12GS low alternator output

[GSJoe]

I find it hard to understand why BMW designed the new 1200 with such a low alternator power output. The very nature of the bike and the image that BMW has given it, lend it perfect for long distance / ride around the world capabilities. So if you and your pillion are up to riding in all weathers you are likely to want to plug heated clothing in.

Then if you are likely to ride the bike in the dark, you soon realise how pathetic the bikes lights are, so you might want to consider adding auxiliary lighting.

All this adds up to trying to draw more juice than is available, so the alternator will not charge up the battery. What the hell were BMW thinking of by using such a low output alternator? And why is that considering BMW's technical expertise in both cars and bikes, they were unable to fit decent lighting to the bike.

I accept that there probably isn't any bike out there that is perfect but lights are an essential component on the bike and when you think that bikes half the price of the GS can often have excellent lights, then what happened to the 12GS?

The bottom line I suppose is to upgrade the alternator, so does anyone out there know if this is possible.

 

[OriginalGSer]

Come on GSJoe. Aren't you coming to play predictive responses on the I blame in Ewan thread

 

[Greg Masters]

I find it hard to understand why BMW designed the new 1200 with such a low alternator power output.

Is this a wind-up?

The 1200 has a 600w alternator. What do you want to do? Jump-start the QEII???

Greg

 

[GSJoe]

OGsr

Naw I'll let the others fall into that one and I will just laugh at the ones who bite.

Good job badger baiting has been banned.

 

[GSJoe]

Greg,

When I asked my dealer about fitting auxiliary lighting to my 12GS, he told me to be very careful as the electrical system did not have much in reserve. And reading comments in TT's lighting section they reckon there is only about 130 watts (think) in reserve.

So this is the reason for my concerns about connecting up extra lights in conjunction with the wife using all her plug in apparel etc.

The headlight runs all the time and if the heated grips are being used I wonder exactly how much reserve output can be used before the battery stops being charged.

So cos I'm not an expert I thought I would ask for advice............so no it is not a joke.

 

[GSmonkey]

I find it hard to understand why BMW designed the new 1200 with such a low alternator power output.

....do you not remember that BMW cut 30kg from the 1150 lardbucket?? How do you think you do a thing like that?? You cut weight from EVERY part of the bike possible. If you're very clever you can design the same strength in each part using less material / different material, but you also have to make some compromise.

 

[Mouse]

130W in reserve? That implies that the bike is drawing 470W as standard. Or about 35 amps - that seems awfully high.

For the record, I've got 110W of extra lighting on my bike, plus heated grips (probably another 30W), two heated jackets (say 20W each) and a sat nav (probably 5W if that!!). Never had any problems with the battery being drained, and never used a battery charger on it to this day either.

Possibly the 470W figure is correct if you have both brake servos running ... they seem to suck a lot of juice. But unless you have your brakes on all the time I don't think this is a concern.

 

[Cullen]

Greg,
So this is the reason for my concerns about connecting up extra lights in conjunction with the wife using all her plug in apparel etc.

Tell her to leave the hairdryer at home

 

[Mouse]

For comparison, here's some other bikes' alternator ratings (not guaranteed correct, just info I found on the web).

KTM 950 : 450W
Transalp : 300W
DL1000 (VStrom) : 400W
Buell Ulysseeeeeeees : 500W

Of course we don't know how much power the built in stuff (like fuel injection which is apparently quite power hungry) uses on those different bikes, but I think we can see that the 1200 is not underpowered in comparison.

 

[GSJoe]

Cullen,

It's not her hair dryer that I'm worried about It's the electric toy's that drain all the power.

However back to the original thread it does seem from what Mouse is saying, that the 12GS does not have such a low output as my dealer was suggesting, but the comments made by TT's lighting section made me wonder whether or not I would over load the system by putting some powerful auxiliary lighting on.

What I have also noticed is that my heated grips do not get so hot when wifey is running heated jacket and gloves etc.
Or maybe it's just my imagination. It is good to know however that others are using add on stuff without problems.

 

[Cullen]

It's not her hair dryer that I'm worried about It's the electric toy's that drain all the power... ...made me wonder whether or not I would over load the system by putting some powerful auxiliary lighting on.

So are you setting up some sort of stadium for the benefit of those not fortunate enough to be able to do their dogging in well-lit neighbourhoods?

 

[GSJoe]

So are you setting up some sort of stadium for the benefit of those not fortunate enough to be able to do their dogging in well-lit neighbourhoods?

Er not quite, I just can't see too well at night on unlit roads with the poor lights 0n my 12GS so am looking to put some decent lights on. But I have confused myself by reading conflicting reports on the amount of reserve power available.

I have seen a few different configurations but am unsure of the best way to go. I want to improve both dipped and main beam. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

 

[BBB61]

Have you thought about going the HID route? They give more light than normal headlights but consume a lot less power in the process.

 

[Mouse]

Although the fancy schmancy electronics of the 1200 might not run a HID lamp. I'm not sure and I haven't heard of anyone who's tried it.

As I understand it though, the control unit that powers the headlamps will detect how much current is flowing, and if there's too much, will cut the power. If there's too little it will display the "bulb blown" symbol on the dashboard but I've no idea how tolerant it is. It may also cut the power in this situation too - I seem to remember the horn circuit does this, so the light circuit probably does too.

It's quite possible you could wire in a dummy load to draw an extra bit of power to keep the control unit happy, if required.

An easy way to experiment, without buying an HID kit, would be to find a lower wattage incadescent bulb (35W? I think that's about what HID lamps generally use) and see if the bike is happy with it.