connecting the CTEK
 

Not clear if I can connect the negative CTEK lead directly to the battery negative terminal, or need to use certain other chassis ground point.

For your 2016 XJ, connect the negative CTEK terminal to a chassis ground. Do not connect it to the battery. For details, including photos, see: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...lation-130801/

Thanks, but I'm asking for the 2013 XKR vert. I just bought.

There is a ground post in the spare wheel well you can use that. Or you can use any bolt that connects to the frame. If these two suggestions don't work for you, use the search box in the upper right corner of this phrase asking for connecting CTecks to 5.0 Litre X150s.

Here's the Jaguar fitting instructions. The factory charger is a re-badged CTEK so the connections and cable routing are valid.

I chose not to cut a hole in the trim as shown and exited my CTEK extension through the vent grille next to it instead.

Graham

How was anyone supposed to know that you had an XK when your signature shows that your current ride is a 2016 XJ AWD?
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...937d473b68.jpg


See my Post #10 in this thread:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ek-mx5-214824/



https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...c3accf998a.jpg

Thanks. Is there a certain way to remove/install manipulate the top divider/tray in the trunk

There are lots of threads about the luggage separator. Learn to use the Advanced Search function. Here's one:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...please-146325/

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...9453ac585d.jpg

Fair enough, criticism accepted.
I don't have the car yet, it will probably get loaded on the transporter from the selling dealer in few days (850 miles away).
Just getting a little excited and mentally prepared.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e8198970f9.jpg
Actually looking through that schematic, I still like my install. No wires through the trunk lid seal. My "Plug'N" is below the trunk in the Valance.....
Used a marine grade male receptacle.

What's wrong with a wire through the trunk seal? It's the easiest hook up and has worked for me for many years with no seal deformation or other problems. And there's no sign of a socket when it's unplugged. It's on the left side in this photo. The license plate frame is my wireless solar-powered backup cam, $125 from Costco.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...6c2dc44948.jpg

I liked the cigar marine socket method also as it's easy to plug in after every ride and I don't need to open the boot. Clean and quick.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...42b0fd285d.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...a4b0647790.jpg

I also keep a digital gauge plugged in just to see the voltage change the Ctek goes through. This is at resting stage 7 reading.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...90d1693a95.jpg

Wow, you use the 'towing package' connector- neat:icon_toast:

Stuart, I just didn't like the idea of having to open and close the trunk every time I took the old girl out. Thus, my way of getting around it. Besides, when the it's disconnected and the rubbery cap is installed, the connection is not visible. Also, when young gear heads drift into the garage and ask about it, I tell them it's a HyBrid powered Jag. They accept my "Tale",LOL! Anyway, most of them are kids that like to see what I'm doing at any given time.

Why is it not acceptable to connect the ctek positive to the jump-start stud in the trunk left side and the negative to a ground stud in the spare wheel area?
I think some people are doing this.

Nothing wrong with that hook up. Jaguar had a kit that is shown in one of the above posts so they hooked to the positive battery terminal. You can do it the way you mentioned above.

It's OK to connect a CTEK to the remote battery terminals in the trunk that are used for jumpstarting a dead battery, at least for the 4.2L models. I'm not sure about the 5.0L models with the Battery Monitoring module, but I suspect that it's OK, too, because that module isn't in the charging circuit when the remote battery terminals are used. I use a CTEK MUS4.3 on my XJ, but I've been using a BatteryMINDer brand maintainer on my XKR since 2012 hooked up to the remote battery terminals. See this old thread for details: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk-xkr-x150-33/battery-charge-long-lay-ups-73471/page1/ in particular my posts ## 17, 19, and 21, for photos of how I hooked it up. It's worked flawlessly for the last 7 years with no problems.

Thanks Stuart S: It appears you consider the CTEK alligator clips (in your pics.) clamping force to be strong enough to leave as permanent connections. Am I correct?

The alligator clips in my XKR photos are from my BatteryMINDer maintainer and are much smaller than the CTEK alligator clips. Below is a photo of my CTEK MUS4.3 with the large alligator clips attached to the small Stop-Start battery in my XJ, with the red POS clip attached to the POS battery terminal and the black NEG clip attached to a chassis ground bolt. It's hard to see the red clip because it's a view from the rear; just enlarge the photo and follow the red wire and you'll see the spring and handles. The black clip is more obvious.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...6fbf68c1e8.jpg

The CTEK alligator clips are much larger and stronger than the BatteryMINDer clips and should work as a permanent connection, but using a locknut is always a better choice. I've had no problems using the alligator clips on the remote battery terminals in my XKR.