Why is my optimate showing deulphate mode?

[GrinningGSer]

This is a recent experience

BMW original Battery is 6 months old and shows 12.9v at the terminals and also 12.9v at the optimate connector (wired direct to the battery)

The optimate shows red desulphate immediately on connection

This is not happening when I connect the Optimate to my car battery

Surely it cannot be an open connection or the battery would not show 12.9v after 1 week resting

I have used it for the last 4 years and not experienced this

Can anyone offer advice ?

 

[Rat-on-a-GS]

You can get some strange results with 'gel' batteries.

 

[Stumpy]

This happened on mine but worked normally when i "wiggled" the connection. The pins on the bike end have started to corrode a little making a poor connection.

worth checking

Stumpy

 

[Wapping]

This happened on mine but worked normally when i "wiggled" the connection. The pins on the bike end have started to corrode a little making a poor connection.

worth checking

Stumpy

That's my guess, too.

It has has happened on just about every bike I have ever owned, irrespective of version of Optimate or battery type.

The 'new' (sightly larger) plugs are better but not much. The solution is, of course, to cut the male and female plugs off....simple....just never got around to it....

 

[Andy Davies]

This is a recent experience

BMW original Battery is 6 months old and shows 12.9v at the terminals and also 12.9v at the optimate connector (wired direct to the battery)

The optimate shows red desulphate immediately on connection

This is not happening when I connect the Optimate to my car battery

Surely it cannot be an open connection or the battery would not show 12.9v after 1 week resting

I have used it for the last 4 years and not experienced this

Can anyone offer advice ?

Take a look at this thread especially post #12

It worked for me!

Cheers
Andy

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Take a look at this thread especially post #12

It worked for me!

Cheers
Andy

what thread.

Mine is doing exactly the same no matter what I connect it to

Tried the wiggle bit but still the same.

Edit, ah found the post here I'll give it a try

 

[Keith Chapman]

I used to get the desulphate light come on my optimate if I used the aux socket, I put it down to a bad connection. So I went for a plug straight off the battery, never had a problem since.

 

[Nobbyk]

I had this kinda problem on my 04 bike. I asked BMW to have a look at the last service and they found a fault in the wiring behind the clocks, it's been fine since.

 

[Andy Davies]

what thread.

Mine is doing exactly the same no matter what I connect it to

Tried the wiggle bit but still the same.

Edit, ah found the post here I'll give it a try

That's the one Paul - sorry about that, a bit of auld timers there

Andy

 

[GrinningGSer]

Andy, I am afraid that being an electrical numpty, I didn't understand any of your description in the post that Paul has identified.

I have however, rolled sime thin wet and dry, so as to clean the Optimate terminals on the bike, and now it seems to be working well. Early days yet though

My actions will therefore have reduced the terminal contact sizes,albeit only a small amount , which may now cause a contact deficiency.

Your solution would seem to blame the Optimate control unit, but my Optimate works well on another vehicle, so, in my case, I favour the contact corrosion theory on the bike Optimate plug

Thanks for your advice guys