Canbus freaks me out !!!!

[tweedy453]

hi folks just looking for a bit of reassurance really re trickle chargers for my 2011GSA

I already have a Accumen Platinum charger I used on my old 1150 GSA most of my searches re this subject relate to optima the battery chargers BUT I am a safe to say that they are both basically the same and that if I connect my leads directly to the battery terminals I will be ok and not fry the can bus electrics !!! this way it's just a quick plug in each time I get back home to keep the battery topped up

All the best Jon

 

[Smug]

If you have a good battery you shouldn't have to put it on the charger after every ride. I leave my bike for a few months sometimes and it still starts.

Shouldn't be a problem if you connect direct to the battery rather that through the auxiliary socket.

 

[Beemerman59]

hi folks just looking for a bit of reassurance really re trickle chargers for my 2011GSA

I already have a Accumen Platinum charger I used on my old 1150 GSA most of my searches re this subject relate to optima the battery chargers BUT I am a safe to say that they are both basically the same and that if I connect my leads directly to the battery terminals I will be ok and not fry the can bus electrics !!! this way it's just a quick plug in each time I get back home to keep the battery topped up

All the best Jon

Yes, if you connect the chargers pigtail direct to the battery you'll be fine. I went a step further as I wanted to add a few farkles and keep it off the canbus so fitted a 6 switched/2 unswitched fuse box direct to the battery and have accessory socket, satnav, extra lights etc running off that. Once done it makes everything so much easier and it lives where the toolkit went.

 

[Mr K]

hi folks just looking for a bit of reassurance really re trickle chargers for my 2011GSA

I already have a Accumen Platinum charger I used on my old 1150 GSA most of my searches re this subject relate to optima the battery chargers BUT I am a safe to say that they are both basically the same and that if I connect my leads directly to the battery terminals I will be ok and not fry the can bus electrics !!! this way it's just a quick plug in each time I get back home to keep the battery topped up

All the best Jon

It'll be fine: Been doing this for over 10 years on my 2004 R1200GS and only recently changed the battery as a precaution.

 

[tweedy453]

If you have a good battery you shouldn't have to put it on the charger after every ride. I leave my bike for a few months sometimes and it still starts.

Shouldn't be a problem if you connect direct to the battery rather that through the auxiliary socket.

Cheers Smug I had thought about getting a new battery but was thinking cash a bit tight at the moment and the cold weather recently won't help but also another pointer to a battery on its way out ?

 

[tweedy453]

Yes, if you connect the chargers pigtail direct to the battery you'll be fine. I went a step further as I wanted to add a few farkles and keep it off the canbus so fitted a 6 switched/2 unswitched fuse box direct to the battery and have accessory socket, satnav, extra lights etc running off that. Once done it makes everything so much easier and it lives where the toolkit went.

Cheers beemerman I was hoping to to put a autocom system in the tool tray when funds allow sometime till then I can now safely trickle charge my steed !

 

[tweedy453]

It'll be fine: Been doing this for over 10 years on my 2004 R1200GS and only recently changed the battery as a precaution.

Cheers for the heads up Mr K was thinking I may need a new battery hopefully connected to my trickle charger I can last a few more years at least !

 

[manxgser]

Yes, if you connect the chargers pigtail direct to the battery you'll be fine. I went a step further as I wanted to add a few farkles and keep it off the canbus so fitted a 6 switched/2 unswitched fuse box direct to the battery and have accessory socket, satnav, extra lights etc running off that. Once done it makes everything so much easier and it lives where the toolkit went.

top info thanks for that

 

[patzx12]

the Canbus is a tough as old boots and nothing to worry about.
As stated I think there is an obsession with trickle charging.
Just park the bike and it will be fine.

 

[Bendy toy]

Lead acid batteries do self discharge and that builds up insoluble sulphate and eventually kills the battery. But if using an Optimate whenever the bike is parked made a big difference to battery life then we wouldn't have so many battery threads.
There are to my mind two options.
Buy a cheap n cheerful battery and replace every year or two.
Buy an LiFePo battery that won't sulphate ever The cost is the other end of the scale but not much more than an Odyssey with Optimate. Swap the battery to the next bike. It should last up to 10 years.

 

[TLSgazza]

Lead acid batteries do self discharge and that builds up insoluble sulphate and eventually kills the battery. But if using an Optimate whenever the bike is parked made a big difference to battery life then we wouldn't have so many battery threads.
There are to my mind two options.
Buy a cheap n cheerful battery and replace every year or two.
Buy an LiFePo battery that won't sulphate ever The cost is the other end of the scale but not much more than an Odyssey with Optimate. Swap the battery to the next bike. It should last up to 10 years.

My odyssey was on my 2006 adv when I bought it in 2008, never been trickle charged, left from the middle/end of October until March every year,
It has never failed to start the bike, it's at least 7 years old this year. Good battery!






I know it will decide to give up on me this year now..................

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

I use a Ctek charger and I've attached one of their connectors to my battery, it lives under the seat with the tool bag. I then just connect my Ctak when needed.

 

[Bendy toy]

My odyssey was on my 2006 adv when I bought it in 2008, never been trickle charged, left from the middle/end of October until March every year,
It has never failed to start the bike, it's at least 7 years old this year. Good battery!

I also have an Odyssey bought used 18 months ago so owes me very little.

The old battery seems to be slow starting but the Odyssey was just the same. It sat outside for a year though is now properly garaged. Its showing no signs of packing up any time soon.

But they are so heavy and so pricey I'd be seriously looking at adding more cash and going to a Ballistic battery. A lot smaller and lighter, high cranking amps, pretty much zero maintenance and can be put elsewhere on the bike.

 

[tweedy453]

the Canbus is a tough as old boots and nothing to worry about.
As stated I think there is an obsession with trickle charging.
Just park the bike and it will be fine.

 

[tweedy453]

Lead acid batteries do self discharge and that builds up insoluble sulphate and eventually kills the battery. But if using an Optimate whenever the bike is parked made a big difference to battery life then we wouldn't have so many battery threads.
There are to my mind two options.
Buy a cheap n cheerful battery and replace every year or two.
Buy an LiFePo battery that won't sulphate ever The cost is the other end of the scale but not much more than an Odyssey with Optimate. Swap the battery to the next bike. It should last up to 10 years.

What exactly is a LiFePo battery I think the one I have in at the mo is one of those glass mat jobbies ? I had an odyssey battery on my 1150 GSA

 

[tweedy453]

I use a Ctek charger and I've attached one of their connectors to my battery, it lives under the seat with the tool bag. I then just connect my Ctak when needed.

 

[tweedy453]

I also have an Odyssey bought used 18 months ago so owes me very little.

The old battery seems to be slow starting but the Odyssey was just the same. It sat outside for a year though is now properly garaged. Its showing no signs of packing up any time soon.

But they are so heavy and so pricey I'd be seriously looking at adding more cash and going to a Ballistic battery. A lot smaller and lighter, high cranking amps, pretty much zero maintenance and can be put elsewhere on the bike.

These ballistic battery's do you know how they much they cost and what type of battery they are I am a bit of a technophobe when it comes to this stuff ?

 

[Mr K]

I have a Motobatt in mine.
They're cheaper than the Odyessys and slightly smaller than the OE battery but come out top in tests for "cranking power" i.e starting from cold.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

These ballistic battery's do you know how they much they cost and what type of battery they are I am a bit of a technophobe when it comes to this stuff ?

They are an expensive solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Just checking on tinter web and you would be looking at around £150 for this battery. OK, they are small and light but if you worry about a couple of grammes on a GS you are either on the wrong bike or stop eating pies!!

You can buy 3 standard or Motobatt batteries for the same money and they offer enough power to start every GS eve built with no issues whatsoever. You or your bike is likely to have been put out to pasture before you get your money back.

I've had a Motobatt on my 2006 GSA for 4 years. My bike lives outside all year, sits in containers for up to 6 weeks at a time, has never been connected to an optimate and has NEVER failed to start when asked.

 

[tweedy453]

They are an expensive solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Just checking on tinter web and you would be looking at around £150 for this battery. OK, they are small and light but if you worry about a couple of grammes on a GS you are either on the wrong bike or stop eating pies!!

You can buy 3 standard or Motobatt batteries for the same money and they offer enough power to start every GS eve built with no issues whatsoever. You or your bike is likely to have been put out to pasture before you get your money back.

I've had a Motobatt on my 2006 GSA for 4 years. My bike lives outside all year, sits in containers for up to 6 weeks at a time, has never been connected to an optimate and has NEVER failed to start when asked.

Cheers for the info Sgt Bilco, the motobatt battery's certainly seems to have a good reputatation on the forum and at a competitive price, next payday might just have to try one out for myself as I think my current battery is on its way out!