Battery tender

[tmntmn]

About to go buy a battery tender since my car going to be parked for a couple weeks, do I hook it up directly to the battery or the connections in the engine bay?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by tmntmn

About to go buy a battery tender since my car going to be parked for a couple weeks, do I hook it up directly to the battery or the connections in the engine bay?

I have the CTEC Multi XS 7000 and works perfect,in the kit is a cable with 2- O- rings they go direct on - pole and + pole of the battery in the trunk and stay there, this cable has a central connector and with one click... takes 5 sec. i charge the battery >http://www.horsepowerinabox.com/HPIAB2/prod515.htm

[1MOREMOD]

i have always connected under the hood but either should work fine. just pain that cover has to come off in the trunk area.

[哇靠M3]

I have mine plugged under the hood yesterday. Bought it and used it for the first time.
Just so you know, I had mine charged for 6 hrs and it did not change to green. Car was still showing low battery. Looks like i'll need to keep it on for more than 10+ hrs.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

i have always connected under the hood but either should work fine. just pain that cover has to come off in the trunk area.

No,no ....my central connector comes out under that cover it's just a little connector...and stay's there ...one click and i charge,very ..very easy

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by 哇靠M3

I have mine plugged under the hood yesterday. Bought it and used it for the first time.
Just so you know, I had mine charged for 6 hrs and it did not change to green. Car was still showing low battery. Looks like i'll need to keep it on for more than 10+ hrs.

Direct on battery is way faster to charge ...i did the test

[tmntmn]

anyone use this tender before?

Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger

[Hagasan41]

I've used it for years but haven't hooked it up to the M3 yet since I just picked it up a week ago. Great charger! You'll love it and get a lot of use out of it.

[M3]

Originally Posted by tmntmn

anyone use this tender before?

Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger

It does the work flawlessly everytime.

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

No,no ....my central connector comes out under that cover it's just a little connector...and stay's there ...one click and i charge,very ..very easy

Yep, this. I keep mine connected directly to the battery as well, and have the connector for the battery peeking out from under the cover.

I'm in a private parking garage with no access to electricity, so I am using a Battery Tender Solar 10 watt panel on the E92, and a 5 watt panel on the E46. The panels sit in a garage with frosted windows, and still gets enough light to trickle charge the cars.

As a data point, the E46 started strong after 8 weeks of sitting idle on the solar charger with no issues. Normally at 4 weeks it would be a hard crank to start, and at 6 weeks the car would basically be dead.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by alee0729

Yep, this. I keep mine connected directly to the battery as well, and have the connector for the battery peeking out from under the cover.

I'm in a private parking garage with no access to electricity, so I am using a Battery Tender Solar 10 watt panel on the E92, and a 5 watt panel on the E46. The panels sit in a garage with frosted windows, and still gets enough light to trickle charge the cars.

As a data point, the E46 started strong after 8 weeks of sitting idle on the solar charger with no issues. Normally at 4 weeks it would be a hard crank to start, and at 6 weeks the car would basically be dead.

Spot on ....

[MA///M3]

I have used it and it works great.

[mkPOTO]

Originally Posted by tmntmn

anyone use this tender before?

Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger

have it as well, love it and works perfectly fine. And I run it under the hood

[White 13]

**Edit: To answer my own question. We have AGM batteries not Gel Cell batteries. The 021-0156 is for Gel Cell batteries. I believe the 021-0128 is the correct charger.**

I looked up the Battery Tender 021-0128 on Amazon and noticed just below it they now have a Battery Tender 021-0156 that is made for gel cell batteries. Sounds better suited to ours; anyone tried it?

[tmntmn]

Originally Posted by White 13

I looked up the Battery Tender 021-0128 on Amazon and noticed just below it they now have a Battery Tender 021-0156 that is made for gel cell batteries. Sounds better suited to ours; anyone tried it?

I notice that also but decided to pick up the other one since everyone is using it just fine.

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

have it as well, love it and works perfectly fine. And I run it under the hood

Thanks. i just place my order ill hook it up when i get it, do you have any pictures of it all hooked up on your car?

Originally Posted by MA///M3

I have used it and it works great.

thanks

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Spot on ....

Originally Posted by alee0729

Yep, this. I keep mine connected directly to the battery as well, and have the connector for the battery peeking out from under the cover.

I'm in a private parking garage with no access to electricity, so I am using a Battery Tender Solar 10 watt panel on the E92, and a 5 watt panel on the E46. The panels sit in a garage with frosted windows, and still gets enough light to trickle charge the cars.

As a data point, the E46 started strong after 8 weeks of sitting idle on the solar charger with no issues. Normally at 4 weeks it would be a hard crank to start, and at 6 weeks the car would basically be dead.

i might hook it up in the front, but everyone said its takes longer to charge, how long can you keep the tender hooked up to the car?

Originally Posted by M3

It does the work flawlessly everytime.

Originally Posted by Hagasan41

I've used it for years but haven't hooked it up to the M3 yet since I just picked it up a week ago. Great charger! You'll love it and get a lot of use out of it.

i can hook it up and leave it for weeks right? or do i have to unplug it once its full?

[///M Power-Belgium]

You asked...how long hooked up to the car ?
Actualy my CTEC Multi XS 7000 was hooked up to my battery for more than 4 months,i don't drive my car in wintertime (roadsalt !) and had no problems,my battery is still in top condition ,the CTEC is actualy a trickle charger,and prolongs the lifetime of our battery

[tmntmn]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

You asked...how long hooked up to the car ?
Actualy my CTEC Multi XS 7000 was hooked up to my battery for more than 4 months,i don't drive my car in wintertime (roadsalt !) and had no problems,my battery is still in top condition ,the CTEC is actualy a trickle charger,and prolongs the lifetime of our battery

so i should have any problem leaving it hooked to my car for over a month?



sorry for all the question i never used a battery tender before

[slicer]

Originally Posted by tmntmn

so i should have any problem leaving it hooked to my car for over a month?



sorry for all the question i never used a battery tender before

Yes that is the whole point of the battery tender. It's not a quick charger. It for maintaining your battery charge without overcharging like some quick chargers will do. It can remain hooked up indefinitely.

[tmntmn]

Originally Posted by slicer

Yes that is the whole point of the battery tender. It's not a quick charger. It for maintaining your battery charge without overcharging like some quick chargers will do. It can remain hooked up indefinitely.

Thanks!

[哇靠M3]

this is how i keep my hooked up..



I keep the hood open since I park in a garage.

[tmntmn]

Originally Posted by 哇靠M3

this is how i keep my hooked up..



I keep the hood open since I park in a garage.

i hooked it up the same way but kept my hood semi closed, hooked it up for over 16hrs and its barely blinking green

[哇靠M3]

Originally Posted by tmntmn

i hooked it up the same way but kept my hood semi closed, hooked it up for over 16hrs and its barely blinking green

Thanks for the info. I hooked it up for 6hrs the first time... The lights didn't change and it was still solid red. Thought the charger was broken. I put it back on the tender this morning and will keep it on longer to see what happens. Getting sick of the stupid clock problem.

Originally Posted by alee0729

Yep, this. I keep mine connected directly to the battery as well, and have the connector for the battery peeking out from under the cover.

I'm in a private parking garage with no access to electricity, so I am using a Battery Tender Solar 10 watt panel on the E92, and a 5 watt panel on the E46. The panels sit in a garage with frosted windows, and still gets enough light to trickle charge the cars.

As a data point, the E46 started strong after 8 weeks of sitting idle on the solar charger with no issues. Normally at 4 weeks it would be a hard crank to start, and at 6 weeks the car would basically be dead.

How did you hook it up? I would like to see pics... also any problems with keeping it on the battery all the time?