Battery charger placement

[puzzled]

I am setting up my charger, the CTEK 5.0

I know select car and select AMG

but what option do we select “7” or… does the charger itself just work it’s way across the numbers?

Thank you

Damn.. yours have a Mercedes mode? Nice..!

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[Natek]

This is how I mounted my charger

 

[Motorknut]

I am setting up my charger, the CTEK 5.0

I know select car and select AMG

but what option do we select “7” or… does the charger itself just work it’s way across the numbers?

I have the MXS 5.0 model - it automatically cycles thru the charging stages depending on the battery charge level and mode selected. I just select the AGM mode for simple maintenance and leave it till it hits stage 7 or I want to lock up the car.

 

[YOTA_IL]

I have the MXS 5.0 model - it automatically cycles thru the charging stages depending on the battery charge level and mode selected. I just select the AGM mode for simple maintenance and leave it till it hits stage 7 or I want to lock up the car.

Thank you!! Mine already hit stage 7, sorry new to the unit and the instructions didn’t give a good explanation, wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly.

Appreciate the responses!

I got it all figured out

 

[mokodaru]

Does anyone know if it's safe to charge from the back? (As in directly in the battery terminals) Or should it be in the front? I heard the design was made to be charged from the front so I wonder if it's true or if it matters.

Thanks!

 

[consultadrone]

Does anyone know if it's safe to charge from the back? (As in directly in the battery terminals) Or should it be in the front? I heard the design was made to be charged from the front so I wonder if it's true or if it matters.

Thanks!

Short answer:
It’s true and it does matter. Always charge/jump from the posts under the hood.

 

[J29DB03]

Does anyone know if it's safe to charge from the back? (As in directly in the battery terminals) Or should it be in the front? I heard the design was made to be charged from the front so I wonder if it's true or if it matters.

Thanks!

Firstly, the front is the ideal and, according to BMW, the correct placement for a charger. That being said, some have used the battery directly and I haven’t heard of any issues. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but the reason they say to not charge from the battery directly is because chargers and AGM batteries sometimes don’t play nicely together. However, if you have a charger that has an AGM setting (CTEK 5.0 for example) then it would be OK to go direct to the battery. I have the CTEK and still use the front to be safe. Plus, the front allows me to latch the hood and not have the wires smashed causing a “hole” in the weather stripping.

 

[consultadrone]

It has to do with the cars voltage monitoring or IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor). Charging directly at the battery can be very bad for that system and cause damage. YMMV

From the Supra Workshop Manual

 

[Andrew4Supra]

I have elected to trickle charge mine from the rear battery area. I just leave the cables attached (safely sealed off with provided caps) and plug in when stored for the winter.

See photos below of my mounting points.

 

[mokodaru]

I used to do what Andrew4Supra did until I heard about this "only do it at the front" idea. I haven't noticed any issues having done that for months but it could be not recommended because it could risk something happening later

Either way, I've moved it to the front now. It's just less ideal for where I'm storing my car because the charger and outlet position is awkward for the front. Maybe I'll get that extension cable.

Thanks all!

 

[badwolfe]

Just purchased my used 2021 A91 (had it two weeks) - Bought the CTEK MXS 5.0 and will be hooking up in the next few days. I will be using the same setup as some on this thread(+ lead to bolt beside the main + charging lug and the - lead to bolt adjacent to the bolt for the strut brace. My question though - has anyone tried to take off the actual + charging to hook the charging lead beneath it? More curious than anything else.....

 

[Supra_UK_]

Hi Guys can someone help please, I'm looking to buy a CTEK MXS 5.0, but, just wanted to double check as I saw lots of photos on here with their battery's saying AGM, but my battery looks a bit different, it has lower Ampere, and also I can't see the AGM writing on it. So now I am not sure what Mode I need the CTEK on, would it be normal car, or AGM? And like, what happens if I get it wrong?
Dealer isn't answering, and I read whole owners manual and zero mention of this stuff. Is anyone able to share official instructions?
This is a '23 MT UK spec 335bhp 3.0 (not pro).
Thanks
EDIT: I JUST noticed on the right side of the battery it says "VRLA / AGM" ---> is it safe to assume this means it's an AGM and I should use AGM mode on CTEK?

 

[badwolfe]

Yes. You have an AMG type battery and you should be good with the AMG mode on the CTEK. I don't have the manual in front of me but I think I read that it would auto detect but can't be sure about that part. Cheers on the new MT!

 

[jram]

I hate asking this question but how do you remove the black cover on the positive terminal to get to the screws? I tried pulling up on it pretty firmly but mine didn't budge.

 

[badwolfe]

I hate asking this question but how do you remove the black cover on the positive terminal to get to the screws? I tried pulling up on it pretty firmly but mine didn't budge.

Not sure if the 2023 is the same as the 2021 but mine has a couple of tabs that keep it in place. If i remember correctly - you pull the side of the upper cover (the side facing the engine) out a little and then up - but don't quote me on the positioning - I do it by feel at this point so I'm not sure of the placement - I can check in the morning.....

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