
Edit:
I just researched around other forums.
The peek hole only shows one cell of the battery. So that cell has probably gone bad.
Or maybe you may need to add distilled water if your battery is not AGM.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 124
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From: The Great PNW
My Ride: 2005 545i, Silber-grau/grau. Vanilla flavored except for cold WX pkg.
Not bad
but the same kind on Ebay is 1/3 cheaper 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-VO...ehicleQ5fParts
but the same kind on Ebay is 1/3 cheaper 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-VO...ehicleQ5fParts


