XF BATTERY CHARGING

[ZKAR]

Getting low battery warning as don't drive that much.

How do I remove the floor in the trunk [Portfolio estate] to get to the battery compartment to charge it? The hand book says must be done by qualified mechanic. Why? 

I have a CTEK CT5 smart charger for stop/start motor, which my friends with Mercs, Porches, BMW, Audi etc use quite happily. Is there any long term risk to Jaguars? 

Many thanks. Barry.

[Big John]

Hi Barry.

Not sure on the 2018, but on mine (2013 2.2 Sportbrake Sport) simply lift the folding floor with the strap, then lift out the expanded foam cover which gives full access to the wheelwell. You should then have full access to the battery and no need for a qualified mechanic!

When you connect your ctek CT5 (good choice 🙂 ) make sure the negative goes to an earth point on the car and not the battery terminal (Positive connects to the red terminal). If you connect the negative clamp directly to the battery you take the Battery Management System module out of the circuit so the car can get confused as it is not sure how much current has gone into and out of the battery.. Connecting to the chassis eliminates the issue.

I would also recommend fitting the ctek extension cable which enables you to simply plug your CT5 into the extension socket in the boot without having to empty the boot everytime you want to top-up the charge (once a week).

J

 

[ZKAR]

Hi, John. Just incredibly useful. Really appreciate your time.

Boy! that's a big old boot space. Anyway, the CTEK unit comes with a set of eyelets (M6) about 35cms long. Not quite enough to get the connection above the battery compartment foam cover. So I got the eyelet (M8) accessory from CTEK, with the traffic light indicator, which is 500cms long.

As advised not to attach to negative battery post, needed a negative chassis bolt quite near to the positive battery post, as not much separation between the CTEK eyelets. Finally chose as shown upper right of battery.

Then, took your advice and got the long extension from CTEK, which is 2.5M long. This easily extrudes from under the foam for easy connection to the unit, whilst still not able to see the traffic lights on the connection.

Wanted to get a water proof extension from mains plug (in garage) to car boot outside so with a 106cm long fixed car-side lead on the unit, just about makes it so long as I waterproof the connection which necessarily has to be outside. Noted CTEK say lead from unit to car should not exceed 3M.

I did try putting an extension lead into the boot but the lid does not close due to safety override.

 Hope useful to others. Thanks again. Barry.

[Rob22]

Is it the same procedure for charging the main battery and auxiliary battery 

Ctek positive lead to positive battery post and negative lead to  a ground source bracket/