My car is still in production ... are there leads built in somewhere for trickle charging or do you have to rip apart the trunk to hook up a charger. Just what equipment are people using?
The cables I see talk about a C3 or a C7 battery.The Bosch one would satisfy that requirement...charging the cord has a plug in it and they sell a mating cord with ring terminals on the end you'd attach to the battery.
I have the BMW tender, it is made by Deltran. I had a coupon for BMW parts, and that is why I bought it there, but it is identical to the Deltran, which is less than half of the price you quoted.My dealer now installs a BMW tender called Power Tender on all 2012 cars and newer. It lists for $199.00 (CDN) on the sticker. It is a unit that is installed in the rear of the vehicle (out of sight) with a long power cord that can extend out of the trunk to be hooked (via extension cord) to an outlet.
This was started after numerous complaints about dead batteries (especially in frigid temperatures in winter). In addition to compromised battery performance due to cold temperature, drivers were not driving far enough or fast enough to keep the battery properly charged with the Regenerative Braking System. Thus, the Power Tender is added. This condition is less of a problem in warmer climates but gradual discharge over long periods of vehicle inactivity is an issue everywhere.
I bought a simple Battery Charger ($40 on sale) that charges at 2/4/6 Amps and shuts off when the battery is full. Itvsits in the space at the fromt left side of the engine bay near where there is a red +ve battery terminal and a nut on a stud mounted on the frame. I can close the hopd on the cord which I connect to an extension cord that plugs into an outlet near my front door. It worked throughout last winter.
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But there is no reason a simple trickle charger should cost $200, even if it is Canadian dollars, which is practically at par value. A Deltran Battery Tender Plus is less than $50 on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...8&qid=1380650910&sr=8-1&keywords=deltran+plusKam,
The cost I quoted is before delivery. After the delivery the cost is about $40 more than the sticker. That is why I went for simple charger from an Auto Supply place.
Again, for the very cold weather only with a short trip to work in the dark with the lights on, I have also left an inexpensive solar trickle charger on my dash and hooked that up for daytime charging when at work, just to be on the safe side for the trip home.
I also was out of the country for the month of June and left the plug-in trickle charger connected, again to be on the safe side. Having had the two non-starting episodes after a 3-4 mile trip that I have described in other threads, and having my battery replaced under warranty, I am taking no chances based on where I live in the Great White North (Canada)