1200 GS Optimate Question

David Price

David Price

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Gents

I'm just about to change from an 1150 to a 2012 1200 GS

Question about battery chargers.

Do I need a special type of Optimate for the Can Bus style of electrics on the 1200, or can I just connect my existing Optimate direct to the battery?

Tried doing a search on here but couldn't find anything.

Cheers
 
Sorry to be thick

So if I connect a normal Optimate lead directly to my battery can I then just plug my normal Optimate to it?

Cheers
 
My Optimate flying lead's hard wired to the battery - works a treat and means I can swap the Optimate over as needed to other car/bike.
 
You might consider disconnecting your 12V socket (the one below the seat) from the CAN bus and wiring it directly to the battery, with an 8 A fuse in the + lead. Then you can charge the battery through the socket. The added value of having the socket switched over the CAN bus is unclear to me.
 
......or just buy the correct BMW charger?
 
Has the BMW charger been designed by the canbus team so there are no code missmatch issues? Of course it has. BMW wont have rebadged an Optimate copy. Oh no.

The canbus electronics would not be designed to work with float charger electronics. The charger *can* cope, but there are reported issues where the canbus does not shut down normally. Connecting direct to the battery takes out anything that can cause confusion either for the canbus or the charger. Keep it simple and connect direct. It takes 10 minutes with a screwdriver.

The Optimate does not need to be used 100% of the time the bike isn't in use. When the battery needs a top up or the bike is being long term stored, it's no big deal to whip the seat off.
 
I used an Optimate for over 9 years on my 1200GS.
I recently replaced the original battery recently (Motobatt) because I had some spare cash and thought it was preventative maintenance..

:rob
 
Qptimate 4 is canbus compatible I charge mine through the accessory plug , you have to touch the red and red leads together to convert to optimate modes , earlier types just connect to the battery as said
 
Bendy toy said:
The Optimate does not need to be used 100% of the time the bike isn't in use. When the battery needs a top up or the bike is being long term stored, it's no big deal to whip the seat off.
Click to expand...

Conversely it's no big deal just to plug the canbus fitting into its socket?
 
Miff said:
The OP already has an optimate. Why would he spend upwards of £80 for the BMW charger, when he could use his existing charger???
Click to expand...

.....and why not? Right tool for the job and all that. To me, it's always a simple answer - use the correct OEM part. Then, if something goes wrong you have proper back up.
 
A number of years ago I fitted a fusebox under the seat which has 6 switched and 2 unswitched outputs. Being connected directly to the battery this allows me to power all the stuff I need from SatNav to heated gear. I also changed the under seat accessory socket and fitted a powerlet socket direct to an unswitched output of the fusebox - this so I can use it regardless of whether the ignition is on or not. This is where I plug the Optimate 3 in whenever I need to. Bit of work to get the fusebox fitted in the first place but makes everything electrical nice and easy afterwards. Well worth it if you like adding anything electrical to your bike.
 
Jon P said:
.....and why not? Right tool for the job and all that. To me, it's always a simple answer - use the correct OEM part. Then, if something goes wrong you have proper back up.
Click to expand...

What can go wrong connecting the existing optimate up to the battery with a £5 lead?? Absolutely nothing.

If you can afford to waste £70-80 on another charger, then good for you. I don't understand this desperate need to waste money when there are better alternatives for a lot LESS money.
 
I am always one to use the right tool for the job. But, that isn't always the OEM tool.
The Optimate is a fantastic charger.
The OP has one.
10 minutes and a £2 fuse holder will make it the perfect tool for the job.

For the life of me I can't see why you would blow £80 (to add more Canbus complexity to a very simple task).
 
Sure, if you want to fit your two pound extras to your 12 grand bike.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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