Recommendations for battery charger?

[Dreamer]

I know the best thing is to ride often enough that you never need one, but for those times when it's not possible...
Any recommendations for an easy-connect battery charger for 1200GS? I've got a basic car one that works OK, but it's a bit of a faf having to disconnect/reconnect battery and would really like one that connects via the accessory socket (and is canbus-friendly).

Any good/bad experience?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[terayon]

The one from Nippy Norman is good
http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TES-CHARGER&variation=&aitem=4&mitem=4

 

[Attleborough]

The one from Nippy Norman is good
http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TES-CHARGER&variation=&aitem=4&mitem=4

+1 Another vote for this - to paraphrase the annoying advert, it does what it says on the site.

You don't even have to worry about the Canbus going to sleep before you plug it in, it activates the system when you plug in and switch on.

 

[Dreamer]

Thanks guys... I'd seen that one (Nippy is usually my first point of call)... but it seemed a bit pricey. Is it better than the Optimate thingies?

 

[wessie]

Thanks guys... I'd seen that one (Nippy is usually my first point of call)... but it seemed a bit pricey. Is it better than the Optimate thingies?

Seems a lot of extra £££ just to be able to use the accessory socket. I'd get an Optimate. Attach the provided lead directly to the battery. You then connect the Optimate to this fly lead.

On my 1150 the lead is coiled in a recess under the seat. I simply unlock the seat, join the leads and off it goes. Well, I used to, until I ditched the fubarred lead/acid battery for a Hawker Odysssey...

 

[STUBBS]

another for the optimate

 

[skyenet]

I'd get an Optimate. Attach the provided lead directly to the battery. You then connect the Optimate to this fly lead.

On my 1150 the lead is coiled in a recess under the seat. I simply unlock the seat, join the leads and off it goes.

I have used an Optimate on all my bikes for the last few years. Fitted the fly lead on my R1200GS and it just hangs out just under the tank on the left hand side so quick and easy to hook up to my optimate. The Fly lead connections are the same as Tamiya Radio Controled cars/planes so I bought extra connectors from my local model shop.

The Optimate's negative/positive is wired the opposite way to the Tamiya red and black wires. I made a small crossover connector from a male and female connector which I have on the end of the power lead from my optimate. I then wired the bike with a Fly lead I made up, but wired the way Tamiya kit is, and this gives me an extra place I can plug gear into. I have fitted Tamiya plugs onto quite a few electrical bits and pieces and its a handy way to plug gear into the bike. Also made up and convertor for the standard BMW Aux socket. I also have some small 12v dry cell batteries from Maplins that I have put a Tamiya connector on to give me portable power for my gadgets away from the bike.

 

[GSmonkey]

Keep it simple, use an optimate. Wire it in like skyenet describes. Plug it in. Sorted.

 

[Dreamer]

Thanks guys, I'm going to order an Optimate now

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I wired a plug to my Optimate that fits into the accessory socket down by the starter. I found the Optimate connectors to be short lived.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

I wired a plug to my Optimate that fits into the accessory socket down by the starter. I found the Optimate connectors to be short lived.

Ditto

 

[Dreamer]

FWIW, I bought mine from TH eGreen Reaper (http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/battery-chargers.asp?types=yes&type=Battery+Chargers) - superb service, next day delivery. .. and a great name!

I also bought a wall bracket and extension cable.
10mins to connect short plug cable to battery and fix charger to the wall; now it's neat and tidy and always ready to go - brill.

 

[falcoron]

wired

I wired a plug to my Optimate that fits into the accessory socket down by the starter. I found the Optimate connectors to be short lived.

Can you tell me how you did it? ( crap at electrics, brown to earth, blue to feck, sort of thing)