Battery Charging Via "Optimate III"

[GS Dawg]

Hi
I am sure on previous Bmer's I have owned I have been able to charge the battery using Optimate III via the vehicle DIN socket. I now own a 08 GS 1200, I bought a conversion lead from the normal cigar lighter/BMW DIN from Nippy Normans, but when I connected the charger, no charge was reaching the bike. Has anyone had previous experience with this or maybe just explain to me (A Biff !!) why this is !!
Many thanks : Dawg

 

[Peter Imperfect]

The problem is that the CanBus system doesn't allow you to charge the battery via the power socket.

There is a BM* charger that can do so (probably other makes too) but the optimate won't do it.

You will either have to use the crocodile clips to battery terminals route or buy the short connector lead that connects to the battery and allows you to connect the charger without removing the seat.

Hope this helps.

Pete.

 

[Palerider]

DON'T do it!!!

the 2008 bike has canbus and you can screw all sorts up using it that way. My solution was to run a separate din socket (or indeed take the original one and rewire it) directly to the battery, which by-passes the canbus. Mine's sat in the garage at this very moment quietly being charged.

P

 

[GS Dawg]

Battery Charge

Many thanks guys - luckily I only tried it for about 15 seconds and when nothing happened I disconnected everything. Thanks very much for your help - I will just go strait to the battery.

Happy New Year : Dawg

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

DON'T do it!!!

the 2008 bike has canbus

Haven't they all .................. I've got the standard Optimate rubber booted plug hardwired direct to the battery (as I've done with all my other bikes) and 2.5 years on I'm still on the original battery

 

[Jon P]

The proper solution - Stick your optimate on ebay and buy the BMW charger. Easy.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Why?

The proper solution - Stick your optimate on ebay and buy the BMW charger. Easy.

Is it REALLY worth an extra 100€ or so to not have to take off the seat to charge the bike - it takes about 30 seconds to connect up with crocodile clips.?

 

[wilbjr21]

Originally Posted by Palerider View Post
DON'T do it!!!

the 2008 bike has canbus

To be pedantic it has nothing whatsoever to do with the CANbus and everything to do with a unit callled unit called the ZFE.

Read this for a simple explanation of the system.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272927

If you can't be bothered to read it - this is the crux,

The real source of most ‘problems’ when it comes to modifying the electric system is the ZFE. So if you feel that you must blame something for your new farkle not working as promised, blame the ZFE. Or better yet understand how it works, realise its limitations, and work around it.

 

[Andy_E]

Is it REALLY worth an extra 100€ or so to not have to take off the seat to charge the bike - it takes about 30 seconds to connect up with crocodile clips.?

Or even the 10 minutes it takes to disconnect the battery, connect the Optimate booted lead, reconnect the battery, cable-tie the Optimate lead to somewhere convenient and connect to the Optimate that way?

 

[Palerider]

To be pedantic it has nothing whatsoever to do with the CANbus and everything to do with a unit callled unit called the ZFE.

Read this for a simple explanation of the system.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272927

If you can't be bothered to read it - this is the crux,

The real source of most ‘problems’ when it comes to modifying the electric system is the ZFE. So if you feel that you must blame something for your new farkle not working as promised, blame the ZFE. Or better yet understand how it works, realise its limitations, and work around it.

Geek! ....Good article though....

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Battery charging

Or even the 10 minutes it takes to disconnect the battery, connect the Optimate booted lead, reconnect the battery, cable-tie the Optimate lead to somewhere convenient and connect to the Optimate that way?

Sorry - I should have said that it takes ME about 30 seconds - I have never disconnected the battery, nor cable tied the Optimate lead - my original battery seemed as good as new after 4 years. My main source of lost time is looking for my glasses & I have to do that even with a highly priced BMW charger!

 

[wilbjr21]

Geek! ....Good article though....

I thought so too. The chap explains things in a very good way.

Happy new year.

 

[Andy_E]

Sorry - I should have said that it takes ME about 30 seconds - I have never disconnected the battery, nor cable tied the Optimate lead - my original battery seemed as good as new after 4 years. My main source of lost time is looking for my glasses & I have to do that even with a highly priced BMW charger!

Sorry as well, didn't quite put my point across to the OP that if he wants the convenience of a plug/socket approach rather than removing the seat a one-off investment of 10 minutes will put him in the same position with the optimate as a BMW charger, however I'd had a drink or 3 more than I normally would when trying to make a sensible post!

 

[GS Dawg]

Direct To The Battery

Have just read the user guide that comes with the bike and it warns against connecting anything other than BMW chargers even direct to the battery - is this a ploy to get you to buy the OEM equipment !!!! Dawg

 

[Tartan Terror]

Have just read the user guide that comes with the bike and it warns against connecting anything other than BMW chargers even direct to the battery - is this a ploy to get you to buy the OEM equipment !!!! Dawg

You said it!! Of course it is.

I have used the Optimate III on both my 1200's. An 05 & 08 and it works perfectly. Used the wee lead connected directly to the battery.

 

[gavin@iow]

Or even the 10 minutes it takes to disconnect the battery, connect the Optimate booted lead, reconnect the battery, cable-tie the Optimate lead to somewhere convenient and connect to the Optimate that way?

My solution is similar, i used the optimate fixed socket part no TM-78. Take of riders seat, lift off tool tray to reveal compartment underneath, on the l/h side using a cone drill, make a 18mm hole, giving clearance for the tool tray to seat down, fit the socket and route cable alongside existing cable coming out of the under tray compartment, and attach to the battery direct. I have both an optimate and bmw charger, and both work withought turning ign on/off etc. Sorry, can't post pics, but it really is a neat job, and looks 'factory', if you see what i mean

 

[elefantmanshawn]

Optimates? dead batteries are best avoided by riding the bike!,you know helmet on,start up,first gear and braap,return with grin.Thats why I bought mine anyway..........

 

[GSband]

And now, a warning for CANbus bikers: if your battery's dead, some chargers send high voltage through the wires to revive the battery. 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.