Optimate

[Aggy]

Ayup folks,

Not long until I get my GS (6 days 1 hour and 51 minutes not that i'm counting ). So, I've been trawling through the site trying to gleen as much info as possible. Which has given me absolutely loads of answers, ideas, hints and tips
Along with the fear that my shiney new bike is going to break down every trip with a blown fuel pump controller, once a year i'm going to need a new bevel box, my discs are going to warp and the comforting knowledge that its all backed by a company that won't do a thing about it

But anyway, to my questions. Which I am sure have been asked before so I apologise in advance.

1 What is the best way to connect an optimate charger to the bike? On previous bikes I have simply connected it straight across the battery but with CANBUS? Oooh thats a whole new region for me

2 If I remove the battery, for what ever reason, will it have any adverse affects (apart from stopping the pretty lights not working on the dash board). On my Triumph it causes the engine management light to come on

3 The accessory socket does it have to be the BMW style or can it be changed to the standard car style?

4 I've read a few posts about the battery on the 12 being a bit weak, is this true?


I am damn sure, as with any new owner, I am going to have a squillion questions when I get the bike (6 days 1 hour 47 minutes ) so please bear with me.

Many thanks guys, love the site

Andy

 

[andy14049]

Hi Andy, I Use an optimate on my 1200GSA and it's wired directly to the battery in the normal way, this is the 3rd GS i've done this to and never had any problems with a battery. I even use the optimate charging socket to power up items I do not want to use through the bikes canbus system as the optimate socket has it's own built in fuse.

Not all GS's come with problems so just enjoy!

Regards Andy

Ayup folks,

Not long until I get my GS (6 days 1 hour and 51 minutes not that i'm counting ). So, I've been trawling through the site trying to gleen as much info as possible. Which has given me absolutely loads of answers, ideas, hints and tips
Along with the fear that my shiney new bike is going to break down every trip with a blown fuel pump controller, once a year i'm going to need a new bevel box, my discs are going to warp and the comforting knowledge that its all backed by a company that won't do a thing about it

But anyway, to my questions. Which I am sure have been asked before so I apologise in advance.

1 What is the best way to connect an optimate charger to the bike? On previous bikes I have simply connected it straight across the battery but with CANBUS? Oooh thats a whole new region for me

2 If I remove the battery, for what ever reason, will it have any adverse affects (apart from stopping the pretty lights not working on the dash board). On my Triumph it causes the engine management light to come on

3 The accessory socket does it have to be the BMW style or can it be changed to the standard car style?

4 I've read a few posts about the battery on the 12 being a bit weak, is this true?


I am damn sure, as with any new owner, I am going to have a squillion questions when I get the bike (6 days 1 hour 47 minutes ) so please bear with me.

Many thanks guys, love the site

Andy

 

[Deleted account LB]

I used a BMW charger which plugs staight into the aux socket but to be honest it was a bit of a faff (turn ignition on, plug in charger, plug into wall, ignition off, check 10 minutes later to make sure its working) I then installed an autocom powered neg off the aux socket for switchable power and the charger threw up an error. This can be got round by putting an on/off switch on the autocom but I felt this seemed a bit more hassle so flogged the BMW charger and reverted back to Optimate, attached to battery and hey presto does its job.

 

[patboy]

I use an optimate and just take off the seat and clip the leads on the battery and switch on. Works just fine.

 

[Les Wassall]

Straight to the battery and use the lead provided with the optimate, just leave it connected to the bike, pop the rubber cap over the end when not in use,

 

[purds]

I use an optimate and just take off the seat and clip the leads on the battery and switch on. Works just fine.

Wot patboy said except if you wire the flylead to the battery you can bring the connector out under the seat and then you dont even have the faff of taking the seat off.

 

[Davel]

If you're buying your bike new, then ask the dealer to connect the lead which goes from the battery to some point on the bike.

You can simply connect up your optimate whenever you wish.

To be honest, there's hardly any drain on the battery when parked up, unless it's alarmed and you probably won't use it as often as some bikes.

Oh and Hi!

 

[(RIP) Nakambale]

Straight to the battery and use the lead provided with the optimate, just leave it connected to the bike, pop the rubber cap over the end when not in use,

+1 All you then have to worry about is which side do you want it to come out, left or right

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Hi.
And welcome to the world of overpriced, completely unreliable, non Jap, strange indicator buttoned bikes.... Apparently the 1150s are reliable, but by feck are they ugly

I connect my Optimate straight to the battery. No probs so far. If you disconnect the battery, you have to reset the throttle position sensors (i think that's what you have to reset) but it's all in the manual.


And so far, over 2000 miles in 2 months with no problems.
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Apart from dropping it when I realised it was too wide to get through the pedestrian exit at my local Morrisons My ZZR and KTM both fitted.
Engine bars can be straightened with a crow bar.
A black visor covers up an embarrassed face.

 

[Aggy]

Nice one thanks guys. Optimate ready to go on!

 

[Voyager61]

Optimate I to Optimate II/III/IV weatherproof connector

Which Optimate do you have? If, like me, you have an old but perfectly servicable Optimate and want to connect to the newer on-battery leads with the weatherproof cover, here's how to do it.

Change the output plug (the one on the Optimate leads) to one of these:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=11474

 

[Aggy]

Which Optimate do you have? If, like me, you have an old but perfectly servicable Optimate and want to connect to the newer on-battery leads with the weatherproof cover, here's how to do it.

Change the output plug (the one on the Optimate leads) to one of these:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=11474

***Looks around for your crystal ball***

I had just got my old Opti infront of me and was looking at the connectors thinking that they are getting a bit tired and corroded and was wondering what I could swap them for. I had a look at the maplins link and I think thats the way to go - I presume by looking at them they are universal and just getting two of the same plug will suffice?



Now then...... back to that crystal ball...........just give me 6 numbers between 1 and 49 and I'll be a happy bunny.

 

[Voyager61]

Hi Andy

The link is for the plug you'll need for the leads that are attached to the Optimate I ... I bought the weatherproof cover (four quid I think):

http://www.accumate.co.uk/it020006.htm

which is for the newer Optmates ... so I only had to buy the plug thingy shown on the Maplin web page the link goes to.

Then you can just leave the leads on the battery and cable tie the weatherproof cover to the frame under the seat, say. Then you never have to lift the seat to attach the Optimate

 

[(RIP) Miff]

4 8 43 19 12 23

There ya go.

If you win, I want a commision.

 

[Slowdown]

FWFW, I've had the battery off an '07 GS loads of times and I've never had to reset the throttle position sensors.

YMMV

 

[dave hendy]

Straight to the battery and use the lead provided with the optimate, just leave it connected to the bike, pop the rubber cap over the end when not in use,

Me 2 this has worked for me since 2005 Enjoy your new bike they don't always go wrong and they are graet on what they do.

 

[Kaybe]

My optimate is straight to the battery, no prob to date.

 

[patboy]

I hate to tell you this, but I have used the lead direct to my old bike which used to hang down near the fairing and it got corroded. I even got the waterproof lead and some how it got water inside. So much for being waterproof! Now you know why I can't be asked and connect straight to the battery with croc clips. Taking the seat on and off is a doddle, and I've had plenty of practice.

 

[AndyW]

Just to add to the info here, email response to an enquiry from me a while back from Accumate:

Now to answer your questions.

• The OptiMate is compatible with all type of lead acid starter battery. Please note that the ETX batteries are an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and not a gel electrolyte. these are the most common type of powersport batteries available and partly the reason why the OptiMate was developed. There has never been a reported incident of an OptiMate causing a battery defect and with over 1'000'000 have been produced.
  
• If you charger is showing test results (Green Good or Red Suspect) then the charger will be functioning correctly. So there should be no need to replace it.
  
• There have been quite a few changes over the years (even within the OptiMate III's lifetime), most of which are very minor improvements and the only significant changes with the introduction of the IIISP are; Increased ingress protection to IP42 making the charger Splash Proof, the end if the recharge stages are indicated by the charge LED flashing and charge current is now reduced at high ambient temperatures.

Another user here of the Waterproof lead attached direct to the battery and tucked under the edge of the riders seat for easy access:
http://www.accumate.co.uk/it020006.htm

 

[Beemerman59]

I fitted an accessory socket direct to the battery with an inline fuse next to the oem one so I could connect accessories to the bike with the engine off i.e compressors, camping lights, mobile phones etc, and I plug the Optimate in via this. Works a treat. I used to use the supplied flylead but ended up getting bad connections and corroded pins so switched to the socket.