Dakar Winter starting/battery charging

[joe_fitzpatrick]

As Winter is coming....

Last January I discovered (the hard way) that to start my Dakar on really cold mornings the best routine seemed to be:
Thumb the starter to turn engine over about twice.
Wheel the bike out of the drive
Thumb the starter and the bike starts quite easily.

On two occasions I managed to run the battery flat. Gettting the battery out to charge it is a real pain (removing what seems like 16 hex key screws in the dark).

Is there an easier way to get at the battery to charge it?

Joe

 

[Trevor George]

To get at the battery you only need to undo the six bolts holding the centre panel. There is sufficient flexibility in the plastic side panels to simply spring the tabs out of the centre panel, with a gentle bit of wiggling. You don't even need to take off the oil-tank cap.

Reverse assembly is similar, just flexing the side panels a little to get the tabs into the slots. It's a very quick job to carry out especially if you have a screwdriver with a selection of 'torx' bits rather than the "L" shaped tool in the tool-roll.

An even simpler option is to permanently connect a car cigarette lighter socket (marine quality) directly to the battery with an inline fuse, then feed in your charger feed via that.

Cheers ..... Trevor, Bristol, UK.
F650 dedicated website for UK & Ireland owners

 

[LivNorway]

Hi Joe!

Get a power socket!
That's how I charge my battery!

And if it's cold; buy electric clothes from Gerbing!

That way you and the bike feel fine in the winter!

Liv.

 

[brassmonkey001]

I bought an Optimate and it comes with a lead which you can fix to your battery and just plug the charger lead into the other end.

 

[Banger]

No the problem , i cant get any electricity in the garage (long story) so last year i took the battary out for January and charged it in the house.
When i fitted it back the Alarm (datatool 3) just screwed up all the time going of when it shouldn't drove me mad!
Guy at Datatool said use a trickle charger, well i have a optimate but i cant connect it up in the Garage.
Anyone got any ideas how or what i can use for electricity in the garage, this would save alot of hassle!

 

[Spout]

Any suitably close street lights nearby?

Charger would automatically switch off in the mornings

 

[Banger]

Any suitably close street lights nearby?

Charger would automatically switch off in the mornings