I can fully recommend the BMW branded charger as well. As far as I know, CTEK doesn’t offer a version for ordinary and Lithium batteries under their own brand. I use it for having my M2C connected so the battery doesn’t die (…again, it’s the second one already) and for charging the Lithium battery of my motorcycle. If you want something good for yours, go for the Shido Connect series, they offer great performance for the money and you can check the status and voltage of every cell with the iPhone app without having to remove it from the motorcycle.
Well worth it. Left my parking lights on one time and then left on my dash cam and radar detector another time. This brought my battery back to full health both times. Unfortunately, with that said, I know I’ll have to get a new battery now with the old battery being more than 5 years old.
Hello Aaron fantastic work with your channel, its been super useful for my 2010 987 Boxster and my 2020 M4 (without the new grill). Thanks for this video on CTEK chargers I've been ignoring the trickle charges but I think you're right on the ball about charging the Lithium battery in the BMW - Thanks again and keep going with the channel.
The 4.3 Version is not for lithium batteries. But ctek offers another one that can be used for both, Lithium and lead-acid. You should think about using a ctek 7.0 or 10.0 for such a big battery. Still the 4.3 will do the job, but it takes a little longer.
what do you think of the cigarette lighter connector for the CTEK? it seems to be the easiest way to go. I have M2 C so i am wondering if that would work.
How long does usually take you to go from one light to the other ? ( I know it depends how depleted the battery is ) just an approximately.. mine keeps getting a red light on .. 😑
@@HelpMeDIY mine was giving me a red light .. I bought a new extension cable ( the other I was using it was a beat up one ) and no more red light, but it went to number 3 and it has been on 3 for 5 hrs now .. I really don’t know why isn’t moving to the number 5 light.
I just bought one of these chargers today for my 2020 BMW M4. The charger has not moved from #3 and has been on about 7 hours. It is also very hot to the touch as someone else mentioned. Is this normal or did I maybe get a defective tender?
+Alexia Melendez I assume you have the version that has the lithium ion setting? If so, I would test the battery and make sure it’s good first. Assuming it is, I’d replace the charger
@@HelpMeDIY I do have the version that has the lithium ion setting. I was told from the dealer that if I didn't use the correct tender I could damage the battery. So with the recommended unit and properly connected I would think the status would have changed in 7 hours time? Also, I realize most charging units get warm, but blazing hot?
My battery is about 4.5 years old... voltage is between 10 and 11 when car is off. My scan tool Tells me my starter is failing at startup. I'd like to purchase this charger to charge my battery so it has the juice to start the car after tapping the starter....so I can drive to my Indy mechanic to replace the starter. Do you think this is a good idea, or can the car start with 10 to 11 volts after tapping starter?
Hi mate, thank you for making this video. I just purchased the same charger for my F90 M5. Which one between the 7 or 8 LED should be alive when the charger is maintaining the battery fully charged ?
@@HelpMeDIY I saw a guy from BMW saying that on UA-cam.. anyhow mine has been in number 3 for 5 hrs now .. idk if that’s normal or if is going to ever go to new number 4 🥹
@@HelpMeDIY I read your comment and decided to pull the plug 🔌 🙃 to my surprise it moved to 4 now ( I think I’m saved ) .. will continue monitoring it ..
I have so much problem with that charger on my BMW 2021 M440i Mild hybrid. Defrost light blinks all the time, Completely lost my AC and ventilation. All sorts of weird sound coming from under the hood. A real nightmare. I bought it to store my car in my garage for the next 5 month. Scare to discover other problems in may 2023. BMW tech don’t know anything about this problem. Yishhh!!!
My experience indicates that when I put a charger on my BMW with the hood open, I frequently get a “Power Management” error in my check control and I can hear relays opening/closing up near the Lithium-Ion battery randomly during the charging process. I suspect that the Check Control error and the relay action is related to the 48V charging and cooling circuits cycling on/off. It seems that I really only want/need a battery tender to keep the AGM battery topped up when the car’s idle for extended periods since it’s the 12V systems that are continually stressed by systems that never completely shut off. I support this thesis since at the dealership, they have the hood closed when they use a battery tender on the showroom floor and seldom report “Power Management” errors. I’m told that “hood closed” charging only tops up the 12V battery and reduces the likelihood of a “Power Management” check control. Hope this helps anyone that’s been befuddled with the mild hybrid electronics.
I can fully recommend the BMW branded charger as well. As far as I know, CTEK doesn’t offer a version for ordinary and Lithium batteries under their own brand.
I use it for having my M2C connected so the battery doesn’t die (…again, it’s the second one already) and for charging the Lithium battery of my motorcycle.
If you want something good for yours, go for the Shido Connect series, they offer great performance for the money and you can check the status and voltage of every cell with the iPhone app without having to remove it from the motorcycle.
+AkiDarkWolf thanks for the additional info!
Well worth it. Left my parking lights on one time and then left on my dash cam and radar detector another time. This brought my battery back to full health both times. Unfortunately, with that said, I know I’ll have to get a new battery now with the old battery being more than 5 years old.
+@Great_America yes! 🍻
Hello Aaron fantastic work with your channel, its been super useful for my 2010 987 Boxster and my 2020 M4 (without the new grill). Thanks for this video on CTEK chargers I've been ignoring the trickle charges but I think you're right on the ball about charging the Lithium battery in the BMW - Thanks again and keep going with the channel.
+Peter Panizza thank you for the kind words. Glad they have been helpful. And you also have great taste in cars I see 😆
The 4.3 Version is not for lithium batteries. But ctek offers another one that can be used for both, Lithium and lead-acid.
You should think about using a ctek 7.0 or 10.0 for such a big battery. Still the 4.3 will do the job, but it takes a little longer.
what do you think of the cigarette lighter connector for the CTEK? it seems to be the easiest way to go. I have M2 C so i am wondering if that would work.
+@tibhen8473 I’ve never done it myself but I’ve heard it works
How long does usually take you to go from one light to the other ? ( I know it depends how depleted the battery is ) just an approximately.. mine keeps getting a red light on .. 😑
Some several minutes, some 30 or more minutes
@@HelpMeDIY mine was giving me a red light .. I bought a new extension cable ( the other I was using it was a beat up one ) and no more red light, but it went to number 3 and it has been on 3 for 5 hrs now .. I really don’t know why isn’t moving to the number 5 light.
Hey great video, I'm going to try to order one for my car. I hope you get some more views soon.
+Justin thanks! 🍻
Hello, just got this. So. How long till it gets to the final light? Its been 5 hours and its on the 4th light. Thanks!
+Alex Amorin depends on the condition of the battery. It can take a while
How do i l ow if my car have li ion battery? I have a f30 335xi
+@Preachingthechoirnow just look at it is the easiest way to
Can you recharge a completely dead bmw m4 battery? 2018 m4. Regular charger does nothing to even turn on lights
+Omar Popal as long as the battery is not bad/damaged it should be able to
I just bought one of these chargers today for my 2020 BMW M4. The charger has not moved from #3 and has been on about 7 hours. It is also very hot to the touch as someone else mentioned. Is this normal or did I maybe get a defective tender?
+Alexia Melendez I assume you have the version that has the lithium ion setting? If so, I would test the battery and make sure it’s good first. Assuming it is, I’d replace the charger
@@HelpMeDIY I do have the version that has the lithium ion setting. I was told from the dealer that if I didn't use the correct tender I could damage the battery. So with the recommended unit and properly connected I would think the status would have changed in 7 hours time? Also, I realize most charging units get warm, but blazing hot?
@@alexiamelendez7192 yeah sounds like a problem
Hi I have the same bmw charger. The very first time I use it I got kinda hot so I un plug it I was wondering if it happen to you. Thank u
+andy nguyen hmm nope never noticed that
My battery is about 4.5 years old... voltage is between 10 and 11 when car is off. My scan tool Tells me my starter is failing at startup. I'd like to purchase this charger to charge my battery so it has the juice to start the car after tapping the starter....so I can drive to my Indy mechanic to replace the starter. Do you think this is a good idea, or can the car start with 10 to 11 volts after tapping starter?
+Christian Ventura well it’s a great charger so I would purchase it no matter what so you have it. But if the car starts, drive it over to him.
Hi mate, thank you for making this video.
I just purchased the same charger for my F90 M5.
Which one between the 7 or 8 LED should be alive when the charger is maintaining the battery fully charged ?
+OUTLANDERGOPRO Sorry, but mine is still packed from the move so I cannot check
@@HelpMeDIY No worries, man 👍🏻
One point, I think if you lock your hood it will interfere with the charge it must be left cracked ..
+@Jcauto-t4r no it won’t. Not unless you physically damage the wires of the charger.
@@HelpMeDIY I saw a guy from BMW saying that on UA-cam.. anyhow mine has been in number 3 for 5 hrs now .. idk if that’s normal or if is going to ever go to new number 4 🥹
@@Jcauto-t4r likely a bad battery
@@HelpMeDIY I read your comment and decided to pull the plug 🔌 🙃 to my surprise it moved to 4 now ( I think I’m saved ) .. will continue monitoring it ..
My Ctek overheats so it is a,most too hot to hold. Do you know what would cause that.
+Robert Angleson if you have it on the correct setting for the battery type you are charging, I’d send it back! Shouldn’t get that hot.
Is it normal that my battery never goes to 100% when trickle charging? It's a lithium car battery
+basketball798 hmm good question. I’m no battery expert so my answer would just be a guess 🤷♂️
I have so much problem with that charger on my BMW 2021 M440i Mild hybrid. Defrost light blinks all the time, Completely lost my AC and ventilation. All sorts of weird sound coming from under the hood. A real nightmare. I bought it to store my car in my garage for the next 5 month. Scare to discover other problems in may 2023. BMW tech don’t know anything about this problem. Yishhh!!!
+Marcel M yikes! Does that car have a lithium ion battery? Do you have the charger set for the correct battery type?
My experience indicates that when I put a charger on my BMW with the hood open, I frequently get a “Power Management” error in my check control and I can hear relays opening/closing up near the Lithium-Ion battery randomly during the charging process. I suspect that the Check Control error and the relay action is related to the 48V charging and cooling circuits cycling on/off.
It seems that I really only want/need a battery tender to keep the AGM battery topped up when the car’s idle for extended periods since it’s the 12V systems that are continually stressed by systems that never completely shut off. I support this thesis since at the dealership, they have the hood closed when they use a battery tender on the showroom floor and seldom report “Power Management” errors. I’m told that “hood closed” charging only tops up the 12V battery and reduces the likelihood of a “Power Management” check control.
Hope this helps anyone that’s been befuddled with the mild hybrid electronics.
@@HelpMeDIY in the trunk a AGM and under the hood Li/ion 48 volt for the mild hybrid system. Charger set to normal car.