1200GS Battery Charging

[robfin]

I have taken the plunge and swopped my 2001 1150GS for a 07 1200GS.
Regarding Battery charging;
Am I right in thinking that I cannot use my Accumate charger via the assessory plug, as I did on the 1150, and if not, do I have to disconnect the battery from the bike before I connect it via crocodile clips to the charger?.....hassle!!
Also if I was to purchase a BMW charger would this situation change?
lastly, if this is the case is there a cheaper solution to chrging through the ass. plug, as I would imagine the BMW item will cost an arm and a leg?
Any advise would be welcome, exept 'swop the bike back', cause I have already been through that!
Thanks

robfin

 

[PJ1200]

Yes, you are right in thinking you cant use the assessory socket with the accumate. Its to do with the canbus system powering down the socket after a while when the ignitions turned off. No need to buy a new charger, Just fit the clips straight to the battery. no need to disconnect the battery from the bike either. Thats what i do and haven't had a problem yet.

 

[robfin]

Thanks for that. I am pleased that I do not have to disconnect the battery just for a trickle and do not have to go to additional expense.

robfin

 

[Brian ROSEN]

What a relief

Thanks for that. I am pleased that I do not have to disconnect the battery just for a trickle and do not have to go to additional expense.

robfin

Thank goodness someone has come up with the correct answer straigtaway - and you won't have to do it very often or at all if you use your bike regularly Summer or Winter - for which it is most suitable.( Particularly if you fit a GSA screen - but that is another thread!)

 

[Slowdown]

Thank goodness someone has come up with the correct answer straigtaway - and you won't have to do it very often or at all if you use your bike regularly Summer or Winter - for which it is most suitable.( Particularly if you fit a GSA screen - but that is another thread!)

Seconded!

(Only I've got an Optimate, but the theory's the same )

 

[Beano]

Yes, you are right in thinking you cant use the assessory socket with the accumate. Its to do with the canbus system powering down the socket after a while when the ignitions turned off. No need to buy a new charger, Just fit the clips straight to the battery. no need to disconnect the battery from the bike either. Thats what i do and haven't had a problem yet.

+1

 

[Wierd Bob]

Thank goodness someone has come up with the correct answer straigtaway - and you won't have to do it very often or at all if you use your bike regularly Summer or Winter - for which it is most suitable.( Particularly if you fit a GSA screen - but that is another thread!)

I have to say, I have found when I did put mine on trickle charge (not that it didn't start or that I wasn't using it) it reported as only about 50% charged (yes I know the charge meters are just guesstimates but the volt meter confirmed it). I guess its all the short commutes around town and the odd stall doing some off road (why o why is that first gear so tall????). I know the battery goes down very fast with the ignition switched to on and the bike not running.

IMHO the odd top up, especially if you have an alarm is no bad thing.

 

[GSband]

And now, a warning : if your battery's dead, some chargers send high voltage through the wires. If your battery is connected to the on board electronics, there's a real risk of damage to the electronics.
So first find out if your battery is still ok. How ? Turn on your ignition. If the display shows anything, then you can charge the battery while it's connected to the bike.