Can Bus and Optimate

[Istanbulian]

My HP2 Sports does not have the fitted power socket to enable me to use the fancy BMW can-bus compliant charger. I am thinking of just wiring up my Optimate but the handbook contains dire warnings about the risks of charging the battery direct.

Is this just BMW being over-conservative? The consensus on previous posts were that they are but have any those of you have wired up an Optimate suffered any dire consequences?

Can't afford to blow the electrics after just one week"

Ian

 

[Wapping]

I have an HP2Sport and a 1200GSA.

No problem with either bike on an Optimate 24/7/365.

Use with confidence.

 

[Istanbulian]

I'll be out there shortly to fit the Optimate connector then. The fancy BMW charger can stay connected to the K1200S.

Many thanks

 

[medders]

You need a BMW auxillary socket adaptor. it croc clips on the batt and has an optimate connector on, it works a treat paid £4.99 on flea bay for mine genuine BMW part. Here's the link :-http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130373952826#ht_500wt_1182

 

[Bryn]

On the same subject I thought I'd read that you can charge a 12** gs using the aux socket .... plugging the optimate into the socket....

I know the socket switches off after a few mins... does this stop the charging or does the system allow the charger to do its stuff?

Reason I ask is I'd got the last one connected straight to the battery with no problems, but now got a proper BMW plug on the cable

 

[Wapping]

You need a BMW auxillary socket adaptor. it croc clips on the batt and has an optimate connector on, it works a treat paid £4.99 on flea bay for mine genuine BMW part. Here's the link :-http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130373952826#ht_500wt_1182

Why do you need one of those?

The Optimate comes with its own flying lead and/or you can use the croc clips lead supplied in the box with the Optimate, surely?

 

[Wapping]

On the same subject I thought I'd read that you can charge a 12** gs using the aux socket .... plugging the optimate into the socket....

I know the socket switches off after a few mins... does this stop the charging or does the system allow the charger to do its stuff?

Reason I ask is I'd got the last one connected straight to the battery with no problems, but now got a proper BMW plug on the cable

1200GS's shut down their peripherals, rendering an Optimate via the aux socket useless...... or at least they used to, for sure.

Maybe the new range doesn't or there has been a software update to cancel the shutdown?

Try plugging it in and see what happens. It won't break.

 

[Bryn]

1200GS's shut down their peripherals, rendering an Optimate via the aux socket useless...... or at least they used to, for sure.

Maybe the new range doesn't or there has been a software update to cancel the shutdown?

Try plugging it in and see what happens. It won't break.

I tried and it does seem to be shutting down... so now gone back to the old trusty 'straight to battery' charging lead Re-read the manual and it does seem to give the impression it would stay on while the battery is charging....

 

[AndyT]

I'm sure the fancy all singing and dancing BMW charger stops the socket from shutting down so you can keep it on trickle charge. I used to have an optimate connector hard wired to the battery and left ot on trickle all the time without any issues.

AndyT

 

[Wapping]

I'm sure the fancy all singing and dancing BMW charger stops the socket from shutting down so you can keep it on trickle charge.

It does.

 

[Garry.W]

Bikes with CAN BUS technology come equipped with either an AGM or GEL battery, depending on the model, and to charge these through the accessory socket requires a special charger, like the BMW Maintenance Charger, and these come with specific instructions on how to use it.

You can charge the battery directly on the battery terminals if your charger is suitable for charging the AGM(glass matt) batteries but DO NOT try and charge the battery thought the charge point/aux socket unless you have a specific charger, it will blow the main computer on the bike - many $$$$.

If you have the right charger and you’re using a charge point/aux socket then:

1: Turn the ignition "ON".
2: Connect the battery charger to the ON BOARD SOCKET first, THEN connect the power plug to a 110 volt outlet.
3: NOW turn the ignition key "OFF".

A generation II Gel Battery Charger can be used direct to battery with alligator clips but the battery should be REMOVED OR DISCONNECTED from the bike.

BMW recommends that if the bike will be sitting for more than a week, it should be charged weekly. If a battery fails due to improper maintenance or if any damage is incurred on a CAN Bus equipped bike due to the wrong charger, these items are not covered under BMW Warranty.

 

[jbw]

Or buy a CTEK charger which comes with a set of terminals with the connector on one end,you can the connect the charger without touching the battery once you have hardwired the lead

I use the same system on both bikes without any issues