2009 BMW R1200RT - Battery Trickle Charger

[lkchris]

If you are plugging your charger into the BMW power outlets (AND they are not wired directly to the battery or to the battery through a fuse panel), then you will need to trick the CANbus to maintain a connection between the BMW power outlet and the battery. To do so, plug your charger into the BMW power outlet either with the bike running or before switching off the ignition and then plug your charger into your wall socket (110v).

I've seen this on forums before but it's NOT in the owners manual nor is it in the instructions for the BMW charger.

It's not required when using the BMW charger.

I simply plug my charger into my not-running motorcycle at the front power outlet, plug the charger into house electricity, and it maintains my battery just fine.

[b25bsaboy]

First, I presume that the dealer sold you the type of Optimate-4 which is adaptable to the CanBus system. There are two versions...one of which can be switched to work with CanBus. Once you have that set up correctly, then yes, first plug the Optimate lead into the bike, then into the AC line. When disconnecting, do the reverse.

Thank you for pointing this out to me, as I haven't even open the box. Went and looked at it more carefully and took it back to the dealer as there was nothing mentioned on the box with regards to Canbus.
Now the fun begins, as I went back to the local BMW dealer who sold me the Optimate-4 to a front end service writer who looked and we both went to ask the service manager. As it turns out they were all in a circle on the showroom floor and what an opportunity gathered all the collective minds, the senior BMW mechanic (who by the way is awesome), parts manager, service manager and a senior parts person.
Yes there is a separate Optimate-4 for Canbus, but they sold the last one yesterday (*$#@**)!
The service manager and especially the senior mechanic gave me an answer after I said which rather surprised me, "What would the problem be if I just took the red lead and mount it directly to the + terminal and the black to the - terminal on the battery"? All agreed that if you are handy with tools, take the leads and mount directly to the battery. Sorry, this was not the answer I was expecting.
Their reasoning was that most high end riders would prefer to take the attached plug and plug it into the power outlet. I further questioned them about doing what they suggested with regards to doing damage to the Canbus Computer setup. They all laughed and said there is very little chance of this happening only if the leads are placed on the wrong terminal.
I just hope they are right and I apologize if I have caused confusion on this issue. Been a long week and I think it's time for a glass of red French wine!

[toooldtocare]

I've seen this on forums before but it's NOT in the owners manual nor is it in the instructions for the BMW charger.

It's not required when using the BMW charger.

I simply plug my charger into my not-running motorcycle at the front power outlet, plug the charger into house electricity, and it maintains my battery just fine.

I knew I had seen it someplace, although it is not in the owners manual. http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=2678 Do not know, but why take a chance. Takes only a second to turn on the key, plug in the charger, and turn off the key.

[mpmarty]

Thanks for the info on the fuse block. That said, do you know if the canbus BMWs also have fuses?

No fuses on canbus bikes. ZFE does it all.

[marchyman]

No fuses on canbus bikes. ZFE does it all.

No fuses on MOST canbus bikes. There are two fuses for the aux lights on the GS Adventure. Fuse Mini, brown, part number 61 13 6 917 402.

[b25bsaboy]

First, I presume that the dealer sold you the type of Optimate-4 which is adaptable to the CanBus system. There are two versions...one of which can be switched to work with CanBus. Once you have that set up correctly, then yes, first plug the Optimate lead into the bike, then into the AC line. When disconnecting, do the reverse.

Thought I would followup on the out come of hooking the Optimate-4 directly to the battery. When it was first hooked up all the lights came on which startled me and quickly re read the manual to understand what all the lights mean. Battery was in need of charging. The yellow lights slowly disappeared on the indicator middle bar and the two green lights came on. They stay on but every so often one of them (forget which side) flash's and this tell's me its checking.
Bottom line is so far so good!

[164809]

A simple question. (I hope)
I have a 2004 R1150RTP with accessory socket.
What charger should I buy to safely charge the
battery using the socket?
I have a feeling my bmw charger from the old R100RT is not adequate for the job.
Thanks,
Peter

[toooldtocare]

In 2004 I bought a new R1100S that had the smaller BMW gell battery. Advice then was not to use the standard Deltran Battery Tender like I had using on my airheads, BMW had their own branded version of the Deltran. They said that the algorithm was different and would damage the battery if I used the wrong one.

Anyway, I bough the BMW/Deltran Battery Tender and used it through the same accessory socket. Several friends of mine continued to use the old Deltran Battery Tender with the same results, no problems. Others switched to the Deltran JR with no problems either. Wish I could give you a firm answer, but I would think if you have a smart charger you are probably ok.

Wayne