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      09-24-2023, 03:59 PM   #23
jzeiler4
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Which ever way you go remember disconnecting the negative under the hood is NOT the same as disconnecting the negative on the battery. The post under the hood is just connected to the frame so you can still short out the positive under the hood if your wrench hits the frame. Just sayin...
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      09-24-2023, 05:19 PM   #24
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Also note that the IBS is only located on the rear battery negative terminal (ETA: Li-Ion front has one), so you are GTG connecting the charger directly to the front (AGM) battery terminals.
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Last edited by Tejas1836; 09-24-2023 at 08:05 PM..
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      09-24-2023, 05:36 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pheonix View Post
I ran the cable out to under the hood/windshield and don't have to pop the hood/trunk to connect the Charger.
This is what I'm planning on doing I just didn't know if disconnecting the terminals under the hood should be done with battery connected or disconnected? I'm thinking it doesn't matter but I don't want to risk messing something up doing it the wrong way
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      09-24-2023, 06:09 PM   #26
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Convenient and discrete lower grille-mounted CTEK ‘comfort indicator’. (the low level LEDs are only visible at night). Hooks up directly to the forward access point.

I concur that all charging of the car battery should be via the provided under hood connections…


https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-380-C...dp/B002OHXX60/
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Last edited by visionaut; 09-24-2023 at 06:41 PM.. Reason: Added link: CTEK Comfort Indicator Panel
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      09-24-2023, 09:41 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craw2theJ View Post
This is what I'm planning on doing I just didn't know if disconnecting the terminals under the hood should be done with battery connected or disconnected? I'm thinking it doesn't matter but I don't want to risk messing something up doing it the wrong way
I don't think it's matter cause the cable isn't connect to anything and the connector is isolated so nothing would happen if you accident touch the 2 wires. However, I usually do positive connection 1st when it comes to making any kind of connection.
Here is my connector tucked underneath the hood.
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      09-25-2023, 12:36 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pheonix View Post
I don't think it's matter cause the cable isn't connect to anything and the connector is isolated so nothing would happen if you accident touch the 2 wires. However, I usually do positive connection 1st when it comes to making any kind of connection.
Here is my connector tucked underneath the hood.
That's similar to what I'd like but the eyelet cables aren't long enough to connect to both the positive and negative terminals then run to a location I can access without opening hood. I could order the extension cable but at 8 ft long I'd have a ton of extra to store somewhere. I guess maybe if the engine compartment was smaller it might work.
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      09-25-2023, 02:34 AM   #29
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In my previous vehicles I’ve always hooked it up directly to the Battery and still doing it to this day without any issues.
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      09-25-2023, 03:05 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suck9o View Post
In my previous vehicles I’ve always hooked it up directly to the Battery and still doing it to this day without any issues.
How do you know there are no issues? The issue it'll cause is to reduce battery life in the long term. Just because nothing breaks immediately or explodes or catches fire, doesn't mean it is working properly.
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      09-25-2023, 03:55 AM   #31
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In earlier cars the rule of thumb is to disconnect the earth on battery and charge, on later ones with under bonnet connections just hook to the points and when the green light comes on the CTEK then you're done.
If your car is outside the garage then feed the power cable from behind the bonnet to shut it and lock car while charging for security.
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      09-25-2023, 06:12 AM   #32
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I disconnected the battery completely, negative terminal first.

Then I attached the eyelets to the same terminals under the hood that the manual states for jump starting.

After all was said and done, I reconnected the battery, positive terminal first.
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      09-25-2023, 07:23 AM   #33
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Having the charging connection at the base of the windshield is (for me) a very convenient spot, it's also a spot that you won't forget it's hooked up.
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      09-27-2023, 11:10 PM   #34
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My Chrysler and other car manufacturers include a simple unswitched (hot/always-on) 12v cigarette lighter outlet in their vehicles' cockpit for this exact purpose (making it an extraordinarily convenient plug'n'play option). However, I DO understand how other manufacturers (like BMW) leave it out knowing it's likely their owners won't fully appreciate the switched/unswitched outlet difference, leave an accessory on it 24/7, and deplete their battery.

Otherwise, this jerry-rigging of wires underneath your hood is seems like it'd be one huge PITA that I'd personally never stand for (and I guess I don't have to since I've ordered a BMW EV that is FOOLPROOF when it comes to charging it up).

Editorializing aside, I'm merely saying it's a shame that half the cars don't include this straightforward, frustration-alleviating antidote.
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      09-27-2023, 11:52 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DroMike View Post
My Chrysler and other car manufacturers include a simple unswitched (hot/always-on) 12v cigarette lighter outlet in their vehicles' cockpit for this exact purpose (making it an extraordinarily convenient plug'n'play option). However, I DO understand how other manufacturers (like BMW) leave it out knowing it's likely their owners won't fully appreciate the switched/unswitched outlet difference, leave an accessory on it 24/7, and deplete their battery.

Otherwise, this jerry-rigging of wires underneath your hood is seems like it'd be one huge PITA that I'd personally never stand for (and I guess I don't have to since I've ordered a BMW EV that is FOOLPROOF when it comes to charging it up).

Editorializing aside, I'm merely saying it's a shame that half the cars don't include this straightforward, frustration-alleviating antidote.
Good luck with that, regarding the auxiliary battery.
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      10-17-2023, 09:53 AM   #36
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