Member Since: 24 Jun 2006
Location: Different Planet
Posts: 206
D4 battery charging question help
Hi
Just away on a short break and before leaving home the D4 30 month old battery refused to turn over the engine.
Got my breakdown cover into action and they sent out someone who checked the battery at 11.8 volts, jumped started it and then checked the alternator output and said all looked OK battery and alternator and just needed a good run as these days only seem to do local 3-4 mile runs.
Any how, have bought my new Ring 12v only smart charger away with me and wondered If okay to give the battery a charge on say the 4or 8 amp setting while the battery is still in situ without disconnecting one of the battery leads first?
It has 2,4,8 and 12 amp settings on the charger.
If I were to disconnect one of the battery leads am I likely to loose radio code and have other problems?
From memory the handbook says connect to + battery terminal first but not - terminal but connect to an earth which I assume is to keep any possible sparkling away from gases.
Just done a 30 mile run so seems to be okay at the minute but will only be doing local journeys while away.
Thanks.2015 D4 HSE in Corris Grey
All below gone but still with happy memories
2010 D4 XS in Stornaway Grey
2006 D3 S in Zermatt Silver
2001 Td5 Oslo Blue
1993 300Tdi Arken Grey
15th Feb 2013 11:09 am
Dave T
Member Since: 03 Jul 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 6910
I believe a lot of people use towing electrics or anderson plugs to leave cars on charge overnight, so I would assume that it is ok. Have a search there is a lot written on the subject.Joined the BMWX5 45e group
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15th Feb 2013 11:19 am
Landylad
Member Since: 23 Dec 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 366
Griff.... I also have a Ring (not a broon one by the way - haha).
I initially connected it up using the croc clips - positive post on the battery and then a ground for the negative on the chasis somewhere as opposed to the negative battery post. There's an earth just in front of the battery on the side of the engine bay that I used.
I have since made up a length of twin & earth, bought myself a trailer plug, connected this up and it plugs in to my tow socket. The main reason for doing this was the convenience of not having to have the extension cable sitting outside with the danger of water getting on it (as the Ring charger doesn't seem long enough to stretch from the garage to the battery. And also, I can charge it up with the car locked (as with the charger inside the engine bay, I couldn't close the bonnet and therefore, couldn't lock the thing up!
Not convinced about the Ring charger by the way. I have the 8a but always use the 2a setting overnight for minimum of 12 hours.If in doot, flat oot!!
Last edited by Landylad on 16th Feb 2013 9:03 pm. Edited 1 time in total
15th Feb 2013 10:38 pm
D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
As others have said, no need to disconnect the battery. Sounds like yours was less than 40% charged according to this table
Mines on charge at the moment because it was at 12.2v and although it turns over OK I have been having trouble getting my park heating to work. Fortunately the charger and the extension reel fit under the bonnet so I can lock it, but as this seems likely to be a continuing problem because of my short journeys, I have ordered some bits off Fleabay to make up a charge lead for the tow socket, like Landylad.
Edit: Just remembered you can buy them through the SHOP but I like messing about with soldering irons.MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
16th Feb 2013 1:06 am
Griffmaster
Member Since: 24 Jun 2006
Location: Different Planet
Posts: 206
Thanks for all of your help guys, just after a lifetime of disasters by not researching properly, though would just ask to question before jumping in.
Landylad......I am assuming here that the plug you are connecting to is the white one (12S) and that the terminals you used were 4 - Positive and 7 (Centre) Negative?2015 D4 HSE in Corris Grey
All below gone but still with happy memories
2010 D4 XS in Stornaway Grey
2006 D3 S in Zermatt Silver
2001 Td5 Oslo Blue
1993 300Tdi Arken Grey
16th Feb 2013 9:00 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
If you are white 12S user then:
Pin 3 Ground (Negative)
Pin 4 12V (Positive)
For those with the 13 pin socket then:
Pin 13 Ground (Negative)
Pin 9 12V (Positive)
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 24 Jun 2006
Location: Different Planet
Posts: 206
Robbie wrote:
If you are white 12S user then:
Pin 3 Ground (Negative)
Pin 4 12V (Positive)
Thanks for that.
Do you guys think that passing a 4 amp charge via this route would be safe should by battery fail again in the future.
Was thinking of putting a 6 amp fuse in the charge lead just in case.2015 D4 HSE in Corris Grey
All below gone but still with happy memories
2010 D4 XS in Stornaway Grey
2006 D3 S in Zermatt Silver
2001 Td5 Oslo Blue
1993 300Tdi Arken Grey
16th Feb 2013 11:41 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
The tow electric are fused at 15 amps and my personal limit is 10 amps - which is also the max amperage for the Ctek comfort connectors.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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