Electronics » Battery advice

R1200RS + R1250RS Forum � 1250 RS technology � Electronics � Battery advice

Page 1 of 2 � Page 1 2 Page �

Topic settings

Print view

Jump to forum

RS-Forum New Member Introductions Forum operation, design and help guest area My ride tour reports in planning training and coaching 1200 RS technology General topics Exhausts and Engine Tyres, Brakes and Suspension Tuning and modding Electronics Warranty stuff 1250 RS technology General topics Exhausts and Engine Tyres, Brakes and Suspension Tuning and modding Electronics Warranty stuff RS equipment Navigation accessories clothing and helmet What have you done to bike Knowledge Base Knowledge Base - how it works Knowledge Base Meeting Thread RS worldwide regions Africa Asia Australia Canada Europe Europe UK Middle East South America USA Midwest USA Northeast USA Southeast USA Southwest USA West RS Lounge Area Off Topic Other Bikes buy and sell forum rules

#1 | Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:20 am (Last edited: Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:20 am)

Hi, I want to attach an Optimate 4 battery optimiser to my bike as battery is getting a bit low. Not the most electrically minded, can I plug it into the charging socket that sits under the seat near to the battery access? Thanks

reply

#2 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:15 am

Personally, I prefer a fused pigtail SAE connection to the battery directly. Less hassle, and if you need direct 12v power for something (e.g., portable air compressor), it�s an easier connection.

I�m a Notary Public. RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!

limesgmt does not like the post

reply

#3 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:53 am

Zitat von Becksy im Beitrag #1
... charging socket that sits under the seat near to the battery access? ...

What socket is that? Do you mean the auxiliary socket? To attach to the aux socket you will need the OptiMate 4 Dual Program edition.

I prefer the pigtail approach.

reply

#4 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:55 am

There are a couple of versions of the Optimate 4. I have the version that is canbus compatible and it works okay via the accessory socket for occasional top-ups if I have done a few short rides in winter. Most of the time, such top-ups are not necessary.

On my Optimate 4, you have to manually set the device into canbus mode so read the manual to figure out this. You also need to read the manual so you know the sequence of LEDs to expect in canbus mode.

If you want to leave the Optimate plugged into the bike and just leave it for several weeks or months then I advocate what the zero bloke says, fit a fly lead directly to the battery. This bypasses the canbus controller and will mean you have removed one of the potential glitches that might mean an unhappy battery. If your Optimate 4 is not the canbus version then you will need to do this anyway.

Spam goes here

reply

#5 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 12:47 pm (Last edited: Fri Oct 28, 2022 12:49 pm)

Thanks all, so I can plug it into the accessory socket, just need to be sure that the Optimate is in Canbus, I believe I have that version.
For some reason I get nervous messing with electricals and think I am going to get something wrong and blow it up or start a fire

But good point on the fly lead, my RS is new to me in the spring and need to attach the lead for heated gear to the battery in the near future.

reply

#6 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:15 pm

There's plenty of useful info on this elsewhere on the forum. Try:

Battery charging bmw r1250rs
Non-BMW battery tender for trickle charging battery

KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

these members like the post: Becksy and Mr. 36654

reply

#7 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 3:55 pm

I'm warm to the idea of trying the Optimate canbus charger.
Why not? It's neat and approved and lets the bike's brains divvy out the charge to an in place battery.

I don't own one. It's on the list at some point.
I take the battery out when I need to and then put it on a battery tender elsewhere.

Speaking of that, taking the battery out is a somewhat helacious affair- hence the common talk here of accessory charging methods- pigtails vs. canbus. Otherwise, you'd see threads of "I take the battery out and charge it on a bench" all over the place. You don't for a reason.

Pigtails are a fine idea. But you have to be a little finicky, fiddly and like wiring. It's not a big deal, but you can't half-ass it. The lead needs to be fused and run and tied down intelligently and neatly and should probably have an outer mesh/tube jacket, etc. to prevent it from rubbing, etc.
And besides, you'll need to learn to take the battery out to put a pigtail in. That's never a bad thing. The battery will have to come out at some point.

reply

#8 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 4:03 pm

Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #7
I'm warm to the idea of trying the Optimate canbus charger.
Why not? It's neat and approved and lets the bike's brains divvy out the charge to an in place battery.

I don't own one. It's on the list at some point.
I take the battery out when I need to and then put it on a battery tender elsewhere.

Speaking of that, taking the battery out is a somewhat helacious affair- hence the common talk here of accessory charging methods- pigtails vs. canbus. Otherwise, you'd see threads of "I take the battery out and charge it on a bench" all over the place. You don't for a reason.

Pigtails are a fine idea. But you have to be a little finicky, fiddly and like wiring. It's not a big deal, but you can't half-ass it. The lead needs to be fused and run and tied down intelligently and neatly and should probably have an outer mesh/tube jacket, etc. to prevent it from rubbing, etc.
And besides, you'll need to learn to take the battery out to put a pigtail in. That's never a bad thing. The battery will have to come out at some point.

you do not need to take the battery out to fit a pigtail. There is a remote "jump start" positive terminal for the lead and the negative terminal is accessible.

Spam goes here

these members like the post: Mr. 36654 and basskleff

reply

#9 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 4:23 pm (Last edited: Fri Oct 28, 2022 4:25 pm)

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #8

you do not need to take the battery out to fit a pigtail. There is a remote "jump start" positive terminal for the lead and the negative terminal is accessible.

I agree, it's very easy to add a pigtail using the remote post.
For people who have not noticed, it's under a small red cover.

The two red lines in my picture point to the red cover over the positive remote post and the negative post on the battery.

Battery 1.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Lee
2022 R1250RS White Sport
Iowa, USA

these members like the post: Ray B, Mr. 36654, Ray and basskleff

reply

#10 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 7:17 pm

Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #9
Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #8

you do not need to take the battery out to fit a pigtail. There is a remote "jump start" positive terminal for the lead and the negative terminal is accessible.

I agree, it's very easy to add a pigtail using the remote post.
For people who have not noticed, it's under a small red cover.

The two red lines in my picture point to the red cover over the positive remote post and the negative post on the battery.

Is that a Hexcode GS911 plugged in?
Do you like it?
Any opinion on this choice versus the Motoscan Ultimate software and an OBDII interface?
I started looking at the two today, and it almost seems like a wash price wise, or close to it.
OBDLink LX - $90
Cable for 2016- $20
Android device - ~$100+
Motoscan software that can actuate as well as reset- ?? gotta be $60-70 at least.

reply

#11 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 7:35 pm

Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #10
Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #9
Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #8

you do not need to take the battery out to fit a pigtail. There is a remote "jump start" positive terminal for the lead and the negative terminal is accessible.

I agree, it's very easy to add a pigtail using the remote post.
For people who have not noticed, it's under a small red cover.

The two red lines in my picture point to the red cover over the positive remote post and the negative post on the battery.

Is that a Hexcode GS911 plugged in?
Do you like it?
Any opinion on this choice versus the Motoscan Ultimate software and an OBDII interface?
I started looking at the two today, and it almost seems like a wash price wise, or close to it.
OBDLink LX - $90
Cable for 2016- $20
Android device - ~$100+
Motoscan software that can actuate as well as reset- ?? gotta be $60-70 at least.

In the summer of 2020, the OBDLink LX was $60 on Amazon. I used an old Amazon Fire tablet for the Android device. Ask a neighbor if their kid or grandkid has one that's unused and unwanted.

Old Forum Orphan

reply

#12 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:31 pm (Last edited: Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:32 pm)

Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #10
Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #9
Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #8

you do not need to take the battery out to fit a pigtail. There is a remote "jump start" positive terminal for the lead and the negative terminal is accessible.

I agree, it's very easy to add a pigtail using the remote post.
For people who have not noticed, it's under a small red cover.

The two red lines in my picture point to the red cover over the positive remote post and the negative post on the battery.

Is that a Hexcode GS911 plugged in?
Do you like it?
Any opinion on this choice versus the Motoscan Ultimate software and an OBDII interface?
I started looking at the two today, and it almost seems like a wash price wise, or close to it.
OBDLink LX - $90
Cable for 2016- $20
Android device - ~$100+
Motoscan software that can actuate as well as reset- ?? gotta be $60-70 at least.

Yes it's a GS911 Wifi. I don't carry a laptop on trips so I could not get by with the cheaper USB version.
We're 175 miles from a dealer so I mainly use it to reset the service reminder.
If I had to do it over I would go the Motoscan route.
I was thinking the Motoscan setup was cheaper than what you show.
Could one of you guys reply with what you spent for the complete setup. Mr 36?

Lee
2022 R1250RS White Sport
Iowa, USA

basskleff likes the post

reply

#13 | RE: Battery advice datum

Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:45 pm

Lee,

I have the 30Euro version of the MotoScan software which covers service resets. As noted before, the OBDLink LX cost $60 when I bought it and the pre-2018 bikes require the Round to Rectangular adaptor cable ($20). While the software is intended for Android phone (a no-go with my iPhone), I run a freeware Andoid emulator on an old Fire Tablet. I've read that others, use Freeware Andoid emulators to run the MotoScan software on laptops. The laptop requires Bluetooth to communicate with OBDLink LX code reader.

The OBDLink LX should work with most post-1996 cars and trucks sold in the US using the included software (android or windows)

So, other than the software and OBD reader, the cost depends on the age of your RS (if you need the adapter cable) and if you need an android or PC device

Old Forum Orphan

basskleff likes the post

reply

#14 | RE: Battery advice datum

Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:00 am

Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #11

In the summer of 2020, the OBDLink LX was $60 on Amazon. I used an old Amazon Fire tablet for the Android device. Ask a neighbor if their kid or grandkid has one that's unused and unwanted.

Darn, that large gap before the last post got me again :)
I did not see this post when I replied.

Lee
2022 R1250RS White Sport
Iowa, USA

reply

#15 | RE: Battery advice datum

Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:03 am

Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #7
�.Pigtails are a fine idea. But you have to be a little finicky, fiddly and like wiring. It's not a big deal, but you can't half-ass it�.

While I get the point about accessing the positive terminal on the battery, it isn�t anything involving �wiring.� Pull battery out enough to reach positive terminal (I use paint stirrers and an inverted 5 gallon bucket to support the battery), detach each terminal then reattach with pigtail connectors added.

Zitat von Becksy im Beitrag #5
�.For some reason I get nervous messing with electricals and think I am going to get something wrong and blow it up or start a fire

Don�t worry. BMW has a safety feature for this. When you see the magic smoke�you�ve done it wrong.

I�m a Notary Public. RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!

reply

Emergency key problems � � 25% off code at shopbmwmotorcycles.com

Page 1 of 2 � Page 1 2 Page �