R1200GS Charging problem

[Wapping]

I'm having the same problem. Tried the above and after a min. or so still getting the error light. This is the second charger I've had as AJs replaced the original yesterday. They tested it and thought it was O.K. Can't understand what I'm doing wrong!!

If the BMW dealer checked the charger, said it was OK and as this is yoiur second charger I would guess that:

The problem lies between the aux. socket and the battery or maybe the battery itself.

On the braoder topic of the attachment of a BMW charger to a 1200GS:

Just to make sure I wasn't losing my marbles and that all the switching on / off / key in ignition / plug in / switch off / pull key out / leave for less than 15 minutes rigamarole isn't necessary I did the following this morning:

Entered garage.

Bike sitting there for the past week, unused, on a BMW charger via the front aux. socket.

All leads, socket and plug in good condition.

Green light glowing.

Pulled the plug out of the socket.

Left for one hour.

Plugged the plug back in to the front aux. socket.

Red charge light came on. After about 15 seconds there was the usual 'click' as (I guess) a circuit opened.

The red charge light stayed on.

Decided to watch what happened next.

Over the course of the next five minutes there were various 'clicks' and the red charge light flicked on and off briefly. I guess that the charger is responding to 'information' about the battery's state?

After a while it settled down and the red light went off and the orange light came on. This suggests that the charger has worked out that the battery is near enough fully charged (not surprising).

Got bored watching something working properly. Went up to the loft to fetch my daugther's sleeping bag. Had a cup of tea.

Went back to garage and, wonder of wonders, the green light is glowing like a good 'un.

This would seem to dispel the myth of the 15 minute delay (at least as far as BMW's charger is concerned) and the apparent need to turn the ignition key somewhere in the process. I have scoured the handbook that came with the charger and can find no reference to either scenario.

Or maybe I am just lucky?

 

[Wapping]

If my #7 post was my "Which Charger?" post

Maybe there's something different with your Can-bus system software and it's not turning off the socket - hence you can charge it when you like.

No, it refered to your #7 above.

Both the aux. sockets on my bike turn off after about 15 seconds after killing the ignition. Just as BMW says they will. Vert dull, very reliable and rather German. Just like the charger.

Delighted to hear that tip (1) works for you too.

 

[marsellus wallace]

Hi all. I've got a problem with charging my GS using the special BMW supplied charger that supposedly creates a "spike" when switched on keeping the route to the battery open after the ignitions been switched off.

Whenever I plug my charger in, the power light comes on, followed by the charging light (red, amber or green), however when the bike circuits "power down" after 30 odd seconds, the charging light goes out and the red "error" light on the charger comes on. BMW have conmfirmed the charger is not faulty.

Bike's just had 3 days at my local BMW dealer where they put it through a series of tests, liaised with BMW directly and updated all the software etc. It was returned to me last night and they claimed that it was now sorted with the exception of my getting a brief headlight flash when I turn on the iginition when the batteries fully charged. They (and BMW) had no idea what the cause of the headlight flash was. Fine I thought. I can live with that.

Went for a 170 mile run today, got home, cleaned up the bike, plugged in the charger and hey presto!, back to square one - red error light on charger ....

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

I have exactly the same problem with my charger-charges ok for a minute or so until the bike powers down then the error light comes on.I switch the ignition on and off and eventually after a few attempts the charger works normally.

 

[Wapping]

I have exactly the same problem with my charger-charges ok for a minute or so until the bike powers down then the error light comes on.I switch the ignition on and off and eventually after a few attempts the charger works normally.

Try switching the charger off and on again at the mains.

Whilst I know that they are totally different chargers, this is something that is mentioned in the Optimate's instruction sheet. The mains power on and off 're-sets' the Optimate charger's 'smart' circuitry. At a guess, your turning the ignition on and off (or off and on) is having the same effect and 're-setting' the BMW charger's circuitry.

Maybe the flicking off at the mains will do the trick with your BMW one? It may help melegsareboney and the others too

 

[Brian ROSEN]

What a lot of fuss!

For almost the first time we have a bike where it is VERY SIPMLE to simply remove the seat, clip on the crocodile clips of your Optimate or whatever
& that's it! What could be simpler - & it doesn't have to be done very often.

 

[Wapping]

For almost the first time we have a bike where it is VERY SIPMLE to simply remove the seat, clip on the crocodile clips of your Optimate or whatever
& that's it! What could be simpler - & it doesn't have to be done very often.

Or attach the Optimate flying lead to make it even easier. The Optimate is probably the overall cheapest and easiest answer if anyone wants keep the battery trickle cahrged. If nothing else it will save some buyers the expense and worry of BMW's charger.

 

[Malcvtr]

No, it refered to your #7 above.

If you read post #7, it says (as I quoted) that they sell "the same" charger as the BMW one, not "similar to NN's" as you thought. So, you can be wrong just like the rest of us.

However, I bow to your obviously superior knowledge but I didn't think my original post to try to help a lister in trouble deserved to be dismissed as "Twaddle" by you.

It's useful to learn that, according to you, "Cestria" is wrong about the manual, "gfspencer" is wrong re. the process, "Thunder" is wrong about there being no diff between NN's charger and the BMW one and, therefore, Nippy Norman's is wrong re. the 15 minute "myth".

In the face of such expertise, I surrender.

 

[Wapping]

If you read post #7, it says (as I quoted) that they sell "the same" charger as the BMW one, not "similar to NN's" as you thought. So, you can be wrong just like the rest of us.

However, I bow to your obviously superior knowledge but I didn't think my original post to try to help a lister in trouble deserved to be dismissed as "Twaddle" by you.

It's useful to learn that, according to you, "Cestria" is wrong about the manual, "gfspencer" is wrong re. the process, "Thunder" is wrong about there being no diff between NN's charger and the BMW one and, therefore, Nippy Norman's is wrong re. the 15 minute "myth".

In the face of such expertise, I surrender.

I admitted that I misread #7

I am happy to copy the BMW charger manual if it helps anyone and post it up here.

I have suggested a reason why the switching on and off of the ignition key may 're-set' the charger.

I have not voiced an opinion why someone's lights may now flick on.

I haven't commented on Thunder's opinion on NN's product, other than to say that they do look similar. I guess it's unreliable to go on looks, after all the various Optimates over the years look similar but the gubbins inside differ. I have three Optimates running in my garage, all of various vintages, each one an apprent improvement on the earlier version, but outwardly similar. I guess NN can tell you if they are identical. Like you, I do not own a NN charger and nor does the bloke who posted the problem. It was you that made the apparent link between BMW's and NN's device, no one else. Quite possibly NN's does need to be plugged in and running within 15 minutes. BMW's own doesn't (or at least mine doesn't).

What is more interesting is that some others do seem to have a problem of some sorts with BMW's charger. I guess it's similar to those that have a problem with gear change indicators (whilst others do not) or side stands (and others do not) or indeed a raft of topics.

TIP ONE: Get an Optimate.

 

[Cestria]

FWIW, I think the 15 minute buisness is valid for this reason - the BMW charger will only work correctly if it can establish a permanent connection to the battery via the accesory socket. To do this it must stop the socket 'switching itself off' after the 15 minute delay after switching off the ignition . I belive the charger is a quite sophisticated piece of kit and can 'talk' to and control the relavent bits of the can bus to do this, but it can only do this if the can is live when the charger is plugged in - hence the advice in the (bike) manual (page 151 by the way ) to switch on the ignition, plug in the charger, and then switch off the ignition - just in case the can has switched itself off after the predetermined delay. I believe the control is two way - plugging the charger into the accesory socket also prevents the charger going into desulphating mode - the BMW charger can also be connected directly to the battery using croc clips or whatever, but its recommended (by BMW, p151 again) that the battery is disconnected from the bike if you do this as higher voltages than are supposedly good for can bus electrics can be generated if the charger goes into what is termed desulphating mode.
Optimates and the like also have a desulphating mode which generates higher than normal voltages to 'recover' sulphated batteries, which you should be aware of as some shools of thought think they, as already mentioned, can damage can bus electrics. (another can of worms....)

All in all far to complicated for a ferkin battery charger, and given all the possible variables, not to mention bike software versions, I'm not surprised people have problems !

 

[Malcvtr]

Wapping, mate, I bet if we met, we'd get along just fine!

You and I both went the right route and bought an Optimate.

Purely out of curiosity, why did you buy a BMW charger?

 

[Wapping]

Wapping, mate, I bet if we met, we'd get along just fine!

You and I both went the right route and bought an Optimate.

Purely out of curiosity, why did you buy a BMW charger?

No problemo

BMW charger on the GS. Works fine.

I bought the BMW charger because I wanted the convenience of simply plugging it into the aux. socket.

I knew that an Optimate wouldn't work through the aux. socket on the 1200GS due to the shut-down 'problem' and couldn't be a*sed to lift the seat and attach croc clips each time I put the battery on trickle charge. I had had a slight problem on other bikes with the flying leads of the Optimate either corroding at the plug (Optimate have improved the plug over the years) or flexing in the slipstream and breaking the wire inside the sheath (see posts on the subject) leading to intermitent annoying error messages or no charge. If the BMW charger proves unreliable (nearly a year old and still going strong) I will junk it and simply use an Optimate connected straight to the GS's battery via a flying lead.

Optimate on CBR1000RR. Works fine.

Optimate on CBR600 track bike. Works fine.

Optimate on a mate's battery (been sitting there since last May, God knows why now I think abouit it).. .It seems happy enough.

Now I think about I could have taken his battery off charge and used my own Optimate to charge the GS and saved myself the cost of buying the BMW one! That will teach me to do someone a favour and charge their battery for nearly a year Think I will tell him to take it back (or sell him the Optimate).

Cheers

 

[gavin@iow]

I believe there was a software update to allow the official BMW charger to keep the acc socket open after the initial charge, thus allowing the charger to maintain a float charge. Some early bikes had this problem, mine included, although i've not had the update, instead i wired the socket direct to the battery, so avoiding the problem.

 

[Malcvtr]

I must admit I've toyed with the idea of buying a BMW charger for the same reason - convenience - but all the reported issues/rigmarole put me off.

 

[Wapping]

FWIW, I think the 15 minute buisness is valid for this reason - the BMW charger will only work correctly if it can establish a permanent connection to the battery via the accesory socket. To do this it must stop the socket 'switching itself off' after the 15 minute delay after switching off the ignition . I belive the charger is a quite sophisticated piece of kit and can 'talk' to and control the relavent bits of the can bus to do this, but it can only do this if the can is live when the charger is plugged in - hence the advice in the (bike) manual (page 151 by the way ) to switch on the ignition, plug in the charger, and then switch off the ignition - just in case the can has switched itself off after the predetermined delay. I believe the control is two way - plugging the charger into the accesory socket also prevents the charger going into desulphating mode - the BMW charger can also be connected directly to the battery using croc clips or whatever, but its recommended (by BMW, p151 again) that the battery is disconnected from the bike if you do this as higher voltages than are supposedly good for can bus electrics can be generated if the charger goes into what is termed desulphating mode.
Optimates and the like also have a desulphating mode which generates higher than normal voltages to 'recover' sulphated batteries, which you should be aware of as some shools of thought think they, as already mentioned, can damage can bus electrics. (another can of worms....)

All in all far to complicated for a ferkin battery charger, and given all the possible variables, not to mention bike software versions, I'm not surprised people have problems !

Cestria, you are quite right. I had been reading the handbook that came with the charger itself 'Bedienungsanleitung BMW Motorrad Laderegerat' or somesuch. I have just re-checked, not one word in it about plugging it in or operating it but plenty on the LEDs and their meaning and its ability to revive sulphated batteries Maybe I have been lucky, after all.

As you say, a complicated ferkin charger.........

 

[gavin@iow]

I believe the control is two way - plugging the charger into the accesory socket also prevents the charger going into desulphating mode - the BMW charger can also be connected directly to the battery using croc clips or whatever, but its recommended (by BMW, p151 again) that the battery is disconnected from the bike if you do this as higher voltages than are supposedly good for can bus electrics can be generated if the charger goes into what is termed desulphating mode.
Optimates and the like also have a desulphating mode which generates higher than normal voltages to 'recover' sulphated batteries, which you should be aware of as some shools of thought think they, as already mentioned, can damage can bus electrics. (another can of worms....)

I think the paragraph on page 151, bottom r/h side relates to a non BMW charger, there's no need to disconnect the battery from the bike if you use the BMW charger. A very well known motorcycle battery charger can generate up to 22 volts in de-sulphating mode, that's why the manual states " you must dis-connect the battery from the on-board systems if you want to connect 'your' charger directly to the battery terminals". The BMW charger (71 60 7 688 864) when in de-sulphating mode has a maximum voltage of 15.5v. Before i wired my socket direct to the battery (previous post), i used croc clips and the BMW charger directly connected to the battery, with the battery still connected to the bikes electronics for 3 months, and it went into de-sulphating mode , no problems.

 

[Cestria]

I think the paragraph on page 151, bottom r/h side relates to a non BMW charger, there's no need to disconnect the battery from the bike if you use the BMW charger. A very well known motorcycle battery charger can generate up to 22 volts in de-sulphating mode, that's why the manual states " you must dis-connect the battery from the on-board systems if you want to connect 'your' charger directly to the battery terminals". The BMW charger (71 60 7 688 864) when in de-sulphating mode has a maximum voltage of 15.5v. Before i wired my socket direct to the battery (previous post), i used croc clips and the BMW charger directly connected to the battery, with the battery still connected to the bikes electronics for 3 months, and it went into de-sulphating mode , no problems.

I think you are right, having read through the (charger) manual again - the charger spec does indeed specify 15.5 v in desulpating mode. Interesting stuff and only goes to show how difficult it can be sometimes to get the correct info out of equipment manuals, well for me anyway!
It also shows that I could wire up an optimate style plug and socket arrangement directly to the battery terminals and bypass the switch on / switch off ignition malarky

 

[gavin@iow]

It also shows that I could wire up an optimate style plug and socket arrangement directly to the battery terminals and bypass the switch on / switch off ignition malarky

Why BMW didn't do just that in the first place..........oh, then they wouldn't be able to worry us all by saying they've developed a 'special' charger for the GS1200's 'special' electronics, and for customers (me!) to spend even more money,...oh well.

 

[Peter Pan]

Have you had a look at the state of the wiring coming into the aux socket?

There are several threads / posts where owners have expressed concern that corrosion builds up.

Are you sure it's the error light that is coming on? Sorry if the question seems rude but it's a mistake others have made.

The '0' LED in the top row is also red. Its illumination only shows that the charger has started its charging cycle.

If you are having lots of problems (and the battery itself isn't shot for some reason) I suggest junking the BMW charger and conecting an Optimate direct to the battery.

Hi Wapping,

Taking each of your questions in turn :

1. My BMW dealer have been all over the wiring coming into the aux socket like a rash. In fact at one point they disconnected everything and started afresh ....
2. Definately the red error light. I'd be more than happy to get the "other" red light 'cos I know at some point it'll turn amber, then green.
3. Bike is only about 3 months old. Like you I wanted the BMW charger for the convenience of plugging it directly into my accessory socket. Optimate directly to the battery will be my last resort.

FWIW, I've tried all sorts of scenarios, including (but not limited to) :
a) Switch off ignition wait 2 mins, plug in charger - doesn't work
b) Switching ignition on, pause to allow ignition to go through diagnostics check, then off then plug in charger - doesn't work
c) as (b) but switching charger off and on from mains switch on the wall - doesn't work
d) as (b) but leaving charger plugged in and switched on through the whole process - doesn't work

Charging's a bummer - then you ride .....

 

[Wapping]

Hi Wapping,

Taking each of your questions in turn :

1. My BMW dealer have been all over the wiring coming into the aux socket like a rash. In fact at one point they disconnected everything and started afresh ....
2. Definately the red error light. I'd be more than happy to get the "other" red light 'cos I know at some point it'll turn amber, then green.
3. Bike is only about 3 months old. Like you I wanted the BMW charger for the convenience of plugging it directly into my accessory socket. Optimate directly to the battery will be my last resort.

FWIW, I've tried all sorts of scenarios, including (but not limited to) :
a) Switch off ignition wait 2 mins, plug in charger - doesn't work
b) Switching ignition on, pause to allow ignition to go through diagnostics check, then off then plug in charger - doesn't work
c) as (b) but switching charger off and on from mains switch on the wall - doesn't work
d) as (b) but leaving charger plugged in and switched on through the whole process - doesn't work

Charging's a bummer - then you ride .....

You've got problems.....I suggest an Optimate.

 

[Wapping]

I think you are right, having read through the (charger) manual again - the charger spec does indeed specify 15.5 v in desulpating mode. Interesting stuff and only goes to show how difficult it can be sometimes to get the correct info out of equipment manuals, well for me anyway!
It also shows that I could wire up an optimate style plug and socket arrangement directly to the battery terminals and bypass the switch on / switch off ignition malarky

I agree with Cestria and Gavin@IOW.

An Optimate style flying lead from the battery to the charger would certainly cut out the middleman a treat and happines all round.