Disconnecting Multispace 2014 battery

[girlfriday]

Hi,

I notice in my user manual it says that you need to disconnect the car battery before you charge it. I've got a 2014 Berlingo Multispace (not a stop/start engine).

I can see the positive terminal under the cover (although don't have a clue how to disconnect it) and understand the negative terminal is the bolt on the right hand chassis.

What do you have to disconnect, and how? Then, where do you attach the battery charger clips?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Pedronicus]

I have an 2016 XTR and have never disconnected the battery to charge it.  Having said that I do have a CTek MXS 5.0 Smart Charger which may make a difference.

The procedure I use is as follows:
1. Open bonnet.
2. Connect +ve clip to positive connection on battery; connect -ve clip to bolt on right hand of chassis (looking from front to back).  *****DO NOT PLUG IN OR TURN ON CHARGER YET!*****
3. With bonnet open (or sat down but not fully latched) lock car with remote.
4. Wait 5 minutes for control systems to shut down.
5. Plug in or turn on charger.
6. When finished charging open bonnet & unplug or switch off charger BEFORE UNLOCKING CAR and remove charging clips.
7. Unlock car - All done.

[Sol]

To disconnect the front positive terminal you pull up on the lever to unlock the terminal. The negative connector is bolt-tightened onto the other battery terminal at the back.

The battery is like any other, only the negative terminal is hidden by the scuttle panel. You just can't pull the battery forward till you remove the battery clamp....

[girlfriday]

To disconnect the front positive terminal you pull up on the lever to unlock the terminal. The negative connector is bolt-tightened onto the other battery terminal at the back.

The battery is like any other, only the negative  terminal is hidden by the scuttle panel. You just can't pull the battery forward till you remove the battery clamp....

That's helpful to know. I presumed that you had to disconnect both the red and black terminals.

[girlfriday]

I have an 2016 XTR and have never disconnected the battery to charge it.  Having said that I do have a CTek MXS 5.0 Smart Charger which may make a difference.

The procedure I use is as follows:
1. Open bonnet.
2. Connect +ve clip to positive connection on battery; connect -ve clip to bolt on right hand of chassis (looking from front to back).  *****DO NOT PLUG IN OR TURN ON CHARGER YET!*****
3. With bonnet open (or sat down but not fully latched) lock car with remote.
4. Wait 5 minutes for control systems to shut down.
5. Plug in or turn on charger.
6. When finished charging open bonnet & unplug or switch off charger BEFORE UNLOCKING CAR and remove charging clips.
7. Unlock car - All done.

Thanks. That sounds detailed but simple. I don't know if you have a stop/start battery, but I'm assuming not. Your Smart Charger sounds amazing - I have a basic Halfords one...

[Sol]

To disconnect the front positive terminal you pull up on the lever to unlock the terminal. The negative connector is bolt-tightened onto the other battery terminal at the back.

The battery is like any other, only the negative  terminal is hidden by the scuttle panel. You just can't pull the battery forward till you remove the battery clamp....

That's helpful to know. I presumed that you had to disconnect both the red and black terminals.

Yeah the front (positive) terminal can be removed by hand, but the rear one is a conventional terminal that's clamped shut by a 10mm bolt. The terminal posts themselves are round. The battery is held in by a steel clamp bolted to steel tray, clamping over the wider part of the battery at the bottom. Once the clamp is removed, the battery can be disconnected and pulled forward for removal if required.

[Pedronicus]

I have an 2016 XTR and have never disconnected the battery to charge it.  Having said that I do have a CTek MXS 5.0 Smart Charger which may make a difference.

The procedure I use is as follows:
1. Open bonnet.
2. Connect +ve clip to positive connection on battery; connect -ve clip to bolt on right hand of chassis (looking from front to back).  *****DO NOT PLUG IN OR TURN ON CHARGER YET!*****
3. With bonnet open (or sat down but not fully latched) lock car with remote.
4. Wait 5 minutes for control systems to shut down.
5. Plug in or turn on charger.
6. When finished charging open bonnet & unplug or switch off charger BEFORE UNLOCKING CAR and remove charging clips.
7. Unlock car - All done.

Thanks. That sounds detailed but simple. I don't know if you have a stop/start battery, but I'm assuming not. Your Smart Charger sounds amazing - I have a basic Halfords one...

No s/s battery here.  The CTek unit is very clever and can be left connected to the vehicle if not being used for a time as it keeps the battery topped up, in good condition and ready to go even after a long layup.  There is also a setting for handling s/s batteries if need be.

I think the important thing is you must make sure the Body Interface System is shut down before charging hence the 5 minute wait.