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Q: OK to have ignition ON with engine OFF (2015 RT)?

B

BMW Triumphant

Ed Kilner #176066
A long time ago, bikes had ignition points that might be closed when the ignition was turned on. This could cause burnt points That is no longer a problem.

I just recently changed the oil for the winter layover. But, I might want to attach the Nav V and check out a few settings. This would require turning the ignition switch ON, but not starting the engine. I would keep the switch on for maybe 15 minutes and the battery tender would remain connected.

I know this would cause the daytime running lights and taillight to light up and assume the tender would minimize the effect on the battery.

The real question is, are there any other bad things (akin to burning points) that might result? I don't believe this is covered in the owner's manual.
 
Ignition on?

I would probably disconnect the battery charger/tender while the ignition is on to reduce the load on the charger and then plug it back it when finished and let it do its thing. I don't know what the total current load would be with the front/rear lights on and perhaps the ignition but it is not a load I would want the battery charger to deal with. YMMV
 
kaileybutt said:
I would probably disconnect the battery charger/tender while the ignition is on to reduce the load on the charger and then plug it back it when finished and let it do its thing. I don't know what the total current load would be with the front/rear lights on and perhaps the ignition but it is not a load I would want the battery charger to deal with. YMMV
Click to expand...
What load could be asked of the charger of a non running bike beyond the normal battery voltage? The charger is already designed to deal with a totally dead battery I doubt a draw would cause an issue. Never has for me over the years anyway I do it all the time on a variety of bikes.

Sent from my SD4930UR using Tapatalk
 
Not only would the charger then be supporting the current draw of the headlight, tail light, and computer, but so would all of the wiring between them and wherever you plug the charger into. Most accessory outlets - including the CanBus - cannot safely support this current unless you have LEDs everywhere.
 
Pauls1150 said:
Not only would the charger then be supporting the current draw of the headlight, tail light, and computer, but so would all of the wiring between them and wherever you plug the charger into. Most accessory outlets - including the CanBus - cannot safely support this current unless you have LEDs everywhere.
Click to expand...
I disagree. The battery is supplying the power, the charger is restoring the power to the battery and the charger can only supply the amps ita designed to put out.

You guys make it sound like the bike is going to draw 200 amps and somehow the charger will attempt to output that.

We also don't know how he has the charger connected and only thing on would be market lights and taillight. Everything else shuts down after a few seconds of not starting.

Sent from my SD4930UR using Tapatalk
 
I've been at my dealer when they are doing computer updates, switch on, engine off for 20-30 minutes, bike starts right up afterward. When using my GS911 tool I leave the optimate 4 plugged in directly to battery, never had any issues
 
I don't think the headlight with its 60w draw comes on with the ignition. It lights up when the engine starts (I think).
 
Pauls1150 said:
Not only would the charger then be supporting the current draw of the headlight, tail light, and computer, but so would all of the wiring between them and wherever you plug the charger into. Most accessory outlets - including the CanBus - cannot safely support this current unless you have LEDs everywhere.
Click to expand...

I should have said the tender is connected directly to the battery and the accessory outlet is thus not / not involved.
 
Nav V and Chargers

It didn't say why, but the on-line manual for the Nav V, page 2 said "Note: Remove the device (i.e., the Nav V) from the motorcycle mount before connecting a battery charger to your motorcycle"

Probably an abundance on caution on the part of Garmin or BMW but thought it was worth a mention.
 
daveh10st said:
It didn't say why, but the on-line manual for the Nav V, page 2 said "Note: Remove the device (i.e., the Nav V) from the motorcycle mount before connecting a battery charger to your motorcycle"

Probably an abundance on caution on the part of Garmin or BMW but thought it was worth a mention.
Click to expand...

It may well be over cautious. I doubt seriously that connecting a charger would create a transient voltage or current spike that would destroy the Nav V. It would probably take out the BMW computer as well.

I would also think just starting up the bike would provide the opportunity for even larger transients. Our modern bikes are really a computer with an engine attached!

Still, I missed that and owe you a "thank you"?
 
RYD1WD said:
Concur... have done this many times, many different bikes, no ill effects.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Good credentials in your signature line. There are lots of questions posed here that you might help answer with a degree of authenticity, given your connection to BMW.

Seems like hard info is sometimes impossible to get. Opinions are plentiful, and often contradictory.

Thanks!
 
Over thinking

Why does everyone think our bike are different than Cars. No one would ever think twice about this issue with there cars. Electronicly bikes and are just about identical. Don't over think!
 
pjones7552 said:
Why does everyone think our bike are different than Cars. No one would ever think twice about this issue with there cars. Electronicly bikes and are just about identical. Don't over think!
Click to expand...

I'm not in the "no one" club I guess. I would think the same about my car, if I had to keep the ignition on for some reason.

Remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question - you might get a really informative answer!

Not overthinking might result in a bad outcome, as long as we are not talking about real-time riding events, etc.
 
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