Beaky Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Just disconnected the battery on my 08RT so I could recharge the battery. The manula says if I have it disconnected for a prolonged period the bike will "forget" the date and when I reconnect it the timed part of the service indication won't work as the bike won't know the date. The manual says have a dealer reset the date. Anyone any idea how I can reset the date or even how long a period can the battery be disconnected before the date is lost or even how do I tell if the date is right or not? Seems a pretty crap system if an owner can't disconnect the battery for a while during the winter - even the manual advises you should do this. I just did it as I use an old optimate charger as I didn't want to shell out BMW prices for a charger I'll only use once or twice a year. Link to comment
Mister Tee Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 For whatever it's worth, those of us who have newer (08 and later) bikes and service them ourselves live with the annoying "Service" indication and we just tune it out. So, either 1) the dealer can reset it at the next scheduled service, or 2) it doesn't matter anyway if you aren't going to the dealer for service. Link to comment
Beaky Posted January 18, 2009 Author Share Posted January 18, 2009 After 3 hours on the optimate charger, it indicated the battery was fully charged so I reconnnected it to the bike. On switching on the ignition the dash warned a service was due in Aug 2009, this is correct. However, the "bike" must think it's nearly August to give me this warning and must have an incorrect date. Presumably I need to go to the dealer to put a correct date into the "bike". I'm very unimpressed by such a rubbish way of implementing a service warning indicator that means the whole thing goes awol if the battery is off for even 3 hours. Presumably in a few days it will think a service is overdue and give me a yellow triangle all the time. I wonder if there is anyway to get the dealer to disable the service indicator- maybe by putting in 100,000 miles to next service and a due date of the next millenium! Link to comment
bimmers Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 My cars tell me the next service is in 2010 or after xx000 miles. It does taht everytime I turn on the ignition. The newer bikes may do the same thing, Link to comment
Nice n Easy Rider Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Just disconnected the battery on my 08RT so I could recharge the battery. The manula says if I have it disconnected for a prolonged period the bike will "forget" the date and when I reconnect it the timed part of the service indication won't work as the bike won't know the date. The manual says have a dealer reset the date. Anyone any idea how I can reset the date or even how long a period can the battery be disconnected before the date is lost or even how do I tell if the date is right or not? Seems a pretty crap system if an owner can't disconnect the battery for a while during the winter - even the manual advises you should do this. I just did it as I use an old optimate charger as I didn't want to shell out BMW prices for a charger I'll only use once or twice a year. Beaky, Did you need to disconnect the battery to recharge it? I left my battery connected for two months (per dealer service manger's recommendation) while I had it on a Deltran Battery Tender Plus. Kept it charged fine and I didn't have any service indicator issues. I know you can't do anything about it now but was wondering why you felt you had to disconnect the battery. Link to comment
Beaky Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 I disconnected the battery to charge it as the manual suggests you do unless using the BMW charger. I have an old optimate2 charger and wasn't sure what the max voltage it can output so didn't want to risk it being connected to the bike electronics. I suspect that I was being unnecessarily cautious but it's what I used to do with my 04GS so didn't really anticipate any problems. Some of these fancy chargers can push out quite high voltages so I thought I was playing safe. It only affects the service due date so it's really just a nuisance that I can get fixed at the dealers when convenient but I can't help but think it's bad design. even the manual suggests disconnecting the battery if the bike is to be unused for a while, hardly a practical suggestion if you need to visit the dealer when you reconnect it! Link to comment
T__ Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Beaky, if your service date is really off then take it in under warranty,, just don’t mention the battery disconnection but tell them the date seems to be screwed up,, then suggest it might always have been like that so you really can’t say when it happened.. Twisty Link to comment
Beaky Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 I can see where you are coming frm twisty but I've a long history with the dealer who has always been straight with me so I'll just complain that the service data shouldn't be lost when I s=disconnect the battery and they'll fix it at the next service anyway (or when I get the time to ride over there earlier). I just think this service indicator is poorly implemented and I'm going to see if I can get it disabled or fooled into thinking the service isn't due for 10 years and 1 million miles! Link to comment
DualSporter Rich Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I was considering buying the Battery Tender as well, but I'm curious... is there some sort of adaptor that allows us to use the onboard outlets to charge the bike with it? Or, will I need to take the battery out to charge it with the Battery Tender? Any help would be appreciated... thanks! Link to comment
Dave_zoom_zoom Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hi compctdj GOOD NEWS- You don't remove the batt. for charging, but if you want to use a onboard outlet for charging, you do have to make a minor wiring modification. You can unplug the existing feed wires from behind the existing outlet. Now run new wires from the batt. to the outlet. Be sure to fuse the hot lead at the batt.(10 amp. should be fine,depending on wire size and loads you may want to use on this outlet) That will make the outlet hot at all times and good for a Batt. Tender. More Good News- There is a company that provides a kit to accomplish this.(although you can just do it yourself) Some Bad News- I can't rember who supplies the kit. Purhaps other good folks here may recall. I would highly reccomend the Batt. Tender "Plus" for your application. They work GREAT! I use them on my bikes, car, & diesel service truck (with 2 battries). Not only do they keep your battries up to max. but in doing so most extend batt. life. Happy Trails!!!!! Hope This helps you! Dave P. S. You can always use the aligator clips that come with your Batt. Tender Plus until you get around to making these changes. I was considering buying the Battery Tender as well, but I'm curious... is there some sort of adaptor that allows us to use the onboard outlets to charge the bike with it? Or, will I need to take the battery out to charge it with the Battery Tender? Any help would be appreciated... thanks! Link to comment
T__ Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I was considering buying the Battery Tender as well, but I'm curious... is there some sort of adaptor that allows us to use the onboard outlets to charge the bike with it? Or, will I need to take the battery out to charge it with the Battery Tender? Any help would be appreciated... thanks! compctdj, you can easily use the Battery Tender or Tender Jr. to charge your battery.. Probably the easiest way is just add the charger hook up pig tail directly to battery posts under the seat.. Then either pull the seat off to access the pigtail or just allow the pig tail to stick out from under the seat.. OK, now for using that.. The BMW operators manual & service manual specifically recommends you don’t (charge the battery while hooked up) I believe they are worried about 15+v voltage spikes.. That is the official & most correct way.. But an awful lot of us 1200 riders just charge the battery with it (the battery) still connected.. The Battery Tender & Tender Jr. are electronic & electronically regulated so have pretty good voltage & current control.. Personally I don’t worry about either unit harming my 1200RT’s electrical system but that is against BMW’s recommendations so only do so if YOU feel comfortable.. No way would I charge my 1200RT’s battery with an old analog trickle charger even if I did the battery disconnect so my guess is that why the warning in the BMW manual as they have no idea on what type of charger a person would hook to the bike.. Twisty Link to comment
db4124 Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I have been using a BatteryTender+ for several years plugged into the pigtail for my Gerbings gear attached directly to the battery. No problems at all. Dave Link to comment
DualSporter Rich Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Thanks Dave. I appreciate the info and I will look into it! Take Care, Link to comment
DualSporter Rich Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Thanks Twisty. I always know where to look for helpful info about my bike.! Take Care, Link to comment
questrider Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 More Good News- There is a company that provides a kit to accomplish this.(although you can just do it yourself) Powerlet http://www.powerletproducts.com/ This is what I used to replace the stock accessory socket on my GS that went through the CanBus. Basically I already owned the older-style Battery Tender for my oilhead RT so when I upgraded I didn't want to have to buy a new one. This works great. My bike is in the garage for the winter being tended and even through the -24° we went through last week the light is still green. Link to comment
DualSporter Rich Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I read somewhere in these forums about a battery maintainer at Wal-Mart that was the same as a Battery Tender . Only difference was that the maintainer at Wally World is only $20. It came with the appropriate pigtail connectors, so all I have to do now is take the seat off and plug it in while the battery is still hooked up and on-board. This battery maintainer is made for motorcycles, boats, and snowmobiles, and it seems to be working pretty well. Unfortunately, the battery that my bike came with was a 2-year-old gel type and it is weak. I just bought an AGM type from WestCo for $99 shipped. I got the battery here. The new battery should be more compatible with the charger that I'm using. Thanks again for all of your input. Link to comment
AZRTRDR Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I just ride mine. May dip into the 50's tonight. Just saying. Stay warm. Spring is just around the corner. Link to comment
elmer Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Does anyone know if the GS-911 will reset the service reminder and the date? I leave the battery connected and use a Ctek 3300 battery charger. I am happy with the charger and my dealer sez it is ok for my beemer. Link to comment
marcopolo Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Does anyone know if the GS-911 will reset the service reminder and the date? Last time I checked their website (six weeks ago, roughly), they said they were working on it. try their website for an update. Link to comment
DualSporter Rich Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 One small drawback to the battery I purchased... the posts are a bit low so the screw and nut that hold the battery leads in place cannot turn because they are too close to the battery itself. Fortunately the problem was corrected with just a bit of filing the post holes a bit bigger using a round file. Now it sits in there fine and seems to be working well ...just in case you're interested. Thanks again for all of the guidance and Happy Riding! Link to comment
David13 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Elmer. The GS 911 now will reset the date. I did that on mine last week, as my "SERVICE" reminder had been showing for some time. I do my own service. If disconnecting the battery lets the bike forget the date, then it can be reset with the GS 911 now. There may be other reasons to disconnect the battery than recharging it. If the 'service' reminder shows, and you have done the service, then, without the dealer, it can be turned off by disconnecting the battery, unless the service light still shows by default. dc Link to comment
DualSporter Rich Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS In case anyone is interested, the Westco battery I purchased was defective... in two ways: 1) The battery post holes were positioned too close to the battery, requiring a bit of modification to get the provided screws to fit in. There was a previous post about that. 2) Starter still seemed weak after taking a full charge. Took it to the BMW dealer, they ruled out a charging system problem, and said that the battery was only cranking at 65% of what it should be. Here's the good news... I called Westco and told about the problem. They were great. They offered to send me a new battery, free of charge, with no need to return the defective one. Although it is a hassle to put in another battery, I was very pleased with the way Westco handled it. I got the battery here. Link to comment
Alan D Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Looks like you have an R1150RT. You can plug directly into the power outlet. No tricks needed except the BMW plug. Link to comment
Switz Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 There is a product called the GS-911 (put that string into your browser search engine for more information) that will reset the date code as well as faults while you are beside the road immobilized! It will also provide other technical information. There are two models: one that is USB only and one with USB and bluetooth so it can talk to a bluetooth cell phone and display the information. It plugs into the interface port the dealers use to connect the BMW ET1 diagnostic tool. I carry mine on every ride as it can talk to any of my BMW bikes. Link to comment
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