How do you use an Optimate111 on an R1200GS

[fimlimbimjim]

Hi All,
The CAN bus controller seems to turn off the auxilliary socket about 15minutes after you turn off the ignition stopping the charger.

So how do you use an Optimate111 (I inherited one with no instructions).
with an R1200GS ?

any suggestions welcome.

regards
Jim

 

[streaky]

you cant charge the 1200 through aux,socket.You should have a plug with your optimate that connects straight to the battery,It has positive and negitive to battery and a plastic terminal block covered with rubber boot ,this plug feeds under seat and just cable tie it to frame,Hope this helps.

 

[Dinger]

If you didn't get the lead with the optimate I believe you can buy them separately.

 

[Abi]

I'm a bit confused! Doesn’t it say in the manual "to charge the battery on the bike, you have to turn the ignition on, connect the charger to the accessory socket so the bike computer sees the charger, then turn the ignition off" or is this for only BMW chargers?

It does explain why the charge light of the charger goes off after about 15 minutes in fact.........

 

[cdw]

Optimate & 1200GS

Dead easy, take the seat off and connect the crocodile clips supplied with the Optimate to the battery.

No need to disconnect the wiring from the battery. Mine is fully charged after 12-18 hours.

Regards

Chris

 

[swebb]

Optimate 3 - WOW

I've just bought my optimate 3 and i'm absolutely knocked out.. it's an awesome bit of kit!!

I fitted the permanent harness to the battery, leaving the little plastic connector under the seat (i've tucked in with the tool roll, secured by the elastic strap) and when i finish my journey, seat off, plug straight in and i'm done!!

My bike does not have the alarm or any accessories that should drain power whilst the bike is OFF... so i was amazed to find that when i plugged the optimate in for the first time, it took about 12 hours to get back to a fully charged state!!!

Now with the optimate, it lives at a permanently charged state... i'm in awe of this simple and straight forward product!!!

If you don't have one... GET ONE!!!

-it's ok, my hard-on is subsiding now

 

[GSmonkey]

I've just bought my optimate 3 and i'm absolutely knocked out.. it's an awesome bit of kit!!

I fitted the permanent harness to the battery, leaving the little plastic connector under the seat (i've tucked in with the tool roll, secured by the elastic strap) and when i finish my journey, seat off, plug straight in and i'm done!!

My bike does not have the alarm or any accessories that should drain power whilst the bike is OFF... so i was amazed to find that when i plugged the optimate in for the first time, it took about 12 hours to get back to a fully charged state!!!

Now with the optimate, it lives at a permanently charged state... i'm in awe of this simple and straight forward product!!!

If you don't have one... GET ONE!!!

-it's ok, my hard-on is subsiding now

Here ends a presentation from the Optimate Marketing Board

 

[alecmuffett]

Now with the optimate, it lives at a permanently charged state... i'm in awe of this simple and straight forward product!!!

If you don't have one... GET ONE!!!

-it's ok, my hard-on is subsiding now

Pardon my spreading fear and despondency, but wasn't there an extensive discussion a while ago on this forum, which concluded that (according to BMW) Optimates would confuse/break the computer systems, and therefore to use one you should unwire the battery first?

(nb: I have two Optimate3s and use them in much this manner)

 

[Pukmeister]

Alec, both myself and the previous owner have used an Optimate on my GS1200, with the small 'Rats Tail' connector hanging out under the seat which is hard wired onto the battery terminals. In 20k so far, no problems with ECU/CANBUS glitches etc (tempting fate aren't I?) so I guess that argument about Optimates and the bikes computers is bogus (unless someone else knows better).

BTW I always ensure the bikes ignition circuit is off and keys removed before connecting/disconnecting the optimate to prevent any possible voltage spike from causing damage. Probably unnecessary but a sensible precaution.

 

[GSmonkey]

I've been using the hardwired Optimate for over a year on the 12GS with no ill effects as well.

The story goes that if Optimate goes into de-sulphate mode, it will raise the voltage to 18V or thereabouts, which is enough to fry the canbus/ECU. A sulphated battery is detected by high internal resistance i.e. low current draw at the nominal 14.4V charge voltage. However, the optimate people say that this is impossible when the battery is connected to the bike as there is enough inherent current leak/draw on the bike to make the optimate think that even a sulphated battery is OK. So the theory goes you're ok.

I consider that if the battery is OK at the point you connect your optimate (i.e. to maintain charge whilst idle), it will obviously not go into desulphate mode hence you are ok.

If however the battery is dead, it may be a sensible precaution to disconnect the battery first. Personally I think this is a good idea anyhow.

 

[fimlimbimjim]

thanks for the replies

Thanks for the interest I have just taken the battery back to my local dealer in Plymouth who has tested it and replaced it for me.

They were very helpful.

I have now found the accumate site and see the attachments wot I need

On another tack I have just bought an old K100RS for the winter it's great fun and cost me less than a set of luggage for the R1200GS.

 

[verstichel]

Pardon my spreading fear and despondency, but wasn't there an extensive discussion a while ago on this forum, which concluded that (according to BMW) Optimates would confuse/break the computer systems, and therefore to use one you should unwire the battery first?

(nb: I have two Optimate3s and use them in much this manner)

The Optimate 3 was recommended by the BMW dealer that I am dealing with (hence the dealer....). Note that one should not have the Optimate connected to the battery without having the Optimate connected to the main. Otherwise the battery will discharged into the Optimate. Other than that, a great tool.

 

[swebb]

Here ends a presentation from the Optimate Marketing Board

Having just re-read my post... mmm a bit suspect if i do say so myself... guess i'm just such an electrical theory numpty, that anything simple is good to me.

Apologies for my "marketing" extract.....

backs away humbled