Trickle charging a Can Bus equipped GS

[Ali-bear]

Centre pin positive (red)
Outer ring negative/earth (black)

 

[Northern jock]

So glad I found this thread before asking the same questions, nearly a Hitler moment

 

[bigmadstu]

I'd recommend connecting the charger direct to the battery. Keep it simple, why involve the canbus system?

 

[Bumhead]

... GS12 - Optimate wired direct to battery by dealer, no need to disc-connect anything else, there's a natty little lead that hangs out behind the RH Throttle body. Never malfunctioned.

Exactly the same here

 

[VanZapp]

I'm just about to buy a charger for my 08 GSA. Should I go for the Optimate 3 or 4......or doesn't it matter?

 

[Alan R]

4, big numbers are better. Seriously, the later 4 model has greater functionality with more sensitive trickle charging function.
Alan R

 

[VanZapp]

Fair enough....thanks Alan. Just ordered.

 

[Bendy toy]

The CanBus is a computer. The Optimate uses a computer to decide what the battery needs. The two systems were written by different people who may or may not have read the programming instructions so the charger and CanBus may or may not co-exist.

Keep it simple and connect direct.

If the old battery is getting weak consider a LiFePO battery. It can't sulphate so does not need a conditioning charger (in fact they are harmful to Lithium cells). The LiFePo battery costs more but are much less hassle, considerably smaller and Optimates are not zero money.