Optimate battery charger for F800GS (canbus) Advice needed please

[DeanoBeano]

I've just purchased a used F800GS 2015 which I collect in 2 weeks. IN the past I've always used an optimate charger to charge the battery on my bikes. All I've done is add the accessory lead to the battery and plug it in when I get home. Simple.

Now on the BMW it has a din socket whereby you can plug an Optimate accessory into this and charge the bike that way. I know that do this you need a special Optimate charger suitable for the Canbus system.

However, if like I have in the past, I wanted to just place an optimate accessory lead direct to the battery could I charge the battery this way using my original charger?

I'm only asking as I done't want to waste money on an accessory that I don't really need. Any advice appreciated.

 

[steve hughes]

Ive done both on my F650 twin. Firstly I bought a canbus BMW charger off here . It was £50 . They come with the din plug that fits in the accessory socket by the ignition key. Bit of a faff as the canbus turns this socket off after 15 mins so procedure is .
Ignition
On
Plug in charger
Turn charger on
Turn ignition of, Canbus charger will then send a signal to hold the socket on.

Used this for two years , sold it back on her for £50 then went the optimate hard wired to the battery route.
Why... I have three bikes that need charging including a 6 v classic so the Accumate route suited me.


Big if though, be careful when adding terminals to the battery. If the current is lost the service indicator light will come on and stay on until it gets reset by BMW or someone with a GS911 thingy.

Steve

 

[DeanoBeano]

Thanks I'll bear that in mind

 

[AberdeenAngus]

... be careful when adding terminals to the battery. If the current is lost the service indicator light will come on and stay on until it gets reset by BMW or someone with a GS911 thingy.

That is a really crap design.....the guy who programmed the control unit wants shooting for that.

 

[kyojitsu]

I have an Optimate 4 which has two modes, one for CANBUS another for regular connection. It's easy to swap modes - switch off, connect leads together using the crocodile clips, lights flash and then it's in CANBUS mode. Connect via the socket on top of the bike. So much easier than messing about with charging tails. Only thing is you need a DIN adapted to connect.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[SuperTed]

Hi Deano,
I have had an Optimate lead on my '08 800GS almost from day one and have never had a problem with it.
Spending money on the canbus version wont work for us as it wont fit to my wife's Honda.
So don't worry about it, just do what you have always done.
SuperTed

 

[steve hughes]

That is a really crap design.....the guy who programmed the control unit wants shooting for that.

I agree , thats why I need to find someone with a 911 to clear my service light!! Speaking from experience, stops another tosser falling foul of the ££££ bm charge to turn it off.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I agree , thats why I need to find someone with a 911 to clear my service light!! Speaking from experience, stops another tosser falling foul of the ££££ bm charge to turn it off.

Unfortunately, to reset a service light you have to register the bike with the 911 and this uses up one of the ten available slots (doesn't apply to the professional 911).

I would write a snotogram to BMW and require them to instruct your local dealer to reset the service light for free in perpetuity.
Its faulty programming and the least BMW could do is this.

 

[thomo57]

Unfortunately, to reset a service light you have to register the bike with the 911 and this uses up one of the ten available slots (doesn't apply to the professional 911).

I would write a snotogram to BMW and require them to instruct your local dealer to reset the service light for free in perpetuity.
Its faulty programming and the least BMW could do is this.

It's not faulty programming, it was done intentionally, to benefit the dealers ££££

 

[frenchy3]

Can you just remove the top panel and attach an optimate/oxford oximiser type intelligent charger using crocodile clips directly to the battery terminals as per a normal system or would this damage anything please ?

 

[ianf]

Of course, but follow the instructions about removing it if trying to use the desulphate part of the non-can bus program. The voltage can go quite high and you shouldn't put that across the bike electronics.

 

[frenchy3]

Thank you,i have only owned bikes with simple electrics and carbs before

Of course, but follow the instructions about removing it if trying to use the desulphate part of the non-can bus program. The voltage can go quite high and you shouldn't put that across the bike electronics.