moshe_levy Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Like an idiot, I left the headlights on as I went inside to make a phone call. 2 hours later, I came out and realized what I had done when my battery was drained to 0. Here's my question: On my fiance's 2004 R1150R, there is a nifty metal stud marked "+" next to the accessory socket. Preseumably, you can jump-start the bike using this post, saving lots of time and effort. On my RT, I could locate no such post. Can it be on that on the RT, enclosed by tupperware so access is even more of a pain than on the naked R-bike, that there is no such + post? If not, has anyone tried to make their own homemade solution? Yeah, I know, I know, next time I'll switch my key off and none of this will be an issue. -MKL Link to comment
Boffin Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 The aforementioned post was added part way through 2004 - looks like you just missed out. The parts just bolt under the battery lead and are available from BMW. Andy Link to comment
kioolt Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 The early 2004 RT's didn't come with the jumper post installed. They can be added by buying the following parts. 61 21 7 671 334 Angle Piece 61 21 7 671 354 Anode 61 21 7 672 395 Rubber Cover Link to comment
outpost22 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 After just replacing the battery on my RT last week, I decided to add a length of 8 guage wire from the battery to a location under the seat. (I also put on a wire nut and taped it to protect the exposed lead) I figured I could just attach a jumper cable to this lead and ground the other clip to the frame for just the purpose you mentioned. That way, I would only have to remove the seat to jump the battery. I did put a 30 amp fuse in line, but don't know if it is heavy enough to do the job. My logic may be flawed Link to comment
MNCruiser Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Outpost22. Good idea. Did you test it? I may do the same thing if you can assure that it works. Link to comment
ShovelStrokeEd Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Not likely to work, the 8 gauge wire will be marginal for the current draw of the starter and the 30 amp fuse is gonna blow. OK as a charging post but not for jump starting. You can also just remove the cover for the starter and attach a small jumper cable to the post on top, I've done that once or twice. Link to comment
T__ Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 After just replacing the battery on my RT last week, I decided to add a length of 8 guage wire from the battery to a location under the seat. (I also put on a wire nut and taped it to protect the exposed lead) I figured I could just attach a jumper cable to this lead and ground the other clip to the frame for just the purpose you mentioned. That way, I would only have to remove the seat to jump the battery. I did put a 30 amp fuse in line, but don't know if it is heavy enough to do the job. My logic may be flawed Outpost22, as Ed said you can’t fuse it.. BUT, they don’t fuse battery cables to the starter either so keep it insulated & covered & you will be good-to-go.. I would think 8 gauge should work OK.. 6 ga. would be better but that is difficult stuff to work with as far as routing & terminal crimping goes.. I plugged (1 foot) of 8 gauge stranded copper into my chassis calculator here & it shows only .129 volt drop at 100 amps @ 12 volts so that should keep you well above starter operational voltage for jump starting (probably more voltage drop in your jumper cable than the short run 8 gauge.. You MUST keep it short to use 8 gauge though.. Just be very careful that it doesn’t short out to ANYTHING.. Probably better off to just add the later 04 little battery jumper post as that is proven safe.. Twisty Link to comment
SAMSAR Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Related Hijack... I just put the referenced battery parts on my 04 and it works out well. I also have the Ground adapter screw and believe it is supposed to attach somewhere behind the left cylinder. Does anyone know where exactly the ground screw is supposed to go? It's hard to tell from the parts fiche. Thanks, Paul Link to comment
outpost22 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 After just replacing the battery on my RT last week, I decided to add a length of 8 guage wire from the battery to a location under the seat. (I also put on a wire nut and taped it to protect the exposed lead) I figured I could just attach a jumper cable to this lead and ground the other clip to the frame for just the purpose you mentioned. That way, I would only have to remove the seat to jump the battery. I did put a 30 amp fuse in line, but don't know if it is heavy enough to do the job. My logic may be flawed Outpost22, as Ed said you can’t fuse it.. BUT, they don’t fuse battery cables to the starter either so keep it insulated & covered & you will be good-to-go.. I would think 8 gauge should work OK.. 6 ga. would be better but that is difficult stuff to work with as far as routing & terminal crimping goes.. I plugged (1 foot) of 8 gauge stranded copper into my chassis calculator here & it shows only .129 volt drop at 100 amps @ 12 volts so that should keep you well above starter operational voltage for jump starting (probably more voltage drop in your jumper cable than the short run 8 gauge.. You MUST keep it short to use 8 gauge though.. Just be very careful that it doesn’t short out to ANYTHING.. Probably better off to just add the later 04 little battery jumper post as that is proven safe.. Twisty Yeah, the 8 gauge wire is 8 inches long, so I figured voltage loss is minimal. as noted, it is covered on the end with a wire nut, and taped, so little chance of a short-out. The fuse thing I didn't know. I'll just cut it off and the wire will be 6" instead of 8" or just redo it the next time the tupperware comes off again Link to comment
T__ Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Outpost22, if you leave the fuse you will be able to charge the battery through those wires & even give it a little boost (up to fuse size) but you sure won’t be able to jump start the bike with a dead battery through that 30 amp fuse (probably couldn’t do it through a 60 amp fuse).. Twisty Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks - these part numbers are just what I was looking for. And I do see my fiance's R1150R was manufactured 9 months after my R1150RT, even though they're both 2004 models. I guess that explains it! -MKL Link to comment
philbytx Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 When using jumper cables, use the pinch weld on the exhaust. Best ground on the bike according to my DMM . Link to comment
Ken H. Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Does anyone know where exactly the ground screw is supposed to go?It's suppose to attach to a threaded boss on the left head. But earlier heads don't have the boss, so you can't retro-fit the ground stud. No matter, ground to any good spot for a jump. Link to comment
SAMSAR Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Does anyone know where exactly the ground screw is supposed to go?It's suppose to attach to a threaded boss on the left head. But earlier heads don't have the boss, so you can't retro-fit the ground stud. No matter, ground to any good spot for a jump. Thanks Ken for the clarification. Explains why I couldn't figure it out... and Thanks Philby for the exhaust pinch weld ground suggestion. I like it! Paul Link to comment
Silver Surfer/AKAButters Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I added the post to my 02 RT and attach the ground lead to the rear shock bolt under the seat. I've now used it twice and hopefully no one will point out some huge flaw in this method as it seems to work great Rich Link to comment
Quinn Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Where is this jumper post located? Can't find anything down by my accessory plugs. It's an '04 RT. Link to comment
Ken H. Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Where is this jumper post located? Can't find anything down by my accessory plugs. It's an '04 RT. Under the seat, on the right-hand battery terminal. The post was added mid-run US '04 models. Link to comment
Frog Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Have you considered trickle charging it thru the accessory plug outlet? You can get an adapter to plug a battery tender into the outlet. http://www.batterymart.com/p-bmw-charger-plug.html Looks easy and you won't even get your hands dirty! Frog Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Have you considered trickle charging it thru the accessory plug outlet? You can get an adapter to plug a battery tender into the outlet. Trickle charging from a dead battery can take the better part of a full riding day. A jump start is for emergencies, and takes a few minutes. -MKL Link to comment
ItsABeemur Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 When I bought my 04 RT I had it delivered from Oregon to NC. Needless to say after four weeks of travel time in an 18 wheeler...the battery was dead. I plugged in the trickle charger and after just under two and a half hours...I got to ride. Link to comment
Quinn Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Where is this jumper post located? Can't find anything down by my accessory plugs. It's an '04 RT. Under the seat, on the right-hand battery terminal. The post was added mid-run US '04 models. And, sure enough, there it was. Thanks. What a thoughtful feature. Link to comment
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