Charging battery from aux power socket

[Flipper_Man]

I have a CEETEK MXS 5.0 battery charger (CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger with... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FC42HAA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) - its the same product that BMW sells as their Motorrad Battery Charger Plus (https://cotswoldbmwmotorradonline.co.uk/products/bmw-motorrad-battery-charger-plus-1).

The BMW version comes with a aux power socket adapter with further adapter to plug into cigar lighter socket in cars. So I sourced the adapter for my unit, thinking that it should charge my 1250GSA from the aux socket, nice and neat rather than crocodile clips to the battery terminals.

However, can’t get it to charge from the aux socket. It was suggested that it would if the ignition was switched on….but that’s not really the point if I want to charge the battery !

Anyone else had any luck charging from Aux socket ? Or Does the Aux socket only become live when ignition on - perhaps managed through canbus etc ?

 

[littleade]

I use a fused SAE lead, directly connected to my battery, however if yours is similar to my Optimate 4 from memory you have to connect the charger within a specified time of switching your ignition off for it to work?

HTH

 

[DJ123]

why not go down the route of a fly lead connected directly to the battery? Then you've no leads to faff around with - just connect it up and it's on charge.

 

[stever1]

IIRC you have to connect and switch the charger on before the electronics on the bike close down. Otherwise it won’t ‘open up’ the bikes ability to charge.

 

[Barnoe]

I use a fused SAE lead, directly connected to my battery, however if yours is similar to my Optimate 4 from memory you have to connect the charger within a specified time of switching your ignition off for it to work?

HTH

My optimate 4 can be connected any time?

@Flipper_Man
have you switched it to the canbus mode by shorting the clips as per the manual?

 

[Barnoe]

I wouldn’t try that if it’s not an Optimate 4.

Try what stever1 suggested.

A quick google search...

The CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger does not have a dedicated CANbus (or "bike") mode designed for charging through cigarette lighter sockets on CANbus-equipped motorcycles (like BMW, Triumph, or Ducati).

 

[Thejoybringer]

A quick google search...

The CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger does not have a dedicated CANbus (or "bike") mode designed for charging through cigarette lighter sockets on CANbus-equipped motorcycles (like BMW, Triumph, or Ducati).

Sorted

 

[wessie]

the standard CTEK MXS5 will not work via the accessory socket.

The devices like the BMW version than can turn on the accessory socket and negotiate the connection have additional circuitry and software.

 

[littleade]

A quick google search...

The CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger does not have a dedicated CANbus (or "bike") mode designed for charging through cigarette lighter sockets on CANbus-equipped motorcycles (like BMW, Triumph, or Ducati).

Needs something like this then, which is what I use.

Pardon our interruption...

To the OP

If you don't already know, behind the RH side panel you can see the battery and the negative terminal. To the right of that is a positive battery post that has a plastic protective cover you can use to save having to remove the battery, which makes things a lot easier. Not wishing to teach granny to suck eggs, but if you do decide to fit a lead, disconnect the negative battery lead 1st, connect the positive lead on the SAE lead next to the battery post and refit the plastic cover, then finally reconnect the negative battery terminal together with the SAE lead. This prevents you shorting the positive lead to earth while you're fitting the lead.

 

[Flipper_Man]

why not go down the route of a fly lead connected directly to the battery? Then you've no leads to faff around with - just connect it up and it's on charge.

I have that lead and will likely go down that route if can’t resolve cigar lighter method. I just (fooolishly) thought that if they sold the cigar lighter adapter (or aux power lead) then it would work - as they supply it with the BMW version.

I’ll check whether it takes a charge if I turn the ignition off and plug in within a minute or so - whilst circuit is still active - that makes a lot of sense to me…

 

[Burridge01]

why not go down the route of a fly lead connected directly to the battery? Then you've no leads to faff around with - just connect it up and it's on charge.

This.
Plus you can run a d3cent compressor from the lead(I have a din socket wired direct to battery for just this).

 

[richtel]

Pm sent

I have that lead and will likely go down that route if can’t resolve cigar lighter method. I just (fooolishly) thought that if they sold the cigar lighter adapter (or aux power lead) then it would work - as they supply it with the BMW version.

I’ll check whether it takes a charge if I turn the ignition off and plug in within a minute or so - whilst circuit is still active - that makes a lot of sense to me…

Isn't the DIN socket up by the bars a CANbus controlled socket, but the one put down by the battery on newer bikes is direct to the battery? That might be why BMW's CTEK charger would work for those bikes, but wouldn't work on a CANbus socket.

BTW, the BMW charger quoted isn't the same as a MXS5- the selection menu is different- an MXS5 isn't suitable for lithium.

 

[Flipper_Man]

Isn't the DIN socket up by the bars a CANbus controlled socket, but the one put down by the battery on newer bikes is direct to the battery? That might be why BMW's CTEK charger would work for those bikes, but wouldn't work on a CANbus socket.

BTW, the BMW charger quoted isn't the same as a MXS5- the selection menu is different- an MXS5 isn't suitable for lithium.

That's a bloody good point tbh.....and it's reminded me I have a third party socket on the opposite side to the factory fitted one - doh !
Answer from CTEK support:

The BMW chargers are manufactured by CTEK, but they are owned by BMW, and for that reason, I do not have any technical specification at hand to check this.
As the charge starts up as normal, but then interrupts after a while, I would say that the charger looses the connection to the battery and stop charging for this reason.

This can happen if the BMW motorcycle is equipped with CAN Bus, this will make the output close down after some few minutes, and the charger cannot communicate with CAN Bus, and turns off. If you uses the CONNECT EYELET, and connect directly to the battery, you can still use your MXS 5.0

I'm feeling suitably stupid for forgetting the additional, third-party connected direct to battery, socket....

 

[richtel]

Yes, I use one of Ctek’s indicator connectors direct to the battery (AGM) and positive post on my early 1250GS and connect an MXS5 on ‘bike’ setting. No issues.