Battery Tender

elm3 · 11-22-2016, 10:55 AM

What battery tender are you all using on your f85/f86 X5M/X6M?

Thank you.

Eric

AwesomeM3 · 11-22-2016, 11:42 AM

Deltran Battery Tender...on sale now at Costco. I have three, one for the X5M, M3 and Corvette.

http://www.costco.com/Battery-Tender...100241973.html

onfireX5 · 11-22-2016, 11:51 AM

+1

elm3 · 11-22-2016, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

Deltran Battery Tender...on sale now at Costco. I have three, one for the X5M, M3 and Corvette.

http://www.costco.com/Battery-Tender...100241973.html

Ok awesome, so just a regular tender. So our batteries are not Lithium Ion, like the ones on the f8x M3/M4?

ajob · 11-22-2016, 01:29 PM

I'm using a CTEK 8amp universal charger, same make as BMW's proprietary one, but able to charge many more battery types. It has advanced battery management functions and can remain connected for months without any user intervention.

All recent BMWs use AGM batteries (Absorbed Glass Mat), therefore set the charger for AGM battery type (slightly higher final voltage).

First thing after parking in my garage I always connect the charger; the idea is to externally power the cooling fans and pumps - who may run up to 15 min after engine shutdown - with the charger instead from the battery. I believe that the electrical energy used by these cooling cycles - probably 1-3 Ah each - is the main reason for the short battery life of our cars.

AwesomeM3 · 11-22-2016, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elm3

Ok awesome, so just a regular tender. So our batteries are not Lithium Ion, like the ones on the f8x M3/M4?

From another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNoSol

X5m has 2 batteries, 90mah + 50mah. X50i has a single 90mah while X35i has a single 105mah (which is strange, but I bet the X50i has lithium vs standard - the maintenance scheduled of the X50i is less frequent on the battery compared to X35i). X35d has 2 batteries as well.

I'm very confident that it has to do with e-CAT (electronically heated catylic converters). During cold start, the first battery is used to power the starter (smaller 50mah battery) while the larger battery heats up the e-CAT and all else electronics. This reduced the car's stress from heating up the e-CAT after the voltage is drained from the single battery design, which requires the car to run at the higher RPM to re-charge the battery from a cold start.

The F80 doesn't have an e-CAT. During cold start-up, the turbo wastegates are wide open and the engine RPM goes up + rich fuel to heat up the CATs. So the emission is worst on the F80 during a cold startup compared to an F85. This is also why the F85 sounds so much better at cold starts compared to my last F80.

I wouldn't imagine that if one fails, the other will need to be replaced as well. They're independent batteries tied to the charging grid.

From RealOEM.com:

Original BMW battery

Original BMW AGM-battery 50 AH 1 61219364597

Note:
The installed 90Ah AGM battery is to be
replaced by the 92Ah AGM battery!
01 Original BMW AGM-battery 92 AH 1 08/2017 61216924023 $520.08

Neuera09 · 11-22-2016, 02:07 PM

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajob

I'm using a CTEK 8amp universal charger, same make as BMW's proprietary one, but able to charge many more battery types. It has advanced battery management functions and can remain connected for months without any user intervention.

All recent BMWs use AGM batteries (Absorbed Glass Mat), therefore set the charger for AGM battery type (slightly higher final voltage).

First thing after parking in my garage I always connect the charger; the idea is to externally power the cooling fans and pumps - who may run up to 15 min after engine shutdown - with the charger instead from the battery. I believe that the electrical energy used by these cooling cycles - probably 1-3 Ah each - is the main reason for the short battery life of our cars.

elm3 · 11-22-2016, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

From another thread:

From RealOEM.com:

Original BMW battery

Original BMW AGM-battery 50 AH 1 61219364597

Note:
The installed 90Ah AGM battery is to be
replaced by the 92Ah AGM battery!
01 Original BMW AGM-battery 92 AH 1 08/2017 61216924023 $520.08

Thank you so much.

AwesomeM3 · 11-22-2016, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elm3

Thank you so much.

RPI-M5 · 11-22-2016, 10:41 PM

Where does the battery tender hook up on the F85 x5m?

F85X5M · 11-22-2016, 11:17 PM

+1

AwesomeM3 · 11-23-2016, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPI-X5

Where does the battery tender hook up on the F85 x5m?

Under the hood, on the right hand side you'll see a red battery terminal with a cover. There's also a hex nut for the negative (black) connection.

I found this photo on the internet...looks similar to the F85 X5M connections:

RPI-M5 · 11-23-2016, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPI-X5

Where does the battery tender hook up on the F85 x5m?

Under the hood, on the right hand side you'll see a red battery terminal with a cover. There's also a hex nut for the negative (black) connection.

I found this photo on the internet...looks similar to the F85 X5M connections:

Nice! Thanks. Does the battery tender have a setup you can permanently leave inst the hold such that you can just plug and unplug to the wall unit without popping the hood each time?

AlexLou1222 · 11-24-2016, 03:54 AM

Don't think so, but some battery tender comes with flat wire which you can close the hood when it's charging, this way you don't have to stress the hood struts.

elm3 · 11-24-2016, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPI-X5

Nice! Thanks. Does the battery tender have a setup you can permanently leave inst the hold such that you can just plug and unplug to the wall unit without popping the hood each time?

They actually come with two set up, the traditional alligator clips, or round loops that you can bolt on to the battery post. In our X5M, you can't use those, because you must plug in the front, that way you can charge both batteries at the same time.

ozx5 · 11-25-2016, 11:05 PM

^

ok - so could you please post a couple of photos of what you're suggesting??

silly question - but by 2 batteries - you mean BOTH the

a) 90mAh & b) 50mAh

??

elm3 · 11-26-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozx5

^

ok - so could you please post a couple of photos of what you're suggesting??

silly question - but by 2 batteries - you mean BOTH the

a) 90mAh & b) 50mAh

??

That is exactly what I meant. The front connector unders the hood connects to both batteries.

kanvas · 11-28-2016, 02:33 PM

I bought one too. These battery tenders just "top off" the battery life, so it doesn't extend the battery life, right?

onfireX5 · 11-28-2016, 03:28 PM

In theory they can extend the life of the battery. Batteries have a limited cycle life. They cycle down each time they are left unattended without a tender for an extended period of time. The BMW electronics puts a constant drain on the battery. The tender stops the drain and stops that cycle.

elm3 · 11-29-2016, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanvas

I bought one too. These battery tenders just "top off" the battery life, so it doesn't extend the battery life, right?

It actually can extend the life of the battery. I have an '09 e92 M3 and it has been on the battery tender ever since I bought it. Well whenever I'm not driving it. It is going on 8 years with the same OEM battery. It starts at the first try with no hiccups. So if I know that I'm not going to drive my car for more than a week, it gets plugged in. I have 4 of them, 1 for the X5M, 1 for the M3 and 2 for my two motorcycles. Non of them I drive daily. I have a BMW i3 that is my daily. I know, too many toys.

AwesomeM3 · 11-29-2016, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elm3

It actually can extend the life of the battery. I have an '09 e92 M3 and it has been o the battery tender ever since I bought it. Well whenever I'm not driving it. It is going on 8 years with the same OEM battery. It starts at the first try with no hiccups. So if I know that I'm not going to drive my car for more than a week, it gets plugged in. I have 4 of them, 1 for the X5M, 1 for the M3 and 2 for my two motorcycles. Non of them I drive daily. I have a BMW i3 that is my daily. I know, too many toys.

+1

My '08 E92 M3 has been on a battery tender since Day 1 also, and I just replaced the battery, not because it was necessary, but I figured an 8 year old battery should be replaced.

kanvas · 11-29-2016, 01:22 PM

Thank you for the responses! All very helpful. I made a good investment

Just charged my other car and it needed 2 full hours of charge.

11-22-2016, 10:55 AM	#1
elm3 ///M Fan 366 Rep 2,159 Posts Drives: '09 E92 M3 IB/'17 f85 X5M LBB Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canton, GA. iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW / X5M [9.00] 2009 E92 M3 [10.00] 2004 Yamaha R1 [10.00]	Battery Tender What battery tender are you all using on your f85/f86 X5M/X6M? Thank you. Eric __________________ '09 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue,6MT,Silver Novillo Leather,CF Trim,Premium Package,Technology Package,Cold Weather Package,Premium Sound,19"Wheels,Moonroof-Toy/'17 X5M, Long Beach Blue, Executive Package,Technology Package, Lighting Package, Driver Assist, Full Mughello Red Interior, 21" wheels-Toy/'14 535i with M Sport and 19" wheels-Daily
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11-22-2016, 11:42 AM	#2
AwesomeM3 Colonel 1643 Rep 2,775 Posts Drives: F95 X5MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 M [10.00] 2020 BMW X5M Compet ... [0.00] 2008 M3 [10.00]	Deltran Battery Tender...on sale now at Costco. I have three, one for the X5M, M3 and Corvette. http://www.costco.com/Battery-Tender...100241973.html Attached Images __________________ 2020 F95 X5///M Competition CarBahn Autoworks Stage 1 \| 2023 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica
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11-22-2016, 11:51 AM	#3
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11-22-2016, 01:29 PM	#5
ajob Lieutenant 456 Rep 493 Posts Drives: X5 M Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Monaco iTrader: (0)	I'm using a CTEK 8amp universal charger, same make as BMW's proprietary one, but able to charge many more battery types. It has advanced battery management functions and can remain connected for months without any user intervention. All recent BMWs use AGM batteries (Absorbed Glass Mat), therefore set the charger for AGM battery type (slightly higher final voltage). First thing after parking in my garage I always connect the charger; the idea is to externally power the cooling fans and pumps - who may run up to 15 min after engine shutdown - with the charger instead from the battery. I believe that the electrical energy used by these cooling cycles - probably 1-3 Ah each - is the main reason for the short battery life of our cars.
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11-22-2016, 10:41 PM	#10
RPI-M5 Second Lieutenant 122 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Competition Frozen Bla Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	Where does the battery tender hook up on the F85 x5m? __________________ Current: 2019 M5 Competition \| Frozen Black \| Black Extended Leather \| Executive Package \| 706M 20" (winter) \| ANRKY AN14 21" (summer) \| Remus Exhaust \| High Flow Air Filters \| XPEL Stealth
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5M (F85) and X6M (F86) Forum
Battery Tender

11-22-2016, 11:17 PM	#11
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11-24-2016, 03:54 AM	#14
AlexLou1222 First Lieutenant 96 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 2015 X6M 2014 X1 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Vegas baby! iTrader: (0)	Don't think so, but some battery tender comes with flat wire which you can close the hood when it's charging, this way you don't have to stress the hood struts. __________________ 992 Turbo S X7 M60
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11-25-2016, 11:05 PM	#16
ozx5 Private First Class 18 Rep 126 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	^ ok - so could you please post a couple of photos of what you're suggesting?? silly question - but by 2 batteries - you mean BOTH the a) 90mAh & b) 50mAh ??
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11-28-2016, 02:33 PM	#18
kanvas Major 649 Rep 1,170 Posts Drives: V8 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	I bought one too. These battery tenders just "top off" the battery life, so it doesn't extend the battery life, right? __________________ 2001 X5 4.4i - sold but never forgotten! 2014 X5 xDrive50i
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11-28-2016, 03:28 PM	#19
onfireX5 Brigadier General 3619 Rep 4,532 Posts Drives: F90M5,F85X5M Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Va iTrader: (0)	In theory they can extend the life of the battery. Batteries have a limited cycle life. They cycle down each time they are left unattended without a tender for an extended period of time. The BMW electronics puts a constant drain on the battery. The tender stops the drain and stops that cycle.
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11-29-2016, 01:22 PM	#22
kanvas Major 649 Rep 1,170 Posts Drives: V8 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Thank you for the responses! All very helpful. I made a good investment Just charged my other car and it needed 2 full hours of charge. __________________ 2001 X5 4.4i - sold but never forgotten! 2014 X5 xDrive50i
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