New Optimate 4 "CAN-bus Compatible" Doesn't Work

Ultrablast

Ultrablast

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Hi. I have the brand new Optimiser 4 Gold, which the manufacturers (and Nippy Normans) claim will work via the accessory socket of my GS 1200. It doesn't.

It claims that it can overcome the previous problems of the accessory socket being shut down by the CAN-bus system - (the less that 200 ma problem as described in numerous posts.) It claims to be able to keep the socket open after the bike has powered it off. It still doesn't work.

I've read all the posts and tried all the sequences. It still doesn't work.

The damn thing doesn't even come with crocodile clips - only the accessory socket plug - so I can't even connect it directly to the battery.

Am I missing something or am I just stuffed?

Stu
 
Well the nippy site pic shows the dual program one. Is yours still in normal mode?

Plug it in an tell us what lights flash.

In can bus mode the bottom two flash every second or so.

If this isn't happening, short the BMW plug and put the mains on, until the bottom two LEDs start to flash then turn the mains off. It'll store this, then you can put the bike on it.

Edit, just saw your post on the other thread, is your bike very early can-bus, like 2004/5 and never been near a dealer for ages? Didn't they add this ability after bm released their charger?
 
ianf said:
Well the nippy site pic shows the dual program one. Is yours still in normal mode?

Plug it in an tell us what lights flash.

In can bus mode the bottom two flash every second or so.

If this isn't happening, short the BMW plug and put the mains on, until the bottom two LEDs start to flash then turn the mains off. It'll store this, then you can put the bike on it.

Edit, just saw your post on the other thread, is your bike very early can-bus, like 2004/5 and never been near a dealer for ages? Didn't they add this ability after bm released their charger?
Click to expand...

Hi,

The mode might well be the problem, although it says in the instructions that it is set to CAN-bus mode by default. I'll try to change modes tomorrow and see what happens. At the moment, when I plug it into the mains and not into the bike, no lights flash.

Mine's and 08 and was dealer-serviced this year.

Stu
 
Last edited:
I've had the same problem with one I got from Nippy Normans last week, rang him up to ask whether there should be some croc clips in the box to change mode as per instruction book and he said no, it is already set up.

Doesnt work, only the green "power on" light stays on.

Luckily, the previous owner had left the Optimate tails on direct to the battery, tried this tonight and all seems to be working OK now by this connection method.

I'd done all the correct sequence bit as well, but no worky through the auxilliary socket, might give Nippy a call next week, see what he suggests.
Mines an 07 GSA

Geoff
 
i dont suppose you have taken a power feed for something else off the back of the aux socket have you?
 
If it doesn't work just send it back and get an ordinary one.
 
I have the new optimate 4. Say's in instruction manual "supplied in normal mode. Did the short out and works fine. Mine came supplied with croc clips and plug. I also have my Autocom wired to aux socket.2011 GSA......F
 
Bet that's it, nippys one didn't get flipped in his shed before posting.

Still interested in the outcome.
 
It defo should come with crodile clips. The default will be Normal Mode so you need to change it to Can Bus Mode by connecting the croc clips together and....... .....follow the bloody instructions. it's quite clear. :blast
 
ianf said:
Well the nippy site pic shows the dual program one. Is yours still in normal mode?

Plug it in an tell us what lights flash.

In can bus mode the bottom two flash every second or so.

If this isn't happening, short the BMW plug and put the mains on, until the bottom two LEDs start to flash then turn the mains off. It'll store this, then you can put the bike on it.

Edit, just saw your post on the other thread, is your bike very early can-bus, like 2004/5 and never been near a dealer for ages? Didn't they add this ability after bm released their charger?
Click to expand...

OK. Changed the mode by shorting the plug per your suggestion and problem solved. When I plug it into the mains now, the 2 sets of LED's at the very bottom start to flash which, according to the instructions mean that it is now in CAN-bus mode. Plugged it into the accessory socket and it then did what it says on the tin - i.e. opened comms with the CAN-bus system, performed a test and then started charging.

I emailed NN at about the same time I did my original post and his response today was pretty much the same - change the mode.

Happy as an ungulate in excrement!
 
bmw convert said:
I've had the same problem with one I got from Nippy Normans last week, rang him up to ask whether there should be some croc clips in the box to change mode as per instruction book and he said no, it is already set up.

Doesnt work, only the green "power on" light stays on.

Luckily, the previous owner had left the Optimate tails on direct to the battery, tried this tonight and all seems to be working OK now by this connection method.

I'd done all the correct sequence bit as well, but no worky through the auxilliary socket, might give Nippy a call next week, see what he suggests.
Mines an 07 GSA

Geoff
Click to expand...

Turns out although it is supposed to be preset to CAN-bus mode, mine wasn't. Once I changed mode, it worked perfectly.
 
Last edited:
Tinytim said:
It defo should come with crodile clips. The default will be Normal Mode so you need to change it to Can Bus Mode by connecting the croc clips together and....... .....follow the bloody instructions. it's quite clear. :blast
Click to expand...

In the case of the new CAN-bus models (and confirmed by Mr. Birtles), they don't come with croc clips. Safe to assume (I would have thought) that this meant CAN-bus mode would be the default. Incorrect assumption and in the absence of croc clips, shorting out the plug is the way to change mode.

As for the "bloody" instructions being clear...this thing's got more lights than a Christmas tree.
 
Moral of the story is dont buy from Nippy Normans. There seems to be lots of problems with NN recently.
 
fatgser said:
I would go along with that
the guy is a w:banana:bananaker

try motorworks they act like they want to keep their customers
Click to expand...

Not sure I agree with that. He sorted out a problem with a tank bag in double quick time for me.

And I've always found that if I make reasonable requests, rather than demands, he is accomodating.

On the other hand, it tooke me a long time to discover that there is no fundamental difference betweeen the two Optimate chargers that he sells. FWIW, mine was set up as a CAN-Bus model 'out of the box' and does have a set of croc leads.

Motorworks are also excellent.

Richard
 
RSavage said:
Not sure I agree with that. He sorted out a problem with a tank bag in double quick time for me.

And I've always found that if I make reasonable requests, rather than demands, he is accomodating.

On the other hand, it tooke me a long time to discover that there is no fundamental difference betweeen the two Optimate chargers that he sells. FWIW, mine was set up as a CAN-Bus model 'out of the box' and does have a set of croc leads.

Motorworks are also excellent.

Richard
Click to expand...

Meanwhile, when i had a problem with a product he supplied incorectly he could not even be bothered to reply to my E-Mail.
 
NN problems

It's good to know your consumers rights ,and if all else fails pay the man a visit and stop waisting your own time and frustration on phone calls and pointless worthless emails ,its always best to if possible to talk to a face and not a voice I find :thumb
 
stever1 said:
Meanwhile, when i had a problem with a product he supplied incorectly he could not even be bothered to reply to my E-Mail.
Click to expand...

Blimey!

It would be good if he was consistent - bad or good wouldn't matter, at least you would know where you stood.

What a pain. Was it sorted in the end?

R
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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