What Voltage on display?

[Nemo]

So when you toggle the display to show the voltage - what should it read?
My battery (on an Oct 16 plate GS) went flat after 4 weeks of no use and when I jump started it, and it was running, the display showed 14 Volts - is that what it should read?
Electricity really is the work of the devil!!

 

[snaponphil]

So when you toggle the display to show the voltage - what should it read?
My battery (on an Oct 16 plate GS) went flat after 4 weeks of no use and when I jump started it, and it was running, the display showed 14 Volts - is that what it should read?
Electricity really is the work of the devil!!

Yes, I'm using mine regular & it's showing 14.1v..
I'm gonna guess it's got an alarm that's armed.? I believe it will flatten the battery after 4 weeks, unless you have fitted any extras that are wired direct to the battery, e.g. A USB supply or similar

 

[Nemo]

Thanks snaponphil.

It has an alarm but it is turned off. I have added a GPS cradle which is wired to the battery but as the GPS isn't fitted I don't think that would flatten it?

Looks like an Optimate 4 for me!

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

Thanks snaponphil.

It has an alarm but it is turned off. I have added a GPS cradle which is wired to the battery but as the GPS isn't fitted I don't think that would flatten it?

Looks like an Optimate 4 for me!

Some cradles will cause a small discharge even when the sat nav is not fitted.

 

[Nemo]

Thanks Norfolk Tiger - I didn't know that. I hate electrics

 

[Andi_archer]

There a 12v to 5 v DC converter so there will be a small drain ,you might want to install a relay so its only powered when the bikes turned on.

 

[Sea Dog]

I can't see what my real world voltages are on my GS cos I'm on my boat, but from what I know about batteries off the top of my head, you should be seeing something between 14.4 and 14.8 volts when the engine is running and the battery is about fully charged. This should drop to a little bit under 13 volts when fully charged and the engine has been off a while. If you're keeping an eye on it on it your garage, about 12.2 volts should be as low as you go before recharging as this is roughly 60% charge and dropping below that (some prefer to say 50%) takes a greater toll on battery life and is best avoided. Don't ever let it go flat and think all will be back to tickety boo once it's been on a charger. It might recover reasonably well but it takes a hit. Hope that wet finger guidance helps til a proper AGM guru comes along.

 

[Nemo]

Thanks all. I hope that my battery isn't totally shagged.

 

[snaponphil]

Hi Nemo, get the proper adaptor from bmw (less than £10) & attach it to your sat nav cradle, I'm sure that will sort it..
I did 375 miles today & checked the voltage on the dash, 14.2 all day with headlights on, as sea dog said it won't help the battery if it's been fully discharged & left flat for any length of time.
It takes a couple of weeks of non use to get battery voltage to settle at 12.2ish volts, I'm guessing something's turned on when left unattended..

 

[leadfarmer]

Hi Nemo, get the proper adaptor from bmw (less than £10) & attach it to your sat nav cradle, I'm sure that will sort it..
I did 375 miles today & checked the voltage on the dash, 14.2 all day with headlights on, as sea dog said it won't help the battery if it's been fully discharged & left flat for any length of time.
It takes a couple of weeks of non use to get battery voltage to settle at 12.2ish volts, I'm guessing something's turned on when left unattended..

Good idea, the canbus powers off the "official" BMW feed about 10 seconds after the ignition is switched off so no danger of flattering the battery

I've got my Tomtom mount connected that way

 

[WaterMonkey]

so no danger of flattering the battery

I tell my battery every day how gorgeous it looks and what a beautiful shape it is..

 

[Deleted account Aberdeen GS]

No need for an optimate ( unless you only ride your bike obe season a year). Replace the battery with a new one.

 

[leadfarmer]

I tell my battery every day how gorgeous it looks and what a beautiful shape it is..

Bugger !

 

[Nemo]

Thanks for the tip about the Canbus attachment. I'll do that and I've found the thread about how to connect it.
It may involve soldering though and I've learnt the hard way never to try to catch a soldering iron when you drop it. I caught it and it was a bit hot!!!!!

 

[Nemo]

I tell my battery every day how gorgeous it looks and what a beautiful shape it is..

My battery is a flat slag!