BMW Charger R1200GS

[kenkatz]

Hi- I recently purchased a 2005 R1200GS to replace my old R1100GS. Boy, a lot has changed since 1995. I have a question about the BMW battery charger that came with the bike. We have a lot of power outages where I live and this causes the battery charger to shut off. Is it possible to plug this charger into a plug that connects directly to the battery to avoid the CANBUS or do I have to get another charger that will allow me to do this? If so, any suggestions on a charger to purchase. Thanks.

Ken

[marchyman]

I cut the ends off of my charger and attached an SAE socket in the appropriate polarity. This way I can use the charger with the fused pigtail that I added to my GS. The fused pigtail also handles heated gear, tire pumps, etc. When not used it folds up under the small black plastic cover on the left hand side.

// marc

[DarrylRi]

I put a second, fused outlet, wired direct to the battery, on my R1200ST. I use it for my electric jacket and can also plug a charger into it using the standard BMW plug.

[PAULBACH]

Right on Darryl.

Go right to the battery with the charger using terminal rings. The CANBUS system just gets confused with the charger - even the expensive one. As I recall there is some procedure that involves turning the key on and off or is the charger on and off or maybe the key and then the charger.

Drat - connect directly to the battery.

[kenkatz]

Thanks for the replies. For some reason I was under the impression that the BMW charger had to operate through the CANBUS. From what you are all saying, the BMW charger will operate properly wired directly to the battery. That is great news.

Ken

[Semper_Fi]

I cut the ends off of my charger and attached an SAE socket in the appropriate polarity......

// marc

Marc - did you that to this type of charger?

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm43/Semper_Fi_LR/Junk/71607688865.jpg

[marchyman]

Yes I did it to that type of charger. I didn't quite cut the BMW/Powerlet plug off, though... I think it unscrewed easily enough. I had an SAE pig tail that I attached using wire nuts with some cable ties to keep things neat and clean.

That charger is cable tied to a wire shelf close to where I park the bike. I typically put the charger on the bike when I service the bike to check that the battery is OK.

// marc

[PAULBACH]

Hi Marc:

My dealer used to have workshops on various bikes in the BMW fleet. The mechanic recommended that, especially with modern bikes, the bike always be plugged into a battery tender right after a ride - any ride. Battery "tenders" refers to many electrical devices produced by several manufacturers. The all sense voltage in the battery and turn themselves on and off as indicated by the state of the battery.

This advice was also confirmed during an interview with Bill Hyde, owner and operator or Hyde's Hodaka and BMW - deep in the Adirondacks. Bill was mostly referring to vintage bikes but his advice would apply to all motorcycle batteries.

If you want the battery to always be at 100% and last a few more years the battery tender is the way to go even in sunny San Francisco. ;)

[Semper_Fi]

Yes I did it to that type of charger. I didn't quite cut the BMW/Powerlet plug off, though... I think it unscrewed easily enough. I had an SAE pig tail that I attached using wire nuts with some cable ties to keep things neat and clean.

That charger is cable tied to a wire shelf close to where I park the bike. I typically put the charger on the bike when I service the bike to check that the battery is OK.

// marc


Marc - good to know - got a new project! - the special can bus charger has been a PITA for me, hooking it up direct is a great idea!

THANKS

[marchyman]

If you want the battery to always be at 100% and last a few more years the battery tender is the way to go even in sunny San Francisco. ;)

Probably a good idea. But... (and there is always a but!) my batteries don't die a natural death. I kill them long before their time. Most of them, anyway. I did replace a 9 year old 6V battery in my R69S because I got a new one for free. The old one was still holding a charge. Every other battery I've replaced in the last 10 years has been due to stupidity on my part.

Example: when I owned a K12LT I'd sometimes have the radio on when working in the garage. My wife would come out to ask me something and I'd hit the mute button... and then forget the radio was on. 4 days later the bike wouldn't start. Do that a couple of three times and the battery is toast.

On my GS I've already had to replace the battery for a similar stupid reason. Dropping the side stand in gear kills the ignition. It does not kill the lights. 20 minutes of headlight + fog lights and the bike won't start unless you're at the top of a longish incline. 60 minutes and the battery is fully empty.

My rule of thumb is after the third time of running the battery dry I replace it in the bike, moving the old battery to bench duty.

// marc

[Semper_Fi]

I cut the ends off of my charger and attached an SAE socket in the appropriate polarity. This way I can use the charger with the fused pigtail that I added to my GS. The fused pigtail also handles heated gear, tire pumps, etc. When not used it folds up under the small black plastic cover on the left hand side.

// marc


Marc - just finished this morning converting the BMW connector to a direct to battery connector.

Could not find the SAE style as on regular battery chargers so I just used a standard weather proof 2 lead connector - popped and swapped out the end connectors and badda bing badda boom, works just as advertised.

Thanks for the post and great suggestion.

[marchyman]

:thumb

// marc

[r11rs94]

Not to Hijack your thread, but Semper-fi I like your avatar. How do you like this.

[Semper_Fi]

Not to Hijack your thread, but Semper-fi I like your avatar. How do you like this.

COOL!

Did you find it like that or did you modify it?

If you modified it, can you do one for the Air Force as my wife served with them.

Let me know if you can and I will send you my email address.

Semper Fi!!

[r11rs94]

COOL!

Did you find it like that or did you modify it?

If you modified it, can you do one for the Air Force as my wife served with them.

Let me know if you can and I will send you my email address.

Semper Fi!!

Sorry I found this one on line last year. I'm going to play around with it. If I can modify it I'll post it.

[eli54]

I spent the 140+ bucks on that BMW charger and by following the directions with on off ignitions was able to have it work great on my 08 GS. The problem arose when I tried to use my older heated BMW vest. The vest would not work in the accessory outlet. I discovered that if the outlet is asked to deliver more than 5amps the computer shuts down the outlet.
So wanting to use the vest I purchased a second outlet from Powerlet. Magnific, I connected it right to the battery and have it protrude just in back of the driver seat, next to the mfg. outlet. Perfect I can use the vest and as an added bonus I can use the charger, unaltered with out all the hubbub of on off etc. And it does not run threw the computer, always a big plus. Also the powerlet has an inline fuse 15amp fuse. Which is very important to have and absent if you just jimmy rig your own set up. My two cents.

[MartyH]

Right on Darryl.

Go right to the battery with the charger using terminal rings. The CANBUS system just gets confused with the charger - even the expensive one. As I recall there is some procedure that involves turning the key on and off or is the charger on and off or maybe the key and then the charger.

Drat - connect directly to the battery.

Just need to clarify, I have a Battery Tender with a powerlet adapter. Should I NOT plug the battery tender directly into one of my stock receptors on my "06 R12GS?

I have not done it yet, but it was my plan.

[Semper_Fi]

Just need to clarify, I have a Battery Tender with a powerlet adapter. Should I NOT plug the battery tender directly into one of my stock receptors on my "06 R12GS?

I have not done it yet, but it was my plan.

I do not think it would work.

The expensive battery charger from BMW communicates thru the CANBUS to "notify" ZFE to allow the unit to charge.

If you have a BT i would just connect to the battery with a connector.

[108625]

Marc - did you that to this type of charger?

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm43/Semper_Fi_LR/Junk/71607688865.jpg

Fellas,

If you're gunshy about cutting the ends off, or taking it apart, can I suggest another option?
Make a "pigtail". Add another BMW type female socket to your bike, wired directly to the battery. You can install an inline fuse with it, and have something that bypasses CANBUS but is permanently installed on the bike. That way, you don't have to remove the seat and such to directly access the battery anymore, just park the bike and plug in the charger. The charger can still also be used for any other non-CANBUS bikes in your garage, and as a side benefit, you have an additional power point available on the bike when you ride, if you need one.
If you sell the bike and/or charger later, everything looks neat and tidy, too.

[101271]

The placard on this charger warns not to over charge. I presume that this charger doesn't shut down when battery voltage rises to full charge. Is this correct?

Thanks.

Robert
Houston, Tx

Fellas,

If you're gunshy about cutting the ends off, or taking it apart, can I suggest another option?
Make a "pigtail". Add another BMW type female socket to your bike, wired directly to the battery. You can install an inline fuse with it, and have something that bypasses CANBUS but is permanently installed on the bike. That way, you don't have to remove the seat and such to directly access the battery anymore, just park the bike and plug in the charger. The charger can still also be used for any other non-CANBUS bikes in your garage, and as a side benefit, you have an additional power point available on the bike when you ride, if you need one.
If you sell the bike and/or charger later, everything looks neat and tidy, too.