Electric Gremlins 2016 R1200 RT Part 2

[Omega Man]

So if I am following the thread correctly, the consensus seems to be that the charger is likely the problem and that there might not be any other problem with the bike.

It just seems so troubling that the batteries are lasting only 1 to 2 years.


It also seems that the recommendation is to charge directly to the battery without using the DIN plug on the fairing.

I ordered the Optimate 4 for BMW charger from Revzilla and a new battery from my local dealer.

The bike does have an extended warranty - any recommendations as to what I should ask the dealer to check?

Thanks again for the collective wisdom.

I don’t know if it’s the charger as much as the “procedure” that is needed for the computer to know that the outlet is supposed to be left in the “connect to the battery” mode. If done correctly, it will work. If done incorrectly, the charger runs but the computer has shut off the path to the battery.
While I have read the procedure here on the forum, I can’t remember it. Direct to the battery eliminates the “procedure” and gives a great place to use for other accessory items such as heated riding gear or small emergency tire compressor.
OM

 

[pglaves]

The bike does have an extended warranty - any recommendations as to what I should ask the dealer to check?

Energy in? And energy out?

The two tests are 1) does the charging system properly charge the battery; and 2) with everything turned off how much is the battery drain?

 

[RadioFlyer]

I read an article recently where some auto journalists investigated a BMW car killing batteries. They measured the current drawn by the car after being shut off and found significant current draw when there should be almost none. Turns out a phone charger was keeping an accessory port open which in turn was keeping some controller live and pulling current.

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[217don]

Energy in? And energy out?

The two tests are 1) does the charging system properly charge the battery; and 2) with everything turned off how much is the battery drain?

Thanks. I will ask them to test those two things.

 

[217don]

Use the new Optimate 4/BMW in canbus mode hooked to your powerlet like I do and see what kind of life you get out of your new battery. If you watch the charging indication you should be able to tell if there is a big drain on your system when not running. My guess is your old charger was the problem and hopefully you will be fine now. If you are wary of charging it in this way because of the naysayers (it has been rock solid on my bike) change the mode to direct battery and install a fused pigtail as others suggested. I also quit buying the OEM dealer batteries because of the premium price and poorer performance. There are many good substitutes that are cheaper and last longer. But it should definitely do better than your previous experience.

what size fuse should I use in the pigtail? You are referring to the pigtail pictured in an earlier post, right? Pardon my ignorance, but should the fuse go on the positive or negative lead?
I'm going to guess positive but as I said earlier, electricity is not my strong suit.

 

[RadioFlyer]

Fuse goes in the positive lead. Size should be say 25% larger than the heaviest load that any connected accessory will draw or 25% more than the rating of your charger if only used for charging.

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[pglaves]

Fuse goes in the positive lead. Size should be say 25% larger than the heaviest load that any connected accessory will draw or 25% more than the rating of your charger if only used for charging.

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Agreed! But wire size counts too. Most supplied leads use a wire size of 16 or 14 guage. I use a 7.5 amp fuse in these leads. Any electrical engineers can now tell me that I am right or wrong. My handbook with those tables is in Texas and I am in Iowa at the moment.

 

[RadioFlyer]

Agreed! But wire size counts too. Most supplied leads use a wire size of 16 or 14 guage. I use a 7.5 amp fuse in these leads. Any electrical engineers can now tell me that I am right or wrong. My handbook with those tables is in Texas and I am in Iowa at the moment.

Here is a table. Your 7.5A for 16 AWG looks correct.

 

[Omega Man]

what size fuse should I use in the pigtail? You are referring to the pigtail pictured in an earlier post, right? Pardon my ignorance, but should the fuse go on the positive or negative lead?
I'm going to guess positive but as I said earlier, electricity is not my strong suit.

Battery Tender pigtails come with the appropriate fuse. It makes it simple. I just checked the couple of spare BT leads I have and 7.5 is the fuse size. I pigtails are readily available from motorcycle shops, sporting shops and of course- Amazon.
OM