Jon_M Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 On my new R12RT, I have noticed that the hazard warning light button remains illuminated for a short time after I switch off the ignition. I have assumed that there is some German reason for this and haven't worried about it. It always goes out in a short time. However, I just bought the "factory official" BMW battery charger, and I notice that when I plug it in following instructions (switch on ignition, plug in charger, switch off ignition), the hazard warning light button lights up and stays lit. After half an hour, it's still on. Is this normal? Is it simply an indicator that the battery is being charged? Link to comment
steveknapp Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 The light has something to do with the power outlet being on. Since the charger uses the power outlet, it must stay on, and hence so does the hazard warning light. Link to comment
Catbird Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 ...I just bought the "factory official" BMW battery charger, and I notice that when I plug it in following instructions (switch on ignition, plug in charger, switch off ignition)... If you're speaking about the gray-colored BMW charger that sells for ~$115, I just bought one too. I guess I missed that part in the instructions that said that it was necessary to turn the ignition switch to "on" before plugging it into the accessory socket. I'm glad you mentioned that. Link to comment
RightSpin Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Jon, The accessory circuit stays powered on for a few minutes after you turn the key off. This is so you can keep things like the GPS powered up long enough to save information and shut them down cleanly. Link to comment
Jon_M Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 The light has something to do with the power outlet being on. Since the charger uses the power outlet, it must stay on, and hence so does the hazard warning light. Thanks for that quick reply. I watched the light, and sure enough, when the battery was "topped up," the hazard warning light went out and the charger was in maintenance mode. Alles in Ordnung! Link to comment
R4ND0M_AX3 Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 The manual says that it will keep the accessory socket active during charging and shut it down when charging is complete. I doubt your charger is 'maintaining' the charge now. For long term storage the manual says to remove the battery and hook a charger directly to it. Link to comment
steveknapp Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 There has been some debate about this. DCB hooked his charger up, and did some logging. Turns out it works. Somehow the charger gets the outlet to turn back on. It's not really an float charger, but more a cycling charger. Link to comment
Jon_M Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 There has been some debate about this. DCB hooked his charger up, and did some logging. Turns out it works. Somehow the charger gets the outlet to turn back on. The instructions that came with my charger are quite clear about this (which doesn't necessarily mean they are correct for the MC battery): The unit can remain hooked up. The battery is maintained by so-called "driving simulation cycles." And the owner's manual for the R12RT says, " Using this charger, you can keep the battery charged during long periods of disuse, without having to disconnect the battery from the motorcycle's onboard system." Since I was starting out with a new bike and getting a modest discount on accessories, I popped for the BMW charger rather than continuing with the pro and con debate about the Battery Tender. Link to comment
steveknapp Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 The instructions that came with my charger are quite clear about this (which doesn't necessarily mean they are correct for the MC battery) Agreed, and the testing DCB did on his bike confirms it. If that behavior is good for the battery..we'll just assume it's fine. OTOH, the testing I did with the charger and a similar battery on it's own showed different behavior. For me, who's tenders tend many batteries not just my bike, it made more sense to go with the BT. IMH OPINION, the BMW charger is to chargers what integral brakes are to brakes. Sure, they both work, but they do make me wonder what problem they are trying to solve. Link to comment
John Bentall Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 I had a spare piece of BMW wiring loom that the dealer used when mounting the second accessory socket (that should have come with the bike). Have linked the rear socket directly to the battery via a fuse and am using the good old Optimate III. All seems to be well so far. Link to comment
nbooth Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I just got a new 05 R12RT and notice that a new battery charger is necessary. Anyone know where the best buy for this part can be found? Link to comment
Pictou Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 When I bought my 1150RT I was told I needed a special charger for it so I bought one only to find out that it is just a somewhat re-programmed Deltran Battery Tender. Given that other people have been able to charge their batteries in the can bus bikes with "regular" battery chargers hooked directly to the battery I was planning to just hook up a pig tail with a fuse, thus bypassing the bikes wiring,and charge it using my existing charger. When I asked the dealer about this they said it would work fine. At least this way I can keep using my overpriced and now supposedly outdated charger. Link to comment
TowJam Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 I just got a new 05 R12RT and notice that a new battery charger is necessary. Anyone know where the best buy for this part can be found? This is what you're looking for. It will allow you to tender your battery through the accessory socket. (You can probably beat that price though.) Link to comment
BMWRich58 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 On my new R12RT, I have noticed that the hazard warning light button remains illuminated for a short time after I switch off the ignition. I have assumed that there is some German reason for this and haven't worried about it. It always goes out in a short time. However, I just bought the "factory official" BMW battery charger, and I notice that when I plug it in following instructions (switch on ignition, plug in charger, switch off ignition), the hazard warning light button lights up and stays lit. After half an hour, it's still on. Is this normal? Is it simply an indicator that the battery is being charged? I have noticed that the hazard warning light button remains illuminated for a short time after I switch off the ignition. Exactly... for me,after buying a 2005 GS it was explained by the mechanic to me that this "Hazzard" light illuminates,telling you that the circuit is still 'on' allowing the bike to recognize a battery charger if installed. After a few seconds if no charger is hookedup,the light/system turns off. Link to comment
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