Battery Power

[gazzr]

Hi All,

I’m off on an 8 month trip next year and hope to be taking a PDA/GPS, iPOD, Heated grips and maybe some other stuff. Do you think the standard BMW battery will be able to cope with me running these gadgets (normally when I am riding the bike but sometimes for a few hours in the evening when the bike is not running) or should I be investing in a heavy duty battery? If so which one can you recommend?

Thanks
gazzr

 

[Greg Masters]

It'd help if you said what bike you're going to be on.

It's rather less to do with the battery, more to do with the alternator!

Greg

 

[gazzr]

Hi Greg,

Sorry mate. Hope to be riding a BMW1150GS.

Thanks
gazzr

 

[turbine_2]

Depends on what the other stuff is but from the list you've given there I would say no problems. PDA / GPS / IPod will draw minimal power and the heated grips I'm guessing you'll only have on with the engine.

 

[Greg Masters]

Yes, if the bike came out of the factory with heated grip and/or ABS it will have a very chunky alternator - strong enough for anything most sensible people would want!

Aside from ABS and grips and usual bike stuff, I also have:

• twin horns
• extra driving lamps
• Autocom
• bike-to-bike radio
• heated jacket
• Sat Nav
• extra rear lights

...all bike powered and never a problem.

Greg

 

[Steptoe]

but sometimes for a few hours in the evening when the bike is not running) or should I be investing in a heavy duty battery? If so which one can you recommend?

Thanks
gazzr

i wouldn't use the BM 19amp battery for long without the engine running . i-pod isn't going to draw much current; surely your not going to run the heated grips while parked up ? they'll soon flatten the battery .

 

[Flaps]

Did the 1150GS come with different battery or alternator sizes?

My 1150 (V reg '99) came with out heated grips, which I then installed. I also use a heated jacket. My battery is now due for replacement.

Coincidence? You decide.....

 

[Fanum]

Did the 1150GS come with different battery or alternator sizes?

My 1150 (V reg '99) came with out heated grips, which I then installed. I also use a heated jacket. My battery is now due for replacement.

Coincidence? You decide.....

Erm....yeah.......

If it's still the '99 battery in there, then it's dome pretty damn well to last 5 years and would be overdue for replacement anyway.

Gazzr......as said already, your current battery rolleyes: ) should be man enough for the job...I'd be looking at its date though.....if it's over 2 years old, replace it for peace of mind and you might as well go for a slightly larger capacity one for the few extra quid while you're at it.

Otherwise, don't worry about it.......batteries are available pretty much anywhere even if you might have to get a slightly different physical size..it's not like they're rigidly model specific parts like engine components.