Trickle charging the r1200gs 2018LC

[MikeW]

Hi
I’ve been searching forum but not much luck.

What’s the best way to trickle charge the battery and what model of charger can you recommend.

I had an 05 Gs which I charged, connecting straight to the battery but not sure with this LC model.

I’m also going to fit a fuze block, can battery be trickle charged through this,? like I use to on my triumph.

Any mounting ideas for the fuze block ?

Sorry for all the questions but these are just a few that I need answering

Cheers for any help

 

[leadfarmer]

Hi

Canbus chargers can be plugged straight into the auxiliary socket next to the screen

Personally I use a CTek charger with a fly lead that I leave connected directly to the battery, the battery is easy to get to under the right hand cover and there’s also a remote +ve terminal if you can’t be bothered to slide the battery out

I use the same charger for 2 bikes that way

 

[Flaming T]

In my opinion, the OEM charger is the best option. Plugs into the cockpit socket and monitors the battery, topping up when needed. I leave mine plugged in all the time.

As for the fuseblock, it should fit under the seat. There are some YT videos out there to reference with.


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[casbar]

Optimate 4 Canbus charger here, used these on all my LC bikes. Interestingly BMW currently have a software issue with their own chargers through the can bus aux port. Now the details are a bit thin, but they are advising not to use the aux ports. This maybe only RT related, but using their own charger through the aux port is actually discharging batteries on some 1250s. Now having run tests on 3 1250 RTs we are not experiencing any issues. But allegedly the problem seems to be with bikes fitted with BMW trackers. The chargers are activating the can bus circuit and waking up the trackers. Result is the trackers are taking more out of the battery than the BMW chargers can put back in. None of our 1250s have the trackers enabled. There is no issues with 1200s though. Direct to the battery connection there are no issues.

 

[Rockred]

I just plug my Optimate 4 into the auxiliary socket on the right hand side next to the screen, it stays plugged in permanently until I take the bike out for a spin. The bikes a 2015 GS.

 

[GSian]

I just use a CTek wired straight to the battery. No problems in over a year on the 1250GS.

 

[Rowle]

Same here

 

[malcopopolo]

Any trickle charger connected straight to the battery will do.
I use a Lidl smart charger that has the option to select motorcycle - cost £13.99. 5 years ago


perfect for you

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/568977-New-Genuine-BMW-Motorrad-Battery-Charger-PLUS

 

[Micko123]

Ctek for me too, plugged into Keis fused heated clothing fly lead, direct to battery.

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[littleade]

Optimate 4 here, connected via the SAE lead direct to the battery rather than via canbus so I can power my heated vest or airman pump. Used the same setup on 2 1200s and now my 1250 GS for 6 years without any problems

 

[MikeW]

Thanks for the reply’s, all very helpful think I’ll go down the route of the optimate 4

 

[Alex_TE]

I just use a CTek wired straight to the battery. No problems in over a year on the 1250GS.

Ditto.

Even asked the dealer to fit the Ctek lead to the battery on my behalf when I picked up the bike ('21 GSA).

 

[Hann]

When fitting permanent leads from a socket/plug/whatever to the battery terminals for charging purposes or power supply (i`m thinking DIN socket so i can run my heated gear off it) the battery will obviously be disconnected temporarily.

Is there anything to look out for or any particular procedure to follow on the Canbus-equipped modern bikes when removing the battery leads to prevent any electrical gremlins from occuring?
Will any settings/info be lost?
I`m probably just being a bit paranoid after hearing tales of woe that can occur on some cars like the Poogeot i own where you have to wait for the BSI to `go to sleep` before battery disconnection.
I`m assuming the 2021 1250GSA does not have a hidden DIN socket on the bike anywhere?

 

[RallyeGS]

Not hidden, but moved from the cockpit to the left side of the bike on my 2021 1250 GSA

 

[Barnoe]

I just plug my Optimate 4 into the auxiliary socket on the right hand side next to the screen, it stays plugged in permanently until I take the bike out for a spin. The bikes a 2015 GS.

Mines a 2017, i do exactly this

 

[GoSquirrel]

Thanks for the reply’s, all very helpful think I’ll go down the route of the optimate 4

+1 for the Optimate - plug in to your aux socket and forget about it, it just does its thing!

 

[Soggy]

I use the optimate 4 with no issues but added an additional din direct to battery
I use this all the time to charge now I can also use my air pump as the factory din is only 5 Amps and couldn’t run the thing


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[GSian]

Is there anything to look out for or any particular procedure to follow on the Canbus-equipped modern bikes when removing the battery leads to prevent any electrical gremlins from occuring?
Will any settings/info be lost?

If you have the Stealth tracker fitted, you may want to set it in the app to know you're going to do it, so it doesn't notify you. Otherwise nothing to worry about.

It's worth noting for anyone intent on using Optimate 4, if you want it to work through Can-bus it needs to be a Can-bus version. Otherwise it won't work the way it should.

 

[Moosehead84]

I’ve got an optimate 3 and about to connect it directly to the battery using the correct lead with fuse block. I assume I won’t run into any issues with a 2016 GSA?

 

[GSian]

I’ve got an optimate 3 and about to connect it directly to the battery using the correct lead with fuse block. I assume I won’t run into any issues with a 2016 GSA?

You won't, it'll be fine.