Member Since: 10 Mar 2008
Location: Aarhus
Posts: 230
CTEK MXS 7 for keeping battery up to its tasks
Well after 10 care-free months of ownership my Disco failed twice in a week.
First failure 10 days ago: No power and a LOT of faulty error messages (e.g. "gear lever not in P" - which it was). Jump started and took it to the dealers: 2 days later it was "released", everything sorted...
Not so; after 4 days, again no power and a lot of faulty error message; ironically, the last message displayed before all power disappeared was "Low battery - start engine" - Idiots! that is what I am trying!
Well, back to the dealer and the battery has been switched.
Now the question: I have a CTEK MXS 7 charger plugged into my 1990 Alfa Romeo Spider to keep it ready for an impromptu drive at all times.
Is it safe to use this charger also for keeping the Disco's battery up to its tasks? and if so, do I just attached the charger directly to the +/- on the battery or should I earth it somewhere else?
Thank you!
19th Aug 2015 2:32 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
I use the cteks on mine frequently, usually through the tow electrics though.
When I do connect it to the battery I usually connect the negative to a good earth rather than the battery post. I use the FBH bracket which works fine for me
19th Aug 2015 2:37 pm
integrale
Member Since: 10 Mar 2008
Location: Aarhus
Posts: 230
Thx.
I can't use the tow electrics (insufficient number of pins, apparently...) and I think the CTEK solution is just as easy as I can leave the "easy-connect" plug-in attached to the battery at all times.
BTW: did I mention you have a nice avatar?!?
19th Aug 2015 3:10 pm
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
It is better to connect the -ve of the easy connect to the body next to the battery rather than the battery -ve post on a D4. If you connect both to the battery the battery monitoring system gets confused as to the state of charge.
19th Aug 2015 4:37 pm
integrale
Member Since: 10 Mar 2008
Location: Aarhus
Posts: 230
Good point, thank you!
19th Aug 2015 4:40 pm
CUCO
Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Spain & Oleee!!!
Posts: 609
As discoteca said.
19th Aug 2015 6:34 pm
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi intergral, regardless of the potential BMS problems in a D4, you should never connect a charging supply to the negative ( - ) terminal of any vehicle’s battery.
It’s a safety issue. For a number of reasons, where a battery may be caused to gas and connecting to the positive ( + ) terminal is done first, and is safe, but when connecting the negative lead, you will complete a circuit and this may cause a spark, which can, and does on a too regular bases, ignites the gas.
With your D4, simply connect the positive lead to the cranking batteries positive ( + ) terminal.
Then connect the chargers negative lead to one of the two earth studs in the inner guard, just in front of the battery compartment.
This makes for an easy and safe connection. Just make sure you get a good connection by removing some of the paint of the nut.
Click image to enlarge
2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
3rd Sep 2015 2:20 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18563
integrale wrote:
I can't use the tow electrics (insufficient number of pins, apparently...)
Why do you have insufficient pins?06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
3rd Sep 2015 2:47 pm
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
I leave the -ve wire of the CTEK easy connect connected onto the body ground post shown in the above picture. The easy connect has enough wire length to connect to the +ve post of the battery and the body ground shown. I then cable tied the easy connect connector to the top of the FBH mounting bracket so it didn't flap around when the charger wasn't connected to it - also means you don't have to remove the battery box cover to connect the charger.
3rd Sep 2015 2:52 pm
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
As Martin requested, why not enough pins???
You would be far better off with one of Martins adapter plugs and the you could leave your D4 locked up but still charge your battery.
Member Since: 10 Mar 2008
Location: Aarhus
Posts: 230
Martin wrote:
integrale wrote:
I can't use the tow electrics (insufficient number of pins, apparently...)
Why do you have insufficient pins?
I was not sufficiently precise. Sorry about that. I have the 12N socket with 7 pins and no direct battery connection; snip from the above link:
Quote:
Please note that if you have ONLY a 12N socket (7 pins, BLACK cap) as shown in the 5th photo above it does not have the direct battery connection required and you cannot charge through the socket using an adapter.
Is this not still true?
Thank you all for the "heads up" on not connecting to the "-terminal"; I was aware of the safety issues.
I have fitted the charger and grounded it. Further, I can close the bonnet when charging so the car is locked during charge.
Thank you for the good advice and very helpfull comments
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