Batteries etc

[Deano64]

Hello All

A couple of questions - On the BMW charger for the aux socket , I've read that if you don't attach it within 15 mins of turning the ignition off, then it won't charge ? Doesn't this defeat the object - if you have got a flat battery and want to charge it, you can't until you have switched the ignition on, or is the info wrong.

Alternatively a normal charger attached to the battery would probably be OK, but never actually looked for the battery. It's 2 screws down either side of the headstock and then all visible screws on the panel isn't it - and watch out for any wiring still attached ?

Much obliged

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Fit an additional socket straight to the battery via a fuse. Then you can use this for charging and also for any higher current devices such as compressor or heated jacket.

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Carefull what you wire direct to the battery, 'intelligent' chargers ie optimate for example are ok.

Connecting a mungo gert car/truck battery charger could result in overcharging, knackering the battery and causing it to leak acid goo everywhere! possibly rodgering the oh so nice CanBus system on the bike as well!


PS I have used an optimate wired direct to the battery on my 1200GS for the last 5yrs no probs, its now on my 800GS.
I ride pretty much day in day out so its not often it'll spend long periods on charge, but had no probs when it has been.

 

[v8legend]

Hello All

A couple of questions - On the BMW charger for the aux socket , I've read that if you don't attach it within 15 mins of turning the ignition off, then it won't charge ? Doesn't this defeat the object - if you have got a flat battery and want to charge it, you can't until you have switched the ignition on, or is the info wrong.

Alternatively a normal charger attached to the battery would probably be OK, but never actually looked for the battery. It's 2 screws down either side of the headstock and then all visible screws on the panel isn't it - and watch out for any wiring still attached ?

Much obliged

I don't turn my bike on first, I just plug it in. It works fine.

Before I got my BMW charger (off this ere site, about £40 I think), I had an optimate connected to the battery. The BMW charger is fuss free, and shows the 4 different phases of charging/battery state. There's not a lot of room under the dummy tank, and I had to route the socket down to the left hand vent by your left knee. I wasn't too happy about having a lead so close to the radiator.

 

[Deano64]

Thanks all

It was the quote below from the Nippy Normans site that put me off about the BMW charger

'IMPORTANT CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
What is not mentioned in the otherwise brilliant instructions is that if the charger is connected more than 15 minutes after the ignition is switched off then on some models it will not work !
In other words the socket is only able to start the process within 15 minutes of the engine being switched off.

So if my bike has been in garage for 1 month without being run and battery is flat ( I haven't checked yet) will this thing just plug in and charge it no fuss.

Ta

 

[v8legend]

As I was taking my bike in for some work last Saturday, I thought I better put the charger on before I went. My bike was last used on Nov 2nd, all I did was plug the charger in the aux socket then turn the mains on. The charger worked fine.

 

[Dean]

Gremlins

Thanks all

It was the quote below from the Nippy Normans site that put me off about the BMW charger

'IMPORTANT CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
What is not mentioned in the otherwise brilliant instructions is that if the charger is connected more than 15 minutes after the ignition is switched off then on some models it will not work !
In other words the socket is only able to start the process within 15 minutes of the engine being switched off.

So if my bike has been in garage for 1 month without being run and battery is flat ( I haven't checked yet) will this thing just plug in and charge it no fuss.

Ta

Deano64,

I have the BMW trickle charger, this one :

My personal experience is as follows......

I keep it plugged in straight after riding and it holds the battery in a good condition. (lights go up from red to green) But if I forget to plug it in for a couple of days, then the battery is Dead and plugging in the trickle charger does nothing to revive it, so its panel off and charge with the big boy charger.

Personaly I think its the BMW fitted Alarm that drains the power although its turned off its passive as activated by remote fob (surely its on a kind of standby just like a tv and emitts power)

also I have to remove my garmin as the trickle charger I think turns it on

 

[v8legend]

Personaly I think its the BMW fitted Alarm that drains the power although its turned off its passive as activated by remote fob (surely its on a kind of standby just like a tv and emitts power)

also I have to remove my garmin as the trickle charger I think turns it on

That's the same charger that I've got (same part No), and I have none of your issues? I've also got the factory fit alarm. It does go in to stand by after a while, as the red light stops flashing!

Having read of the potential problems with the Garmin, I also take mine off when parked up, although I fail to see why it can't cope with that low drain?

All I can tell you is 6 - 8 weeks is all it can manage without the charger. Charger left in no probs.

Having said that, I tend to use it one month on, then one month off, but I don't go through the ignition on malarky.

 

[Dave Ett]

But if I forget to plug it in for a couple of days, then the battery is Dead

Have you got an autocom wired in to it?

 

[Dean]

I've also got the factory fit alarm. It does go in to stand by after a while, as the red light stops flashing!

LEG end thats interesting. are you saying you always alarm your bike with what you mention above?

My alarm also supplied and fitted by bmw I only set when I leave the bike in a iffy enviroment, press the remote fob button indicators flash and when set the red light on the console flashes!

at home garaged not required and this is where its charged or not

Maybe the alarm has a fault (gremlins) a lot of peeps would not have one because of issues. ok they would test an alarm by saying there you go now its on now its off but i wonder how many test or measure a power drain (if its possible)

I would add that I thought I had a spent battery in the past as had in my mind to many flat moments so I have replaced with new of the same.

maybe I have a wiring issue some where on the Bus

but as mentioned before with trickle charger in and garmin off its a happy bunny

Have you got an autocom wired in to it?

no auto com as yet Dave but its on the want list

 

[v8legend]

are you saying you always alarm your bike with what you mention above?

My alarm also supplied and fitted by bmw I only set when I leave the bike

My alarm is set to automatically come on whenever I park, so yes it's on whilst in the garage. NOG said I'd find it a pain (I do sometimes), but I still think it is better than forgetting.

 

[Dave Ett]

no auto com as yet Dave but its on the want list

Ah, just wondered as they WILL flatten your battery if you don't fit a switch in the power line. the claim that it turns off when the master headset is unplugged is rowlocks!