I have a new F Type so if sounds like I don't know much about them it's because I don't!
But I understand they have 2 batteries. A lead acid and a lithium.
I have a CTEK 300 charger installed per the instructions but seems I read this only charges the lead acid battery, not the lithium. I also understand (I think) the lithium is for starting the engine.


Can anyone elaborate/correct me on this?


Loving the car!

 

I don't know what type batteries it has because I haven't researched it, but I do know the 2nd smaller battery is for the engine start/stop function ("eco-mode"). I don't know if a battery maintainer on the main battery charges the "eco-mode" battery or not, but it's a good question.

In any event, you can simply avoid the issue after a long period of activity by switching to dynamic mode which disables the engine start/stop function until the alternator has a chance to recharge it. All you really have to worry about during a long storage period is keeping a charge in the main battery.

 

Yes to this.. I was advised the same by a mechanic at dealer.
Lawrence

 

After re-reading the OP, I think he may have a lingering question about the function of the two batteries. The main battery ALWAYS starts the engine when you press the start button. The 2nd battery is only for the engine start/stop (eco-mode) function.

 

here is a post from another board about the 2 batteries

Two Batteries in your F-Type - Jaguar F-Type Forum

But you should check with your dealer as they are extremely expensive to replace. My McLaren has a lithium battery and the replacement is $3500

 

Below is a quote from another board


Here's some more info to chew on: the installation directions for the Jaguar charger kit. This shows the harness hooking up to the fuse block in the trunk. I have a non-Jaguar trickle charger on order - I may pop out the trunk liner and take a look at this fuse block.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/6gasar...arging_Kit.pdf

 

Thanks Zach.

The opinions are all over the map in the links you posted in this and the other battery thread. I was obviously misinformed by the dealer about the 2nd battery's function being only eco-mode (engine start/stop) related. I now see it ALWAYS starts the engine not the main battery. Thus, just having a float charger on the main battery isn't going to protect you from having a no-start condition due to a dead 2nd battery after long storage.

If I were to guess which is the best solution, I think I'll use alligator clips on the charging points under the hood, when I want to top off the battery, and then remove the clips when done.

However, even though it does get very cold in my area (20ºF last night) snow doesn't usually hang around very long, and we have enough good above freezing days and rain to wash away the salt after snow storms. If it's a normal winter, I'll be using the car through the coldest months, at least enough to keep the batteries from running down.

 

I don't know that I believe that the 2nd battery is always used to start the car. It is a well known "trick" that if you want to disable the ECO start/stop function, you can disconnect the 2nd battery and the car will run fine.

 

When I wired my Batter Tender Jr into the power distribution panel per the Jaguar instructions, I confirmed that the charging voltage appeared on both batteries. It did.


This was last fall, and I had no issues when the car came out of storage this spring.

 

You're right. I was initially told the main battery ALWAYS started the car, and that the 2nd was for ECO start/stop as you said. I then read a link posted by Zach in which a so-called expert said otherwise, so I started doubting what I had previously been told.

It's now clear the "so-called expert" in the link Zach posted was incorrect. Hopefully, once and for all, the 2nd smaller battery only powers ECO start/stop and the main battery does everything else.

 

I have a CTEK 7002. I'm planning on wiring the black and red into the panel as per the jaguar battery charging kit pdf. The difference is I don't have a third connector (A1) like the OEM version. You were ok and confirmed voltage across both batteries with just the blk and red connectors correct?

 

My understanding is that the Lead acid battery is for starting the car and the smaller Lithium battery is just for maintaining the electronics during the ECO mode.

If you install the maintainer on the main bus as Jaguar shows it will charge both batteries

 

The A1 you are looking at is for a remote connector, don't worry about that, just use the Red and Black

 

Rewired my Battery Tender Plus today per the Jaguar charger installation instructions, which was less than a 10 minute job. Thanks to all who brought those to my attention, as I wasn't aware they were on this site. It works perfectly.

BTW, both batteries are "old-school" lead acid, at least my car.

EDIT: I was at my dealer today getting an oil change, and the parts guy said the Jaguar charger is no longer available through Jaguar dealers, FWIW.

 

My batteries are both AGM. Larger one is 90 ah.

 

I have a Battery Tender Plus that I have directly wired to my other cars batteries. Is there any reason that I can not do the same with the F-Type?

Thanks,

Walt

 

Yes I actually had 2 questions in one. The function of the second and the charging question.


Thanks for the info!

 

I guess that's another confirmed difference between the 100K and the 70K models.

 

That's what I thought too Walt and the way I had wired it. It was working fine. However, there are apparently two issues with the traditional method:

1) It won't charge the 2nd battery, and

2) JLR says it might interfere with the battery monitoring system and cause false warnings.

 

+1