[rtrgjrbmw]

So, I know that a lot of EV have a 12-volt system to runs things like computer etc and have a 12-volt battery. There are times I have to store my car for couple months and in the past I would not only hookup the main battery to level 2 or 1, I would also hook up the 12-volt battery to a maintainer. Does anyone know if I will need to do that with the IX our does the 12-volt battery Trickle charge off the main battery system? And if I need to maintain the 12-volt battery were do I get access to it?

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by rtrgjrbmw

So, I know that a lot of EV have a 12-volt system to runs things like computer etc and have a 12-volt battery. There are times I have to store my car for couple months and in the past I would not only hookup the main battery to level 2 or 1, I would also hook up the 12-volt battery to a maintainer. Does anyone know if I will need to do that with the IX our does the 12-volt battery Trickle charge off the main battery system? And if I need to maintain the 12-volt battery were do I get access to it?

It is supposed to monitor the 12V battery and charge it automatically from the main battery when needed. There should be no need to hook up the 12V to a battery tender.

If you still want to for some reason, you would access it by popping the hood. The manual does not include how to do this, but you can look for videos and there are other threads on this forum where this was discussed.

[TechCTU]

Originally Posted by rtrgjrbmw

So, I know that a lot of EV have a 12-volt system to runs things like computer etc and have a 12-volt battery. There are times I have to store my car for couple months and in the past I would not only hookup the main battery to level 2 or 1, I would also hook up the 12-volt battery to a maintainer. Does anyone know if I will need to do that with the IX our does the 12-volt battery Trickle charge off the main battery system? And if I need to maintain the 12-volt battery were do I get access to it?

I have been reading in other brands forums that the 12 volt batteries are running out of charge at times and they are needed to start the vehicle. Since we can't open the hood that is concerning.

Would like to get confirmation on the system used in the iX. Does anyone know how the built in monitoring system works as ggalanis pointed out? Does it charge the 12 volt when plugged in?

[sor]

Yeah, it's a common problem spotted on many EVs.

I hope it becomes something owners don't even have to think about because an EV is a perfect car to let sit for months plugged into it's usual charger, say when you're on vacation or if you have a vacation home.

[NomoTesla]

Is the 12v in the iX a lead acid or a Li-Ion like in the new 3/Y?

[Paladin1]

The owner's manual mentions this:

Charging the battery

A charger that is installed in the vehicle supplies the vehicle battery with power. The charger receives the necessary energy from the high-voltage battery.
Additional information:
Charge vehicle, refer to page 290.

It doesn't mention if the "vehicle" battery (which refers to the 12v battery) is a standard lead-acid battery or a Li-Ion 12v, but it does seem to indicate that it charges off the main battery pack. One caution in storing the car long-term in the manual is that it should be unplugged from the wall charger, and that you shouldn't leave it unplugged more than a couple of weeks if the range is down to zero, which would also indicate to me that the 12v charges from the main battery (not the wall plug).

[rtrgjrbmw]

I did find this reference to the 12-volt battery in the manual, so it does look like its not a problem

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Is the 12v in the iX a lead acid or a Li-Ion like in the new 3/Y?

The one in my dealer's demo is a 60 Ah AGM battery which means it is a lead-acid.

This might depend on your region, but I also decoded an iX VIN from a dealer near you in Phoenix, Chapman BMW Chandler, and it also comes up with build option SA060 "60 Ah AGM Battery".

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

The one in my dealer's demo is a 60 Ah AGM battery which means it is a lead-acid.

This might depend on your region, but I also decoded an iX VIN from a dealer near you in Phoenix, Chapman BMW Chandler, and it also comes up with build option SA060 "60 Ah AGM Battery".

Which will generally be good 3-5 years, so likely at least one replacement in the life if the HV battery (with an 8-year warranty)....

[freshxdough]

If you are away for weeks or more plug it into a 120v charger. It will keep the HV battery topped off and charge the 12v battery when necessary.

[npa201]

Man that’s a bummer. Was really happy when 2022 Model Y switched over to a Li-Ion battery. Still looking forward to the IX but part of the appeal (in theory for EVs) would be less trips to the service center. Between this battery and the air suspension I can already start anticipating my service trips in year 4.

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by npa201

Man that’s a bummer. Was really happy when 2022 Model Y switched over to a Li-Ion battery. Still looking forward to the IX but part of the appeal (in theory for EVs) would be less trips to the service center. Between this battery and the air suspension I can already start anticipating my service trips in year 4.

Fortunately the 12v sits up top and looks to be very easily accessible for replacement. Opening the hood, on the other hand... lol requires a magic dance and the simultaneous pulling of two different cords on opposite sides of the car...

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Fortunately the 12v sits up top and looks to be very easily accessible for replacement. Opening the hood, on the other hand... lol requires a magic dance and the simultaneous pulling of two different cords on opposite sides of the car...

You can pull them one at a time. You just need some pocket screwdrivers to hold the hood up

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

You can pull them one at a time. You just need some pocket screwdrivers to hold the hood up

on a $100k+ car. Nice!

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

on a $100k+ car. Nice!

I mean there is no reason for the customer to be under the hood so it makes sense. Just like the i8.

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I mean there is no reason for the customer to be under the hood so it makes sense. Just like the i8.

Unless the customer wants to change out the 12v, or replace a leaking coolant hose or pump, or otherwise service their own car...

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Unless the customer wants to change out the 12v, or replace a leaking coolant hose or pump, or otherwise service their own car...

I would argue that any unqualified persons should not be under the hood. You shouldn't be replacing a 12v battery without disconnecting and verifying that the HV system is down, which I'm fairly confident many people who work on their own HV car are not.

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I would argue that any unqualified persons should not be under the hood. You shouldn't be replacing a 12v battery without disconnecting and verifying that the HV system is down, which I'm fairly confident many people who work on their own HV car are not.

or, and I know this will sound crazy to people who work for BMW, but how about they make the vehicles be servicable by the owners?

Replacing that 12V battery is something that will need to be done at some point. If it is true that you need to disconnect the high voltage system to change the 12V battery (which makes no sense other than to be overly safe in case you trip and accidentally cut through the orange colored wires under the hood) it is not only a poor design but one done to purposly block our right as the owner of the vehicle to repair and maintain our own vehicles. It's bad enough that they don't make it easy to tell modern BMWs that you changed the battery so that it can recalibrate itself, but instead you need to go get it programmed or whatever they call it. That should be in the infotainment menu and accessible by a regular owner.

I can accept that a component that actually uses high voltage and is not a wear item that needs regular replacing needs to be worked on by someone who knows what they are doing, including knowing how to turn the HV system off and checking that it is indeed off.... a 12V battery is not that complicated nor is it dangerous. What's next, I won't be allowed to change my wiper blades without being a certified master technician?

Most owners will never bother with doing anything under the hood, but taking that opportunity away from the few people who want to is bad.

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

What's next, I won't be allowed to change my wiper blades without being a certified master technician?

The iX wiper blades have the windscreen washers integrated now so you’re probably not too far off :-p

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

or, and I know this will sound crazy to people who work for BMW, but how about they make the vehicles be servicable by the owners?

Replacing that 12V battery is something that will need to be done at some point. If it is true that you need to disconnect the high voltage system to change the 12V battery (which makes no sense other than to be overly safe in case you trip and accidentally cut through the orange colored wires under the hood) it is not only a poor design but one done to purposly block our right as the owner of the vehicle to repair and maintain our own vehicles. It's bad enough that they don't make it easy to tell modern BMWs that you changed the battery so that it can recalibrate itself, but instead you need to go get it programmed or whatever they call it. That should be in the infotainment menu and accessible by a regular owner.

I can accept that a component that actually uses high voltage and is not a wear item that needs regular replacing needs to be worked on by someone who knows what they are doing, including knowing how to turn the HV system off and checking that it is indeed off.... a 12V battery is not that complicated nor is it dangerous. What's next, I won't be allowed to change my wiper blades without being a certified master technician?

Most owners will never bother with doing anything under the hood, but taking that opportunity away from the few people who want to is bad.

Brings to mind my first BMW in Germany. I arrived in-country with a Bronco (quickly learning about negotiating narrow cobblestone streets), and soon exchanged it for a shiny new M5 (and a few extra Deutsche Marks), which was delivered to a local dealer. I had done virtually all the maintenance on that Bronco - including frequent offroad repairs. Changed the oil with my eyes closed. When the M5 was delivered, we had to go to the dealership to pick it up and go through the entire vehicle with the service/sales rep, practically bolt by bolt, with careful instruction on each part and feature - no shortcuts. The engine bay was full of very unfamiliar stuff (I had a "special," non-US spec car), and I casually asked "Where do I change the oil?" Herr Jürgen stiffened and drew himself up to his entire 5'5" height, put his face within an inch of mine, and in something microscopically lower than a full bellow said "BAY EM VAY CHANGE ZA OIL!!!" The only possible response was "Ich verstehe!"

[freshxdough]

it is absolutely true with any HV vehicle that you must disconnect the HV system and check that it is disconnected before disconnecting the 12v power supply. If you know anything about the HV battery you would know that there are switch contactors inside the battery (safety box) and these are powered by 12volts. If you disconnect the 12v battery with the HV up and running, you will arc the switch contactors as they slam open (because they are no longer being supplied the voltage to stay closed). if you know anything about arcing electricity you will know that It will wear down the contact points where the arcing occurs, severely reducing the service life of that component. At HV battery training they equated a hard shutdown like this to being the equivalent of 100,000 or so normal shut downs. (I have it written down somewhere)

I'm not here to cry and tell you that you have to use a dealer for everything, but I am saying that any unqualified persons should not be working on a HV system. And it is not always because of a HV danger, these cars are inherently safe. But you run the risk of damaging other components, even if you can't immediately see that damage.

The only thing under the hood the customer could possibly need access to is the 12V battery, and the coolant tanks. Yes, a 12v battery will eventually become exhausted and need to be replaced. The cooling systems on this vehicle however should never be touched by the customer. In fact, neither coolant tank has a level sensor for this very reason. If there is a leak, it needs to be diagnosed professionally as several HV components use coolant including the front and rear powertrain and HV battery unit. Coolant + electricity = bad.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

it is absolutely true with any HV vehicle that you must disconnect the HV system and check that it is disconnected before disconnecting the 12v power supply. If you know anything about the HV battery you would know that there are switch contactors inside the battery (safety box) and these are powered by 12volts. If you disconnect the 12v battery with the HV up and running, you will arc the switch contactors as they slam open (because they are no longer being supplied the voltage to stay closed). if you know anything about arcing electricity you will know that It will wear down the contact points where the arcing occurs, severely reducing the service life of that component. At HV battery training they equated a hard shutdown like this to being the equivalent of 100,000 or so normal shut downs. (I have it written down somewhere)

I'm not here to cry and tell you that you have to use a dealer for everything, but I am saying that any unqualified persons should not be working on a HV system. And it is not always because of a HV danger, these cars are inherently safe. But you run the risk of damaging other components, even if you can't immediately see that damage.

The only thing under the hood the customer could possibly need access to is the 12V battery, and the coolant tanks. Yes, a 12v battery will eventually become exhausted and need to be replaced. The cooling systems on this vehicle however should never be touched by the customer. In fact, neither coolant tank has a level sensor for this very reason. If there is a leak, it needs to be diagnosed professionally as several HV components use coolant including the front and rear powertrain and HV battery unit. Coolant + electricity = bad.

I would expect that electricity - coolant also = bad.