[cyn]

Hi

I've taken my first step into the world of McLaren, just purchased a 570GT (taking delivery on Friday as I'm traveling atm). I've followed McLaren for years and with all the Porsche and Lotus Emira delays I suddenly wondered if a pre-owned McLaren was possible. And it was. Still feels somewhat surreal but am excited to get behind the wheel.

I am planning to drive the 570 fairly regularly but not as a daily driver and likely not at the track. Given touring and weekend trips are the focus, I had some questions:

• Is the trickle charger from McLaren a must or will something like one from CTEK do the job? The dealership are offering me one for $350 which seems steep.
• Related, I thought the engine bay on the 570GT was sealed (or at least not easily accessible), where are the charge points for the battery?
• Any suggestions on luggage that fit the frunk?

Finally, think the first addition will be a front/rear dashcam and I like the setup Invictus had using a completely separate battery so I'll probably run with that. Still deciding on the actual cam but the BlackVue DR900X-2CH looks pretty solid.

That'll do for now, any help would be great.

 

[restosud]

the ctek you saw will do the job. the oem ctek charger is 7A vs 4A iirc but it won't matter.there's a cigarette lighter plug in the frunk for the charger to plug into.
mac made/makes superseries luggage but not sure if ever made p13 specific luggage. tumi currently has a mac line of stuff that should fit.

 

[invisiblewave]

There's quite a lot of space in the back. I haven't tried, but you could probably get a small rollaboard in it.

You'll be missing out if you don't track it. One of the most exciting days of my life, and I used to be a base jumper.

 

[Topcarbon]

I use duffle bags and back packs

 

[EMF Audio (McMedics)]

Hi

I've taken my first step into the world of McLaren, just purchased a 570GT (taking delivery on Friday as I'm traveling atm). I've followed McLaren for years and with all the Porsche and Lotus Emira delays I suddenly wondered if a pre-owned McLaren was possible. And it was. Still feels somewhat surreal but am excited to get behind the wheel.

I am planning to drive the 570 fairly regularly but not as a daily driver and likely not at the track. Given touring and weekend trips are the focus, I had some questions:

• Is the trickle charger from McLaren a must or will something like one from CTEK do the job? The dealership are offering me one for $350 which seems steep.
• Related, I thought the engine bay on the 570GT was sealed (or at least not easily accessible), where are the charge points for the battery?
• Any suggestions on luggage that fit the frunk?

Finally, think the first addition will be a front/rear dashcam and I like the setup Invictus had using a completely separate battery so I'll probably run with that. Still deciding on the actual cam but the BlackVue DR900X-2CH looks pretty solid.

That'll do for now, any help would be great.

The McLaren charger IS a Ctek. As mentioned, there is a cigarette lighter plug in the frunk for charging, so you'll want that attachment. The battery is right behind that panel, where you could access it with alligator clips if you had to. Big picture, if you're driving it at least every 2-3 weeks you should never need the tender anyway. For luggage, you have a lot of space. You can easily get a carry on roller bag and a backpack in the front, the rear has quite a bit of space too. You could get several duffel bags in the back.

 

[roundincircles]

The Mclaren battery tender is a CTek but a model that serves lithium batteries.

There is a view that keeping the charger attached 'manages' the battery to keep it in optimum condition and, in cold weather, ensures it is at optimum tempreture.

 

[EMF Audio (McMedics)]

The Mclaren battery tender is a CTek but a model that serves lithium batteries.

There is a view that keeping the charger attached 'manages' the battery to keep it in optimum condition and, in cold weather, ensures it is at optimum tempreture.

In my observation, tender doesn't extend life. Driving the car does the best job of battery maintenance. This is based on people who use tenders vs don't and when batteries are being replaced or not.

 

[Invictus]

Congrats on the car!

I'm still pleased with my Blackvue 2CH camera set up. Using the separate rechargeable battery works like a charm for parking mode. The battery is out of view, rock solid / sturdy, easy access and not interfering with the cars battery. Blackvue had a few bugs with using the iCloud but that's all worked out. I'm typically not far from my car when out and about but it's good to have that extra EYE on things.

PICS PICS PICS

 

[roundincircles]

In my observation, tender doesn't extend life. Driving the car does the best job of battery maintenance. This is based on people who use tenders vs don't and when batteries are being replaced or not.

Sure. But those of us in climates where winters are cool, and we can't drive the cars, then that kills batteries but CTek will keep it warm. Maybe its about not shortening life....but that's semantics.

 

[EMF Audio (McMedics)]

Sure. But those of us in climates where winters are cool, and we can't drive the cars, then that kills batteries but CTek will keep it warm. Maybe its about not shortening life....but that's semantics.

You should be starting and running them in that time anyway. I drive mine cold enough to know the temperature reading in the instrument cluster turns red, because it's cold.

 

[DW SD]

lithium batteries (pretty much any Lithium chemistry) don't do well maintained at full charge (unlike lead acid chemistries). Keeping it pegged at the top end (or bottom) of the range diminishes total # of cycles of which they are good for thousands when new. Best for the battery is actually storing mid-range, state of charge (SOC).
Kind of like when you receive your new iPhone, which might have been built weeks or months before. It will come at 50% +/- 10% charge, but not at 100% or 0%.
If you read Apple's term storage instructions, they'll tell you to put the battery in mid range for long term storage.

CTEK should make a trickle charger which holds @ 50% SOC, maybe 13.1 volts.

Best practice might be: plug it in overnight and charge to full. Then let is slowly bleed down and maybe plug back in a month later.
Doug

 

[EMF Audio (McMedics)]

lithium batteries (pretty much any Lithium chemistry) don't do well maintained at full charge (unlike lead acid chemistries). Keeping it pegged at the top end (or bottom) of the range diminishes total # of cycles of which they are good for thousands when new. Best for the battery is actually storing mid-range, state of charge (SOC).
Kind of like when you receive your new iPhone, which might have been built weeks or months before. It will come at 50% +/- 10% charge, but not at 100% or 0%.
If you read Apple's term storage instructions, they'll tell you to put the battery in mid range for long term storage.

CTEK should make a trickle charger which holds @ 50% SOC, maybe 13.1 volts.

Best practice might be: plug it in overnight and charge to full. Then let is slowly bleed down and maybe plug back in a month later.
Doug

This is accurate. 80% charge is the true happy place of longevity. 13.4-13.6 is what batteries are resting at, if you watch voltage from the car the alternator only goes to 14v when it's significantly discharged. It will shut off the alternator periodically to float and improve fuel economy as well.

 

[DW SD]

This SOC chart is for LiFEO4 chemistry, but pretty similar to other Lithium chems. I use this in tracking the large battery bank (600ah) I built for my bus camper.

 

[eMcL]

https://www.batterystuff.com/files/manual-ctek-lithium-us.pdf

 

[cyn]

Wow, thanks for all the advice all. Sounds like I can just try out a few overnight bags, back packs etc and find something that works for luggage/weekend trips.

The battery is an interesting one. I do plan to drive it regularly and I have heard that Li Ion/Polymer batteries prefer to be kept 50-80% charged so driving it for a few hours each week might be ideal - the alternator will charge it, then it can discharge a bit during the week, then charge it again after one or two weeks. And set a reminder to check it each week!

I will reconsider track days. Am a little worried about the brakes but I guess I'll get a feel for them and decide. Would likely want different tyres as well.. but could always switch them out for track days.

I'll figure out the dash cam and yeah, I'll run with the separate battery. Invictus I may well contact you re how you ran the cables but I'll take a look once I get my hands on it.

Pics, for sure I took a couple at the dealership... The color is a wrap (it's silver underneath) and I think it works with the dark interior, all black trim and wheels. I arranged with the dealer to remove in the future if I didn't like it.

And here's one of possibly the best second hand car lot I've ever seen

 

[EMF Audio (McMedics)]

That has steel brakes, pads are cheap, rotors are cheap, track it and enjoy it. I have carbon ceramics and still go to town. I bought it to enjoy it, not keeping it for the next person.

 

[CloudBadinage]

Looks like you’re in Palo Alto. So am I, waiting on the return of my 12C. Congratulations on the purchase, hope to see you around.

 

[roundincircles]

lithium batteries (pretty much any Lithium chemistry) don't do well maintained at full charge (unlike lead acid chemistries). Keeping it pegged at the top end (or bottom) of the range diminishes total # of cycles of which they are good for thousands when new. Best for the battery is actually storing mid-range, state of charge (SOC).
Kind of like when you receive your new iPhone, which might have been built weeks or months before. It will come at 50% +/- 10% charge, but not at 100% or 0%.
If you read Apple's term storage instructions, they'll tell you to put the battery in mid range for long term storage.

CTEK should make a trickle charger which holds @ 50% SOC, maybe 13.1 volts.

Best practice might be: plug it in overnight and charge to full. Then let is slowly bleed down and maybe plug back in a month later.
Doug

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought CTek had a recondition cycle that discharged and charged the battery at intervals whilst plugged in......origionally that was their major usp.

I leave a motorcycle outside thru the winter plugged in and the battery is good whereas before this practice the battery would often fail by the Spring.

 

[EMF Audio (McMedics)]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought CTek had a recondition cycle that discharged and charged the battery at intervals whilst plugged in......origionally that was their major usp.

I leave a motorcycle outside thru the winter plugged in and the battery is good whereas before this practice the battery would often fail by the Spring.

Do you have a lithium battery on it? AGM and lead acid reconditioned is very different.

 

[ImHuntingWabbits]

• Any suggestions on luggage that fit the frunk?

These stack well and fit comfortably (The Triple Zipper Weekender):

Bags | Clutches, Purses, Totes, Travel Bags | Cuyana

Versatile and functional bags, purses, and totes in luxurious leathers.

www.cuyana.com

My track day travel bag is just a lululemon duffel which also fits well alongside my backpack and track box.

https://shop.lululemon.com/p/bags/Core-Duffle-2-38L/_/prod10510089?CID=Google_Accessories_Shopping%2BBrand_US_ag%3DBags&color=1966&gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuakjrmwGLdyLbEr8ISGMz_39mZ48ZjGjccnk95l5S7-BBcENdhA--u9xoCF4gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&locale=en_US&sl=US&sz=ONESIZE