Well the whole reason for registering the battery is so your car knows its a new battery and to change it's settings to charge it accordingly using information from via the IBS, correct?.

So I'm not sure how the IBS wouldn't be part of the equation.

************************************

"The IBS contains a micro-processor that is used to monitor/measure various battery conditions such as:

Terminal voltage via measurement from B+ to Gnd
Charge/discharge current via integrated shunt resistor
Temperature of battery acid via integrated temp sensor

Intelligent Battery Sensor

The IBS is able to withstand thermal loads up to 105°C, the chemical effects of the battery acid.

IBS MEASURING/EVALUATION FUNCTION
The measuring/evaluation function of the IBS electronics, continuously measures the following values under all vehicle operating conditions:

Voltage (6V to 16.5V)
Current (200A to +200A)
Closed Circuit Current (0A to 10A)
Starting Current (0A to 1000A)
Temperature (-40C to 105C)

************************************************** ****

Thank you though for your input. Anyone else wanna chime in? Also still looking to see if anyone has objections/reasons why I shouldn't operate the car with the IBS disconnected.

If you have the IBS disconnected, it will default to a target 14.2V system voltage. If your previous battery was registered to that, you're good to go. If it wasn't, your new battery won't be charging optimally and you'll shorten it's life. What's the big deal about getting your battery registered anyway? If you have the app, you can do it yourself. Otherwise, most indies will do it for under $50.

Well if I intend on keeping the IBS off:

1. It wont register, period. (You cannot register a battery with the IBS off)

2. There is no point since the whole purpose of registering the new battery is so that it knows its a new battery and can monitor the output from the battery and from the alternator to the battery via the IBS (which is disconnected)


This is why I'm also asking if it's bad to not use the IBS.

You can run with the IBS disconnected indefinitely, but it will cause the DME to set alternator output to a fixed level, independent of the battery temperature, state of charge and net current flow in the battery. This may slightly shorten your battery life but it's your car, so you can do anything you like. The whole purpose of the IBS is to intercept fluctuations and ensure that an AGM battery never charges more than 14.7v.

So, with a regular FLA battery, registering is useless with or without the IBS?

From a charging and battery life point of view, there is no advantage to AGM batteries - FLAs last just as long as AGMs and are more robust, i.e. are less sensitive to charging rates etc.. AGMs have advantages when it comes to shipping, however, since they are 'spill proof' and therefore need less care in handling.
Respectfully, Bob p.

No, I did not say that. FLAs charge at a higher voltage, but you still need to register (or not register) them for the same reasons above.

But you stated that the only reason for the IBS is to intercept fluctuations and ensure that an AGM is not charged with other than 14.7 v, therefore this need not apply to FLAs.

I think that the IBS serves other purposes and registering is a good idea to maintain the refinements over a "dumb" battery charging system.

Your original statement was misleading, at least from my engineering mind! ;)

Respectfully, Bob P.

If I implied that, I am sorry for your misunderstanding.

Without the IBS in place, the engine idle speed is increased and so is the charging voltage. This is the emergency mode by design. Eventually, the battery will become overcharged. For some people, it is not a big deal, as they simply swap a new battery in its place.

BMW Intelligent Battery Sensor

Thanks everyone!