Charging directly to the battery.

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Wingcowyn

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Jul 23, 2024
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Is it possible to charge the battery of a Z3 directly to the battery, rather than using the connectors under the bonnet, as the boot is more accessible than the bonnet?
Thanks,
Peter
 
I always did on my 2000 2,0 Z3 with no ill effects.

Tony.
 
I do on the Z3, no issues, it's only later cars that the under bonnet points need to be used.
 
Same here, I always connect straight to the battery on both my Z3s.
 
I plug into the cigarette lighter, very convienet.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. My Z3 is a 2000 model, but has only done around 50,000 miles. I will take your advice and try charging it direct to the battery.
Thanks,
Peter
 
If you close the boot whilst charging which you might do if outdoors, be aware that flammable gas can be evolved from the charging process. If this gas accumulates in the closed boot then a spark from the disconnection of the croc clips after charge completion could be very dangerous - explosions have happened apparently. This is why the under-bonnet method is recommended in the manual.
 
The Bosch battery I have has a vent connected to the outside so in theory there should be no gas in the boot.
 
As have most (or should have from factory) but even so all you need to do is open n the boot (trunk) and let it vent for a minute. Then unplug the charger from the mains before disconnecting the battery.

Tony.

ps. On later models the under bonnet connections are advised for different reasons I beleive.
 
Thanks motco, Mint and t-ton. I will take care to vent the boot before disconnecting the battery.
Peter
 
motco said:
If you close the boot whilst charging which you might do if outdoors, be aware that flammable gas can be evolved from the charging process. If this gas accumulates in the closed boot then a spark from the disconnection of the croc clips after charge completion could be very dangerous - explosions have happened apparently. This is why the under-bonnet method is recommended in the manual.
Click to expand...
If that is the case then you can't open the boot or the light coming on will blow you to smithereens. :eek:

Whereas the under-bonnet connections are much safer, what with the engine bay being full of petrol and oil.

:D:D I put those so that others (with no sense of humour) can see It was a tongue-in-cheek comment. Although there is a an ironic truth there somewhere.
 
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I've frequently charged many batteries direct to the terminals and never been blown up yet, but the advice is received wisdom from more than one source. If in doubt leave a moment for the gasses to clear.
 
I have the charger two pin plug that was supplied attached to the battery.

I never leave it connected permanently. The cars original battery got cooked by my last one going faulty so once it’s charged I disconnect it.
 
I never knew there was an under-bonnet option.... my Z3 has recently had a flat battery every morning, no idea why - just out of the blue - but I've been charging directly to the battery in the boot. Lid open, of course.
 
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