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2023 RT power outlet
- Thread starter llg3
- Start date
Welcome to the forum!
Seems like it is possible but- after reading thread after thread on how there is a complicated relationship between the outlet and the way the computer on the bike “sees” the outlet, a direct connection to the battery works best.
A SAE connector such as the one that came with the Battery Tender works best and allows the possibility of connecting heated gear or a mini-compressor.
There may be more information in your owners manual and there may be a requirement for Can-Bus specific charger.
Enjoy the forum.
Gary
BMW Motorrad Battery Charger Plus 77022470950
I use the BMW OEM Battery Charger to charge my battery directly from the power outlet.
However, you must use a specific procedure to ensure the power outlet remains "live" during the charge:
1. Turn the ignition of the motorcycle to "ON"
2. Connect the battery charger to the "On Board Socket" first, then connect the charger to a 110 volt outlet.
3. Tiurn the ignition key to the "OFF" position.
Your motorcycle will recognize the charger and will ensure the power outlet remains on.
I've used my BMW Battery charger for my last 3 RTs and it's always worked for me.
I use the BMW OEM Battery Charger to charge my battery directly from the power outlet.
However, you must use a specific procedure to ensure the power outlet remains "live" during the charge:
1. Turn the ignition of the motorcycle to "ON"
2. Connect the battery charger to the "On Board Socket" first, then connect the charger to a 110 volt outlet.
3. Tiurn the ignition key to the "OFF" position.
Your motorcycle will recognize the charger and will ensure the power outlet remains on.
I've used my BMW Battery charger for my last 3 RTs and it's always worked for me.
lkraus
New member
A Battery Tender Jr will not be "recognized" by the bike as a charger and will not work through the accessory outlet.
Shortly after I bought my RT, I thought charging through the outlet would be convenient, but I felt the BMW charger was overpriced. So I bought a Dual Program Optimate 4, which is recognized by the bike and can work through the outlet. It has also been used on my cars, compact tractor and other bikes.
The Optimate came with several interchangeable connectors - the DIN 4165 plug for the outlet, a cigarette lighter plug and battery clamps. They all connect to the charger cord with an SAE connector. Switching to/from BMW mode requires shorting the clamps.
After doing the little dance several times (change the tender into BMW mode, switch connections, plug into socket, ignition on, plug in power, ignition off) I just skipped all that and put a fused SAE lead on all my batteries. No connectors to swap, no modes to change, just plug it in. It's a lot simpler and more reliable. If you have even a brief power outage, charging through the outlet may not resume until you cycle the ignition again.
SAE leads are cheap and can also be used to power tire inflators, heated gear, a powered tank bag, etc. I find the lead much more useful than the accessory outlet.
Oh, welcome to the forum!
Shortly after I bought my RT, I thought charging through the outlet would be convenient, but I felt the BMW charger was overpriced. So I bought a Dual Program Optimate 4, which is recognized by the bike and can work through the outlet. It has also been used on my cars, compact tractor and other bikes.
The Optimate came with several interchangeable connectors - the DIN 4165 plug for the outlet, a cigarette lighter plug and battery clamps. They all connect to the charger cord with an SAE connector. Switching to/from BMW mode requires shorting the clamps.
After doing the little dance several times (change the tender into BMW mode, switch connections, plug into socket, ignition on, plug in power, ignition off) I just skipped all that and put a fused SAE lead on all my batteries. No connectors to swap, no modes to change, just plug it in. It's a lot simpler and more reliable. If you have even a brief power outage, charging through the outlet may not resume until you cycle the ignition again.
SAE leads are cheap and can also be used to power tire inflators, heated gear, a powered tank bag, etc. I find the lead much more useful than the accessory outlet.
Oh, welcome to the forum!
No. Stop. It needs to go direct to battery.
rockbottom
Steve
I've never done a mode change on my Optimate 6. I leave in plugged into the bike's accessory socket most of the time but in the spring will use an SAE cable to my lawnmower. It seems to know the difference.
Last edited:
lkraus
New member
+1.
The Optimate is a good charger, but if I owned a another tender already, I'd use that one. Charging through the outlet appealed to my Gadgetry Gene, but was less convenient than I had hoped.
Currently, the RT has an Odyssey battery which should have a higher initial charging voltage than the Optimate can provide. I'm now using a Ctek 7002 for the RT. The Optimate still sees use on the smaller battery of a Honda CB175.
