Beemer Batts
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Beemer Batts
Hi,
I was just reading one of the service ezines, and I came to an interesting article about recent Beemers ( at least one model)
The charging system on this model is optimized to the point that your battery has to be 'registered', so that the system knows it's characteristics.
I think that it only allows 2 types to be registered -- a 110 A/H regular battery and a 90 A/H glass mat battery ( whatever that is).
I'm not knocking BMWs ( they're supposedly fine automobiles), but this seems over the top. Using the wrong batt can cause over or under charging.
Can't, for the life of me, figure out what great benefits this charging system has to justify this kind of nonsense. Most charging systems today seem to do a pretty fair job.
hj
I was just reading one of the service ezines, and I came to an interesting article about recent Beemers ( at least one model)
The charging system on this model is optimized to the point that your battery has to be 'registered', so that the system knows it's characteristics.
I think that it only allows 2 types to be registered -- a 110 A/H regular battery and a 90 A/H glass mat battery ( whatever that is).
I'm not knocking BMWs ( they're supposedly fine automobiles), but this seems over the top. Using the wrong batt can cause over or under charging.
Can't, for the life of me, figure out what great benefits this charging system has to justify this kind of nonsense. Most charging systems today seem to do a pretty fair job.
hj
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,517
Likes: 2,825
I think this gives some idea why they are picky about the battery:
VRLA battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It seems the "glass mat" batteries are picky about the way they are charged, so that's probably the source of it all. It has to know which one you have or it might overcharge and kill the glass mat unit. That's my theory.
Smaller battery that lasts longer....but costs more.
Gotta get my BIL to let me drive his 335 M, nothing like 300 lb/ft at 1200 to 5000 rpm ... I'll ask him about the battery.
VRLA battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It seems the "glass mat" batteries are picky about the way they are charged, so that's probably the source of it all. It has to know which one you have or it might overcharge and kill the glass mat unit. That's my theory.
Smaller battery that lasts longer....but costs more.
Gotta get my BIL to let me drive his 335 M, nothing like 300 lb/ft at 1200 to 5000 rpm ... I'll ask him about the battery.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Optima batteries are AGM, and have a shorter warranty than the typical flooded cell type. Since most automotive charging systems, except this new BMW, are not setup for AGM, an Optima may not be such a good idea for a replacement at about double the price.
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dancraig
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jan 23, 2012 10:00 PM
