wilwak wrote:

Does anyone know where the actual battery is located?

On an L405 it's under the spare wheel

There's also an additional smaller battery behind the side panel on the drivers side of the boot

Thanks

I think I may try to rig something up to the jump points under the bonnet and leave a fly lead poking out somewhere.

It's more difficult in the rear due to the fancy electric tailgate.

It's a pity more manufacturers don't fit an exterior connection point for a maintainer. I know Bentleys have them by the number plate and provide a branded CTeK maintainer with every car sold.

Would be a nice touch on a high-spec vehicle.

All sorted.

CTeK fly lead all fitted to the under bonnet jump points

Connector routed to bottom corner of windscreen. All seems good.

Amazing vehicle. Very impressed so far.

The 13 pin trailer wiring also has a direct link to the battery, and will perform the same function as the 12S socket, or you could always plug into a power socket in the boot or one of the many console ones as they are all live all the time (2003 BMW Spec, don't know about later years)  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Thanks. I'll have a look for the trailer wiring. That would be a perfect solution if I can find it.

If you've got a tow bar then you'll have wiring, and then it will have either 1 or 2 sockets, they are tucked up under the bumper to the left of the trailer hitch. If you have 2 sockets then you need a 12S plug to get the power into the battery, goes in to the white socket. And if it's a 13 pin then a 13 pin plug is needed, and if it's just a single 7 pin socket (12N) your screwed

Then I'd look at a lighter / accessory plug, and plug in to the power socket in the boot by the light, and shutting the cable in the tailgate, if you use figure of 8 wire it will not interfere with the the closing and locking of the tailgate  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Thanks.

I don't have a tow bar but I assume the wiring will already be there somewhere.

I think you may be right that the rear boot power socket may be the easiest solution. Good to know that the cable will trap in the boot lid ok.

I'll keep playing....

Thanks again.

On L405's that have a factory tow bar - it is electric deployable which means the 13 pin socket disappears under the car and isn't easily accessible when the tow ball is away.

Similarly, the wiring isn't just sitting there in a convenient place....

I'd stick with what you have

Ok thanks.

I'll stick with what I've done for now and keep looking for a better solution.

I may look at hard wiring it to the battery under the spare wheel if it's possible to have a trailing wire out the tailgate.

The problem with rear boot solutions is that I can't open my tailgate once the vehicle is in the garage. No headroom.

If I find the perfect answer I'll post it up on here.

miggit wrote:

The 13 pin trailer wiring also has a direct link to the battery, and will perform the same function as the 12S socket, or you could always plug into a power socket in the boot or one of the many console ones as they are all live all the time (2003 BMW Spec, don't know about later years)

Wilwak, can't you put a breakable joiner in the lead? you could plug in to the power socket, shut the tailgate and leave your joiner on the outside, before you go in to your garage  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Yep. That's what I'd do. Use one of the Ctek Extender cables.

Seems a good thread to plug my wares

http://www.disco3.co.uk/shop/tow-electrics...c-p45.html

12S or 13 pin version and for various charger types.

I knew I'd seen them somewhere , just couldn't remember where  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Martin, do you do one to an accessory plug as well? Not every one tows  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!