Battery Query (possibly a silly question)

[Cymru-Dave]

Hi Folks,

I want to fit a pig tail to my battery on my 2012 GSA for connecting my optimate, my first query is which is the best way to disconnect, I was thinking black first then red, attach pigtail, then re-attach red then black...?

Also I was a little concerned as to whether I would be affecting anything with the onboard computer if I do disconnect or will all be fine?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Disconnect the black first and attach it last. You will need to do a TPS reset before you start the bike. Switch on ignition, slowly fully open and close the throttle 3 times then switch the ignition off. Carry on as normal after that. You will need to set the clock as well.

 

[Doofus]

Hi Folks,

I want to fit a pig tail to my battery on my 2012 GSA for connecting my optimate, my first query is which is the best way to disconnect, I was thinking black first then red, attach pigtail, then re-attach red then black...?

Also I was a little concerned as to whether I would be affecting anything with the onboard computer if I do disconnect or will all be fine?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

As far as the electronics are concerned it makes no difference in which order you disconnect / reconnect. As a practical matter, your proposed approach is best as it means if your screwdriver accidentally touches the frame while also touching the red battery terminal you will not get a short circuit if the black has already been disconnected / not yet reconnected.

 

[Cymru-Dave]

Thanks folks, successfully attached the pigtail to the battery, ignition on and all was fine, clock stayed the same too, still on summertime hours but the LED's on this optimate are confusing, the 4 page manual even more so, but it's flashing green so I can only assume that's a good thing :-/

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

It flashes, after the initial charge cycle, to check battery voltage does not drop, it will then go to a steady green if all is OK.

 

[littleade]

I've just put an optimate 4 on mine so if that's what you've got then you should get the top left green light on all the time. if it's charging the bottom right orange charge light will be on with one of the orange lights up the middle to indicate how much charge it's putting into the battery. once fully charged the top right green light will be either constant to say it's fully charged or flashing when it's during its 30 minute rest cycle. I agree the manual could be a lot better! HTH

 

[Cymru-Dave]

I've just put an optimate 4 on mine so if that's what you've got then you should get the top left green light on all the time. if it's charging the bottom right orange charge light will be on with one of the orange lights up the middle to indicate how much charge it's putting into the battery. once fully charged the top right green light will be either constant to say it's fully charged or flashing when it's during its 30 minute rest cycle. I agree the manual could be a lot better! HTH

That's good to hear and exactly what I'm seeing on mine! Thanks littleada!

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Not wishing to hijack thread, but I am in a similar position and about to change my battery for the first time and wondered was there anything special I needed to do. ie re the canbus.

Is it ok to just disconnect and reconnect as with older models, or is there something particular required to reset everything etc etc.

Cheers

 

[RickSkye]

So which model opitmate has everyone got?
Littleade has a 4......

 

[drinu64]

Happy new year to all. My Varta wet battery just died. What do you ppl recommend? Thanks in advance 

Sent from my GT-I9060I using Tapatalk

 

[Uncle-Fester]

I got one of these, free delivery on a next day courier, good battery.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321111604995?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Cymru-Dave]

I've got the optimate 4, I tried firing the bike up this morning after it being hooked up over night, much faster to turnover!

 

[littleade]

Not wishing to hijack thread, but I am in a similar position and about to change my battery for the first time and wondered was there anything special I needed to do. ie re the canbus.

Is it ok to just disconnect and reconnect as with older models, or is there something particular required to reset everything etc etc.

Cheers

You can get the hella plug version that plugs straight into your aux socket if you want that you have to plug in within I think 30 seconds before the canbus closes everything down, though I chose the base model 4 and fitted the tail as it's cheaper than the canbus one and talking to the lady on the stand at the show the canbus version won't recover really flat batteries. I actually bastardised the lead as it wasn't long enough so used the cable from the other one supplied that had crocodile clips attached (leaving a bit of cable both ends in case I want to use that later). I soldered the cables together staggering the joints and used shrink down off fleebay to make a decent job and the socket now sits under the seat at the back of the flat aluminium thingy in the space between it and the plastic casing.

When I disconnected my battery to fit the tail (Black first as above) all I had to do was input the clock time, but as Marki says I also need to reset the TPS too

 

[littleade]

I've got the optimate 4, I tried firing the bike up this morning after it being hooked up over night, much faster to turnover!

Do they do a lead to plug SWMBO in

 

[AustinW]

So which model opitmate has everyone got?
Littleade has a 4......

Hi Rick, how's it going? Merry new year etc

I have an Optimate 4 that, were I to use it, plugs in via the supplied Tamiya style connector direct to the battery. I also use this to connect various chargers for phones etc when travelling. You can also charge via the onboard accessory socket by attaching a Hella style plug to the optimate lead. BUT I am not 100% sure how it works with the can-bus, (I THINK the Can Bus will shut down the circuit if it senses overcharging, and may not keep the circuit open if it senses under charging) although I suspect you can work that one out yourself.

 

[RickSkye]

I think the direct battery connection will be much easier.
I did not think of charging phones ect, good idea.

 

[littleade]

I think the direct battery connection will be much easier.
I did not think of charging phones ect, good idea.

I read elsewhere that the aux socket will not power a tyre compressor either if you carry one as part of a puncture repair kit so a direct (fused) connection to the battery would be needed, which the optimate lead should provide

 

[AustinW]

I think the direct battery connection will be much easier.
I did not think of charging phones ect, good idea.

I have attached a standard cigarette lighter style plug to a short length of cable with a Tamiya connector on. In the plug I put double USB adapter for phones camera etc. this all attaches to the battery tender lead.

I also have an ignition switched Hella plug again with a twin USB adapter up forward in the cockpit for on the move charging - I use a small Kriega pocket attached to the handlebar to hold the devices and try and keep two cheapy USB batteries charged up via this plug for in-tent charging. Sat nav is via the accessory outlet under the headlamp.

I also have two powerlet outlets, one switched one direct to battery for heated jackets, but could be other uses.

This gives me lots of options when on my travels, and so far no battery issues. Gs911 shows 14.4 volts with everything plugged in and on

The under the seat accessory socket and the sat nav power powers down about 2 mins after the ignition is switched off.

 

[AustinW]

I read elsewhere that the aux socket will not power a tyre compressor either if you carry one as part of a puncture repair kit so a direct (fused) connection to the battery would be needed, which the optimate lead should provide

I think the max load on the Acc socket is 5amps. A decent compressor is more like 8amp so the standard socket will close down. Another reason why I have the tender lead direct to battery.

 

[RickSkye]

Much to think about. I would like to run a lead to the top box so I can charge stuff and power the phone for music. Like i have on the ta. Just have to get a surface mount connector for the top box and make up a lead between the 2.
I assume the ignition switched outlet is via a relay, where did you take the "ignition switched" from?