Lock car whilst charging it?

[dasbimmerowner]

Evening all, a quick query if I may!

I got a ctek mxs 5.0 battery charger the other day as my car (f31 340i) had a low battery warning and it's barely going out at present. Am I ok to set the charger up and then lock the car (presuming I can get the bonnet shut on it with the charger on) ? I don't have a garage so wouldn't want to leave it unlocked on the driveway whilst charging, even with a steering lock in place.

Thanks!

[Scrump]

Yes

[dasbimmerowner]

Scrump said:

Yes

Excellent, thanks !

[Dave.]

Is there a positive post under the bonnet?

[RUSSELLM]

You might not need to close the bonnet.

The cars I work on, have the alarm switch built into the latch. So I just get a metal hook and push the latch down, to simulate a closed bonnet.

Just remember to use the bonnet pull, before you start trying to slam the bonnet down afterwards

[Locknut]

Dave. said:

Is there a positive post under the bonnet?

Assuminng the car is a BMW then yes, there is a positive post and a negative post under the bonnet. The battery is in the boot. It might make more sense to connect the charger in the boot because there is more room for the CTech unit if space is a problem under the bonnet. On the other hand there are a lot of wires around the battery so you need to be careful. Don't try to connect it in the boot if you don't know what you are doing.

[helix402]

Don’t charge an F31 direct at the battery as it’ll confuse the IBS.

[buggalugs]

I’ve managed to thread the charger leads out the bottom of the engine bay before so everything can be locked up properly.

[Toltec]

The leads on mine are long enough to thread out of the rear of the bonnet and back through the window left open just a crack. Mains runs in through the gap and the bonnet shuts completely. No use if it is raining obviously, but there is normally a dry enough day at some point.