Electrical: CTEK Battery Sense correct contact points to use query.

[buzzman]

I've purchased a CTEK Battery Sense device to enable me to monitor the starter battery in my model year 2018 V60 R-Design T4 which has Start/Stop. I tend to do shorter journeys not frequently so being able to monitor the cars starter battery charge state would be useful.

I've a query over where I should connect the cables.

CTEK has a video that shows installation on a battery that is not connected to a car. They connect the Positive (+) & Negative (-) connections of the Battery sense to the battery terminals as you would expect. (The same way you would connect one of their battery chargers to battery not connected to a car).

The little documentation that comes with the CTEK Battery Sense tells you nothing about how to connect the deice to a battery installed in a car.

On the CTEK frequently asked question page of their website there is a question “How should I connect Battery Sense? “
Answer: “Connect the red positive (+) cable to the battery's positive pole, and the black negative (-) cable to an earthing point on the chassis. Check the vehicle's user manual for information about what is recommended for your vehicle.”

I’m struggling to work out how best to make a permanent connection to an earthing point on the chassis of the car. The cables attached to the CTEK battery Sense are M6 fork terminals, i.e. 6 mm diameter.

I’ve followed this connection when using a CTEK charger on the car and the Volvo manual states this is the correct way to connect a battery charger, but this isn’t permanent connection just with croc clips (which is fine for charging purposes).

Would this be the same recommended connection for a device that isn’t a charger on a Volvo?

I’m not technical but have read that there are reasons for not using the car battery Negative (-) terminal in modern cars especially cars with start stop technology.

I’ve also watched a video online where a guy connects the device directly between the battery Positive (+) & Negative (-) terminals of his modern VW Golf.

Does anyone know if connecting the CTEK battery sense directly between the starter battery Positive (+) & Negative (-) terminals would cause damage to the car or prevent the cars systems from functioning properly?

I’m sure there will be others on here who use a CTEK battery Sense. How have you connected yours?

Any thoughts, advice and experience on the topic would be very much appreciated.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by buzzman

I've purchased a CTEK Battery Sense device to enable me to monitor the starter battery in my model year 2018 V60 R-Design T4 which has Start/Stop. I tend to do shorter journeys not frequently so being able to monitor the cars starter battery charge state would be useful.

I've a query over where I should connect the cables.

CTEK has a video that shows installation on a battery that is not connected to a car. They connect the Positive (+) & Negative (-) connections of the Battery sense to the battery terminals as you would expect. (The same way you would connect one of their battery chargers to battery not connected to a car).

The little documentation that comes with the CTEK Battery Sense tells you nothing about how to connect the deice to a battery installed in a car.

On the CTEK frequently asked question page of their website there is a question “How should I connect Battery Sense? “
Answer: “Connect the red positive (+) cable to the battery's positive pole, and the black negative (-) cable to an earthing point on the chassis. Check the vehicle's user manual for information about what is recommended for your vehicle.”

I’m struggling to work out how best to make a permanent connection to an earthing point on the chassis of the car. The cables attached to the CTEK battery Sense are M6 fork terminals, i.e. 6 mm diameter.

I’ve followed this connection when using a CTEK charger on the car and the Volvo manual states this is the correct way to connect a battery charger, but this isn’t permanent connection just with croc clips (which is fine for charging purposes).

Would this be the same recommended connection for a device that isn’t a charger on a Volvo?

I’m not technical but have read that there are reasons for not using the car battery Negative (-) terminal in modern cars especially cars with start stop technology.

I’ve also watched a video online where a guy connects the device directly between the battery Positive (+) & Negative (-) terminals of his modern VW Golf.

Does anyone know if connecting the CTEK battery sense directly between the starter battery Positive (+) & Negative (-) terminals would cause damage to the car or prevent the cars systems from functioning properly?

I’m sure there will be others on here who use a CTEK battery Sense. How have you connected yours?

Any thoughts, advice and experience on the topic would be very much appreciated.

They are correct , you need to connect the charger negative to the car chassis otherwise it bypasses the cars Battery monitor which is on the negative battery terminal . The cars system will not register that the battery is being charged for it's calculations ...
You should find some earth points behind the headlamp . (10mm A/F bolts holding other earth wires )

[buzzman]

Thanks,
I'll take a look and see if the cables from the CTEK Battery Sense are long enough to reach between battery + & car chassis earth behind the headlamp. I guess if cable lengthening was required this could? or would? affect the accuracy of the device? and if possible BOTH + & - leads would need to be extended by the same amount?

It's a shame that the cars built in battery monitoring can't be viewed in such a way as the CTEK Battery Sense. I've Volvo On Call and the App can report my Petrol tank level, tell me if my Tyres, Washer Fluid Service & Brake Fluid are ok, but not the battery / batteries state.

I suspect CTEK choose to leave out almost all mention in the promotional material about needing to connect the negative cable of the device to the cars chassis earth as it doesn't make for nearly as tidy installation as connecting directly across the battery terminals.

[IainG]

Hi

They are correct , you need to connect the charger negative to the car chassis otherwise it bypasses the cars Battery monitor which is on the negative battery terminal

But the CTEC is only a monitor so surely could just connect to the battery.
It is not trying to charge the battery therefore the car's battery monitor won't be affected.

Iain

[TheBlackCat]

Did you connect the CTEK Battery Sense to the chasis or negative terminal in the end? Have you found the Battery Sense useful?

I've got a 2016 XC60 which keeps showing low battery, so want to keep an eye on it. The battery has been tested several times by Volvo and it's last test was "Good & Recharge". Thanks.

[Whyman]

Originally Posted by IainG

Hi


But the CTEC is only a monitor so surely could just connect to the battery.
It is not trying to charge the battery therefore the car's battery monitor won't be affected.

Iain

It is also way to connect your charger so should have the positive connected to the battery and the negative to a suitable earth point on the chassis. Any point will do close to the battery.

[Ulrikas PA]

Maybe it's to do with the specific model of the CTek charger you have, but mine connects to the regular battery terminals and charges up our family's V60, Japanese Subaru(which has different polarity) and our modern Skoda.

The only car I have done anything different was on our last Audi, which had a labelled and covered charging point +/- under the bonnet.

I've never had a problem with straightforward charging, desulphering or reconditioning with a C-Tek. It tells you the charge level as soon as you connect it, and the various stages back to health.

Apologies in having no experience with the Sense monitor. Why not just bite the bullet and get a mid range CTek which monitors and charges from the battery terminals?

[ITSv40]

Stop start is different to conventional systems. Just follow Clan's advice above and all will be well.