BMW battery charger only?

[TGOODMANN150069]

My 2010 F650 GS turned over, but wouldn't start today, so I plugged in the DelTran 800 battery tender that charges the K75S (and the Thumper before this): no go. The manual suggests that I will either need to a) purchase a BMW charger or b) charge the battery directly at the terminals. Anyone have experience that will confirm these two options? Thanks--

[bikerfish1100]

probably due to the Canbus system. you should be able to add an additional accessory outlet which will do more that jsut allow direct charging, it will also allow easier output for accessories.
until such time... charge battery directly, its not that much effort to pull the necessary bodywork.

[MCMXCIVRS]

Yes it is due to the canbus shutting off the power socket 1 minute after the bike is shut down. Somehow the BMW charger is able to communicate with the system and keep the socket live for charging.

The battery is located just under the top panel which is easily removed with only six screws. You can wire in a direct lead and use whatever configuration of plug you like for it. On the panel by the key where the aux plug is located, there is a spot on the opposite side where a second plug, either a BMW or powerlet one, can be fitted. Many, including myself, have done this for battery charging. its also more useful than the original socket which is anly suitable for a very small amperage draw anyway. Some have simply chose to just rewire the original plug directly to battery too.

[samuelh]

The BMW charger that they sell for canbus systems (which works on non-canbus systems as well) seems like it is very high quality. I've used it for the past couple of months on my G650GS. Charge right through the existing port.

My 2c
SH

[jasonTDI]

Yep, what they said about the BMW unit. Works well.

You'd be wise to ditch that POS battery and get an X2 or something a lot stronger. The factory battery is notorious for working one minute and not the next. BTDT. NEVER had an issue since. Plus the X2 (batteries plus) is about double in every rating of the stock unit. The places I go on my F800GS I'd rather NOT have a dead battery. It could take hours to walk out.

[Omega Man]

My 2010 F650 GS turned over, but wouldn't start today, so I plugged in the DelTran 800 battery tender that charges the K75S (and the Thumper before this): no go. The manual suggests that I will either need to a) purchase a BMW charger or b) charge the battery directly at the terminals. Anyone have experience that will confirm these two options? Thanks--
I missed this when you first posted. IMO the only real way to charge a battery is through a direct connect with the battery. This gives you the best electrical path to the battery. If you are using a maintenance charger you would have to wait until the battery is brought up to strength and then try to start the bike. If you end up putting a new battery in. it's a perfect time to add an electrical access point. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, even one of the 2 "prong" rubber connectors that look like half of a 4 "prong" flat trailer connectors works great-the positive end would be one with the rubber coating on the bike/battery side. Now that I think of it, one of the dealers I was at had a jar at the cash register full of the battery side of the Deltran cords. I bought a few - so Deltran has them. HTH Gary

[32232]

The manual suggests that I will either need to a) purchase a BMW charger or b) charge the battery directly at the terminals. Anyone have experience that will confirm these two options? Thanks--

As pointed out by others, without the correct BMW charger the CANBUS system defeats charging unless there is a direct connection to the battery terminals.

Here's the setup on my F800ST, using the pigtail that came with a Battery Tender Junior:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/bikebits/BMW/DSCN0824642x855.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/bikebits/BMW/DSCN0826.jpg

[dadayama]

Not trying to high-jack this post, but i have a question. I have a connection going to my battery for my Gerbing gloves, do you all think i could some how rig that connection to battery tender?

Peter

[Omega Man]

Not trying to high-jack this post, but i have a question. I have a connection going to my battery for my Gerbing gloves, do you all think i could some how rig that connection to battery tender?

Peter
Sure-the harder part is putting on the round connector that gerbing uses to the battery tender. I can't remember if gerbing makes a ready made "adapter". The flat 2 pin is fairly standard. It's between the frame and the seat in the above picture. Some plug their controller in there-then to gloves,jacket etc.

[dadayama]

Well, I took my bike in for the brake fastener recall, and the dealer installed a Battery Tender Jr. for 33 bucks... Thanks for the advice.

[Omega Man]

Well, I took my bike in for the brake fastener recall, and the dealer installed a Battery Tender Jr. for 33 bucks... Thanks for the advice.
:thumb :thumb