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Trickle Charger

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Old 01-07-2009, 05:47 PM
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Just an FYI, called the dealer and asked him to verify where to connect the Tender.....they said that the JUMPER POSTS under the hood are the "best" locations.
Old 01-08-2009, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by sixcard' post='753018' date='Dec 26 2008, 05:16 PM
There have been several incidents where on starting, I would get an ?initialize? active steering (AS) warning accompanied by much of the instrument cluster (clock, date, accumulated mpg and mph) being zeroed. The AS activates in a few minutes of driving.

Early in 2008 the dealer said the problem was fixed via a software update.

When it began again in the last few weeks I took it back to the dealer. Now they tell me the only fix is to use a trickle charger.

Seems that I drive too many short trips and the battery cannot recover the charge. In a sense, the battery charge just gradually fades until it cannot crank the engine without stealing from other needs.

Actually, I guess this could make sense. So BMW should come equipped like a golf cart. Built in trickle charger with a plug in receptacle (next to a Roundel) so I can plug it in when I garage the car, right? For $72K that seems reasonable. I had to get near profanity to get them to buy the charger for me.

I am not an electrical engineer, but I know a bit about volts, amp, watts, their relationship and DC power. How about a larger capacity battery and/or alternator? No dealer rep suggested a new battery.

BMWs are top of the line in my book. But they just can?t seem to build a car for an old fart that just drives to the grocery store and liquor store once a week, and burns the cobs out once a month.

Besides empathy, can anyone shed more light on this issue?

Can I find an official BMW document that discusses this issue?

Thanks sixcard
Old 01-08-2009, 07:25 AM
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i guess the issue is with your dealer, not your car.... i leave mine for 10-15 days when i travel (which i do frequently) and dont get a battery drain....

could it be that you have some ad-ons (non OEM) that drain the battery while its parked?
Old 01-08-2009, 06:13 PM
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Hi Egypt,

I respectfully disagree with you comment. I do believe this is a design problem with our E60s. I think it is not only a function of how long the car sets idle, but rather how often, how fast and how far it is driven between shuts.

It has to charge enough to recover all the amp/hours used between charges. I routinely run with my headlights in the #2 position because I like to have oncoming vehicles know I am on the way. I would guess that BMW and all their operatives would say, ?Ah ha! there is the culprit.? In other words I chose to operate my E60 in a mode that they did not predict, so they blame me and tell me to fix it by affixing a trickle charger at my expense (which, BTW, I have done).

Be my guess, also, that they fix this promptly in new editions so as to quell this issue.

I think their argument, excuse and solution is legitimate, but none the less an admission that they under designed the electrical system. Next we will see a larger (or perhaps two) batteries. Or a higher capacity alternator or maybe just a smaller pulley on the alternator. And who knows, maybe a built in trickle charger with a 120VAC receptacle next to the Roundel on the truck lid.

This puts BMW nearer the bush league than I am comfortable with, but I still think I have the best thing going on the road that?s with in my reach.

sixcard
Old 01-08-2009, 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by CWS530' post='757494' date='Jan 1 2009, 11:50 PM
Oh, I thought you were going directly to the source in the trunk somehow. My bad. There wasn't anything in the instructions nor did my SA mention anything about ventilation. I haven't had any issues yet. Never thought about it since the battery must be vented somehow by design. Hmmm. Since it's just trickling in to top off as needed and not constantly sending a charge, I wouldn't imagine there would be any gases beyond what is normal in a fully charged battery, however.

Funny thing: I saw a Deltran at Autozone and second guessed on buying it, opting instead to order a "BMW" one from Garry. So I open the box and the instructions are from Deltran and their logo is printed on the back of the unit!

Can you please give us the model (number) from Deltran?
Thanks
Old 01-08-2009, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ponnu' post='763266' date='Jan 8 2009, 10:02 PM
Can you please give us the model (number) from Deltran?
Thanks
This is the one I'm using -- it's the Battery Tender Plus

http://www.pacificbattery.com/batterytender0128.html
Old 01-09-2009, 08:46 AM
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Can we use the cigarette lighter plug inside the trunk to plug in the battery tender?
Old 01-09-2009, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by salaki' post='763703' date='Jan 9 2009, 11:46 AM
Can we use the cigarette lighter plug inside the trunk to plug in the battery tender?
No sir. It has to be the type that has clips for the e60. Just hook them up to the jump terminals under the hood.
Old 01-09-2009, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by ramtip' post='763324' date='Jan 8 2009, 11:04 PM
This is the one I'm using -- it's the Battery Tender Plus

http://www.pacificbattery.com/batterytender0128.html
Ponnu, I'm pretty sure this is the same unit I bought from Garry, only the face plate says BMW. It's about that size. I paid something like $50-60 if I recall correctly, so this one at $46 w/ free shipping is a deal. When I get home, I'll check on the numbers, as I'm curious now. GL.
Old 01-09-2009, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by CWS530' post='763750' date='Jan 9 2009, 12:33 PM
No sir. It has to be the type that has clips for the e60. Just hook them up to the jump terminals under the hood.
I ended up attaching the hardwire cable directly into the battery in the trunk.

but then I saw there's a cigarette lighter plug in the trunk and I was thinking if that cig lighter is directly connected into the battery w/ fuse then that would be a perfect "convenience" way to connect.


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