ButtUgly Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 My bike is a 2006 R1200RT. I'm about to put her away for the winter and would like to keep the battery in it's compartment and connected. I have an autocomm system as well as a cordset with a polarized push connector all connected to the battery. My question is: is it safe to leave the battery in it's place (and connected) and use my Optimate III automatic charger as a trickle charge over the winter months. The bike will be stored in a garage for about 5 months.... Link to comment
ButtUgly Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 I guess my question should include: do I run the risk of damaging either the battery or the bike's electronics.... Link to comment
notacop Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 You may just undo the positive side of the battery and hook up the trickle charger. Unless you are charging through the power outlet like I do. An amp or two shouldnt hurt the system but you are playing with the dreaded Canbus. Link to comment
George Brown Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I don't know but, on the package of the BMW Smart Charger that I recently purchased it stated: - for pre-2005 BMW's you can charge through the accessory plug, - for 2005 and later BMW's you should disconnect the battery from the bike before connecting to the charger. Link to comment
RFW Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I guess my question should include: do I run the risk of damaging either the battery or the bike's electronics.... Yes. Trickle charging is bad news for batteries. Float charging can be OK if the float voltage is accurate and temperature compensated, but many float chargers are not that accurate. But why bother? Charge it once every month or 6 weeks if it is disconnected from the bike, or every 3 weeks if left in the bike. Your battery will thank you for it. Link to comment
Ken H. Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Despite the dire warnings of the bike exploding in a ball of fire, etc., I've yet to hear of a single problem by charging the battery while connected on the hexheads. Been doing it for several years. As mentioned, for the sake of the life of the battery, you do want to use a 'smart' float charger rather than a constant voltage trickle charger though. Link to comment
Pictou Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I have for the past few years been using a battery tender plus to keep the battery charged over the winter. It is one of the "smart" chargers that won't overcharge your battery. I have just leave the battery in the bike and keep it connected to this charger. I have never bothered to disconnect the battery and I have had no problems. If you use one of these types of chargers you should have no problem. The only issue with these chargers is that they can't charge the battery using the on board socket - they need to be connected directly to the battery. Link to comment
smiller Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Float charging can be OK if the float voltage is accurate and temperature compensated, but many float chargers are not that accurate.Yes, the calibration of inexpensive float chargers can vary quite a bit. If you feel that you must leave the charger connected all the time then be sure to check the voltage (when connected to the battery, let everything settle for 24 hours first) and be sure that it is no more than 13.1-13.2 volts. Any higher than this and you will likely do the battery more harm than good if left connected over long periods of time. Link to comment
motoguy128 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I've always left my bikes plugged in all winter on a trickle charger, normally jsut hte cheap Battery Tender Jr. and never had a problem including wiht my R1150R. On my R1200RT, I bought the overpriced BMW charger and will leave it plugged into that all winter. I have an SAE connector wired directly to the battery. I keep it plugged in whever it's parked in the garage because I never know how long it will sit before my next ride. I figure it's less wear on the starter to to have the battery "topped-off" for the first start on the cold engine. Higher voltage = lower amps going to the starter to product the same amount of torque. Link to comment
stubblejumper Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 But why bother? Charge it once every month or 6 weeks if it is disconnected from the bike, or every 3 weeks if left in the bike. Your battery will thank you for it. Speaking as a certified electrician that works with batteries on a regular basis,it has been my experience that a battery will last the longest if you charge it to the correct voltage and maintain that voltage.The more that you discharge and charge a battery,the shorter the battery life. Link to comment
HexHead Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I don't know but, on the package of the BMW Smart Charger that I recently purchased it stated: - for pre-2005 BMW's you can charge through the accessory plug, - for 2005 and later BMW's you should disconnect the battery from the bike before connecting to the charger. That's not the charger for the >2005 CanBus bikes and it won't charge through the accessory socket unless you have an additional one hooked directly to the battery. Link to comment
Troper3 Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Are you breaking out the snowmo? Link to comment
ButtUgly Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 Thanks for your advice everyone! I finally decided to play it safe and remove the battery for the winter. I'll have the snowshoes out in a couple of weeks !!! Link to comment
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