Battery charging

[Lochsider-]

Hi,
I am new to the forum and drive a 2016 GTi manual, 1.8TSi engine. Its a terrific little beast.
I decided a couple of weeks ago to garage it for the winter. I have purchased an Optimate 5 desulph charger as I want to leave it connected. The battery is buried below the spare wheel and has a cover clamped over it. Is there a way to access the +ve pillar without going to the trouble of removing the clamped cover and where should I connect the -ve clamp to in the boot area ?

Thanks,

Mike

[Dink]

Connect it under the bonnet. There's a positive terminal there and it'll give lots of places to connect the negative.

[Lochsider-]

Hi Dink,

Thanks for your reply.
I had hoped that there were connection possibilities under the bonnet, but there is no mention in my handbook of this, a visual check under the bonnet does not reveal immediately if anywhere to hook up. Can you steer me further as to where I can hook up. I know to connect directly onto the live feed from the battery, and the -ve should go onto a decent chassis connection and not the -ve lead, but where do I find these ?

Thanks,

Mike

[Dink]

Hi Dink,

Thanks for your reply.
I had hoped that there were connection possibilities under the bonnet, but there is no mention in my handbook of this, a visual check under the bonnet does not reveal immediately if anywhere to hook up. Can you steer me further as to where I can hook up. I know to connect directly onto the live feed from the battery, and the -ve should go onto a decent chassis connection and not the -ve lead, but where do I find these ?

Thanks,

Mike

it's next to the right hand side of the airbox. think you need to flip it up to access the terminal

[Lochsider-]

Got it, tks

Mike

[CarbonChaos]

Personally I disconnect the -ve terminal in the boot when mine is laid up over winter as my storage has no power.
A battery maintainer would be preferable but not an option for me.