CTEK Charger – Where to connect the Neg(-) alligator clamp?

[LRS]

Hi All

I have just stated using a CTEK MXS 5.0 charger on my MY22 XC60 B5 Mild-Hybrid, to avoid the nightmare dead-car issue.

I have set the charger to (Car + AGM) as the 12v battery is an AGM type and connected the Pos(+) alligator clamp to the Pos(+) battery terminal – under the red cover, and the Neg(-) alligator clamp to the jumpstart point screw.

However, I’ve now just read that if the battery has an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), then the placement of the Neg(-) alligator clamp is quite important. I’m also not sure if the MY22 XC60 B5 Mild-Hybrid uses an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) on its negative terminal?

If the car does have this (IBS) sensor, where should I be placing the Neg(-) alligator clamp?

A. Onto the jumpstart point?
B. Directly onto the 12v battery Neg(-) post?

I’m hoping that it can be (A) above, as getting physical access to the Neg(-) post of the battery is going to require some dismantling and fitting a permanent eyelet connector to it.

Hopefully this makes sense.

[giftgrub100]

Would give your dealer a call, would have thought that connections under the bonnet would do, but best check with them.

No point calling them after if its hooked up wrong.

[sk546]

Use the interactive Manual in the Volvo Cars app (this can be found in the third tab along the bottom that looks like a text bubble).
In the section that says 'Explore your manual', type 'Using Jump Starting' and place the Ctek clamps on the same terminals suggested for jump starting (both under the bonnet) and away you go.

Never connect chargers or jump leads directly to a modern cars battery as you run the risk of blowing something up due to the complexity in them these days.

Hope this helps

[LRS]

Thanks both. SK456 you are spot on.

After re-reading the review statement below - which confused me a bit and then finding a post from this forum last year, further below, connecting the Neg(-) alligator clamp to the chassis/earth point - is the correct place to connect to and not directly to the battery Neg(-) post.

"IMPORTANT: Many newer vehicles are equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) which can measure the charge and discharge voltage and calculate the charge level and the general condition of the battery. If your vehicle has an IBS sensor (the sensor is usually placed next to the negative terminal (-) of the battery) then make sure that the charge voltage goes through the IBS sensor. Failing to charge the battery through the IBS sensor may result in a dead battery due to incorrect measurements by IBS."

"Direct connection to the battery bypasses the vehicle state-of-charge monitoring system and will result in confusing warning messages... on my Volvo the sensor is a series element built into the battery negative lead, hence the requirement to connect the charger negative lead to a chassis/earth point (and also why access to the battery negative terminal is not very convenient, unlike the positive terminal access)."