Help: Optimate Battery Lead

[Capt Slackbladder]

Hi all - i have to fit my Optimate lead to my battery (2010 GSA). I have forgotten if I will reset anything important if I dsconnect the battery (ever so briefly) to connect the lead. I did this to my old 2006 GS but memory dims .. old age and all that.

Thanks again, Bob

 

[Rabbitson]

If you're careful isn't it possible to do it without actually disconnecting the battery?

On the earlier models it was just the clock, but not sure about the 2010 one

David

 

[Capt Slackbladder]

Just checked my optimate lead

Just checked and the battery will have to be disconnected because the lead connection is 'washer' shaped (in that the terminal connection will have to come off completely to allow the optimate ring to go over the battery terminal). Hope that makes sense if not I can always post a photo. If the lead had of been 'U" shaped then I could have fitted it without disconnecting the battery but unfortunately it is "O" shaped.

Anyone know if this will feck things up on a 10 GSA??

Thanks again

 

[Capt Slackbladder]

Can anyone confirm?

Just read the manual and its says (pg139) that if the battery is disconnected for a 'prolonged' period it will require a dealer to reset it.

I am therefore assuming that since all I want to do is remove each terminal for the briefest of nanoseconds that all should be well with the Slackbladder hog if I reattach my trusted Optimate lead?

Can anyone confirm or should I just risk a possible 'dealer' visit to reset the clock if I make a proverbials of it

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Well, we're all in deep dogshit if disconnecting the battery needs a dealers visit.

 

[Capt Slackbladder]

ill take that as a 'fill yer boots big boy'

Likewise, you'll have a horseshead in yer bed if yer wrong

Like I said the manual does warn against disconnecting for too long .. and I do recall a 'warning' post for a 10 GSA in here no too long ago

Quote .. Pg 139
If the battery was disconnected from the motorcycle for a prolonged period of time it will be necessary to enter the current date in the instrument panel, in order to ensure that the service-due indicator functions correctly. If you want to have the date set consult a specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer

 

[GSmonkey]

If thats the worst that can happen I'd go for it. Its not as though you're loosing the engine map or anything!!

You can set the date using that 911 gadget thingymabob if you need to.

 

[RobA]

Hello, If you are unsure, why not cut a bit out of the Optimate leade that's a circle, and make it into a "spade" and then just slacken the leads and slip it into place. I know it would be firmer left as a complete "washer" but if in doubt, make it into a spade.

 

[Balders1450]

I fitted an opt lead without disconnecting batt!

Use croc clips to keep batt in loop...simples

 

[John Armstrong]

Use croc clips to keep batt in loop...simples

I've used that trick before as well

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Never had a problem ,fitted an odysey to one ,and an optimate and everything was fine . You can also fit the lead in situ,get a grown up to press the battery lead onto the terminal while you slip the lead and retaining torx bolt back on

 

[Wberesford]

Hey Gang,

I have just seen this thread - would have been good before I took the plunge and ripped open my Optimate plug that got delivered today off of Evil Bay......

It is now fitted, along with my Autocom - got to say, I wasn't happy about cutting into wires on my less than 7 day old 2010 plate 1200ADV (anniversay model).....

However, I can confirm that all things are working as expected.

Hope this helps.

Bezman

 

[oldrascal]

Don't give it a second thought. As long as you don't leave the battery leads off for a prolonged period of time, nothing will happen. I've done it often on a 2008GSA using an Optimate4 and the Optimate dedicated plug terminal lead. Just take off the positive lead, slip the Optimate positive terminal fitting on the post and reconnect it and then do the same for the negative. A piece of cake mate...................nothing will be disturbed.

 

[Capt Slackbladder]

Deed now done .. and all is well ..

Just follow Oldrascal's and others advice and it's easy peasy - trick is to not leave it unconnected for a (owners manual quote) 'prolonged' period and the bikes ECU will remember all the stored data settings (date annual service due etc).

 

[veefour]

Seeing as you've done it this is a bit superfluous but when I picked up my new GS in May I asked a mechanic this. His answer was it'll be fine but he recommended doing the TPS reset afterwards for some reason

 

[Fanum]

Seeing as you've done it this is a bit superfluous but when I picked up my new GS in May I asked a mechanic this. His answer was it'll be fine but he recommended doing the TPS reset afterwards for some reason

Unnecessary.

After a few miles on the road, the motronics 'learns' the TPS settings anyway.


Even my prehistoric lebbenfiddy does that

 

[MarkShelley]

Assuming you have a 12v socket fitted to your bike (which I think all GS`s have don`t they?) why would you want to do this? Just get the Optimate attachment that allows it to be plugged into your 12v socket.

 

[JASONBC]

Just checked and the battery will have to be disconnected because the lead connection is 'washer' shaped (in that the terminal connection will have to come off completely to allow the optimate ring to go over the battery terminal). Hope that makes sense if not I can always post a photo. If the lead had of been 'U" shaped then I could have fitted it without disconnecting the battery but unfortunately it is "O" shaped.

Anyone know if this will feck things up on a 10 GSA??

Thanks again

cut a slot out of the washer to make it "U" shaped then slide it in the battery terminal, you won't have to disconnect the battery then

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Did mine last night took 5 minutes just pressed the battery wires onto the terminal while fitting the optimate lead no bother