NOOB Question, re starter battery charging

[NC35]

Hi Everyone,
So sorry, yet another dumb/ noob question.
First van of any description and (don't laugh) first diesel! Only had her for a week, so slowly learing and googling...
In this chilliy weather, I think the van struggles a little to start. I wait for the warning lights to go out, including the glow plug light, before turning the key. Sometimes she fires up straight away other times the sarter motor kicks in again to keep the engine running, I think...
Also been having some weird electrial gremlins - that have corrected themselves - Large MPH dissapearing and Power mirrors unfolding.
So I have dug out my trusty CTEK charger and connected it to the starter battery. A Yusas YBX096 75Ah/700A installed in Nov 23.
My thoughts this evening are, what about the split charge wizardry? Is it ok just to go hook up straight to the battery?
Bit too late now if I have goosed anything, unfortuately.
Help and advice most welcome.
TIA

 

[ginkster]

It’s fine. Positive to the starter battery terminal. Negative to a ground point rather than the battery terminal.

The idea of using a ground point is so you don’t bypass the ‘shunt’ on the battery negative which is used by the ecu to control charging on vehicles with a smart alternator (T6, 6.1). If you bypass it the ecu won’t know the battery has been charged.

It sounds a bit as if your battery maybe dying or you have some parasitic loads ( tracker?) draining it. If you have a multimeter check the voltage about an hour after shutting the van down. Leave it unlocked and bonnet open or you will get a false reading.

 

[NC35]

It’s fine. Positive to the starter battery terminal. Negative to a ground point rather than the battery terminal.

The idea of using a ground point is so you don’t bypass the ‘shunt’ on the battery negative which is used by the ecu to control charging on vehicles with a smart alternator (T6, 6.1). If you bypass it the ecu won’t know the battery has been charged.

It sounds a bit as if your battery maybe dying or you have some parasitic loads ( tracker?) draining it. If you have a multimeter check the voltage about an hour after shutting the van down. Leave it unlocked and bonnet open or you will get a false reading.

Made a mess of that then!
Went straight to the +ve & -ve terminals. The CTEK will also be doing a conditioning charge, whatever that is. I also have the cigarette adapter for the CTEK, is it safe to use this in the future???
Sooooo, what will I have done to the ECU?
And yes a tracker fitted... I will have a look at the voltage drop tomorrow, if I can locate my multimeter.

 

[Bigsidavies]

You won’t have damaged the ecu, it just won’t know that you’ve charged the battery because it’s not been monitored through the shunt.
Don’t sweat it.

 

[Anakin]

If you have a T6, then you can use the cigarette socket adapter in the lower dash socket, that’s how I top up mine.

 

[ginkster]

Made a mess of that then!
Went straight to the +ve & -ve terminals. The CTEK will also be doing a conditioning charge, whatever that is. I also have the cigarette adapter for the CTEK, is it safe to use this in the future???
Sooooo, what will I have done to the ECU?
And yes a tracker fitted... I will have a look at the voltage drop tomorrow, if I can locate my multimeter.

No damage to the ECU or anything else. Just remember for next time

What power is your CTEK? I believe about 5-7A is the most you would want to put through the cig lighter.