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Hi Folks

Was wondering if anyone could provide some advice re simplifying the proceedure for charging up the battery.

I hav'nt been able to use my bike for a couple of months and decided to charge up the battery. Christ what a total upheaval getting to the battery is on this model. Anyhow, I've got all the body parts off and lifted the tank to take the battery out. I disconnected negative first and taped over the terminals so they will not come into contact with the frame. The previous owner has fitted a Odysey gel battery so that's good news but I don't want to have to go through all that dismantling work should it be necessary to charge the battery in future. I recently purchased an Optimum 3 charger and the kit includes an adapter which could be permanently attached to the battery and all one would have to do is attach the charger to the socket as and when necessary without having to get to the battery itself. Would periodic charging in this way be ok or is there a better adapter/socket I could buy and fit whilst the battery is out of the bike and accessible ?

Hello Scott

I think most people fit the accessory socket and just conect the charger through that, that's certainly what I've done. However attaching your adpator and just leaving it under the seat should also be fine. If it's an Odessey then it won't need charging that often, though if you've got the bike in the garage and a socket nearby, I'd just lift the seat and connect the charger when not using the bike for more than 3/4 weeks.

HTH

Toodle pip

I agree with the above. I have fitted an accessory socket to the wifes bike (mine had one from new), and just plug in the optimate now and then. I think that the socket was around £15 from the dealer.

Thanks. Is the accessory socket something that's made by BMW and where would the plug be located ie on the dash consul ? Do you think it's much better than just having the Optimate adapter under the seat ?

Scott - the accessory socket's on the normal BMW parts list and is mounted on the lower* rear (nearside) subframe mounting bolt. It just plugs into the socket on the loom under the seat.

*It's better to mount it on the higher mounting bolt though as the socket then doesn't fill with water

You also get a charging socket with the Optimate.

Thanks all. That's been very helpful.

Gromit wrote:Scott - the accessory socket's on the normal BMW parts list and is mounted on the lower* rear (nearside) subframe mounting bolt. It just plugs into the socket on the loom under the seat.

*It's better to mount it on the higher mounting bolt though as the socket then doesn't fill with water

FWIW, it's better to completely relocate the thing as far away from the wheels as humanly possible. I got fed up pulling the thing apart to scrape off corrosion so it'd actually work, until it failed altogether. The repaired socket I relocated to the handbar, and it hasn't given me a problem since.
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Rob.

Niether of ours have given any problems, but there again the ride out today was a very hot and sunny 35C - as per normal.

Thanks again for all the info. I think I'm going to save a few pounds and fit the Optimate attachment and just place the socket under the seat which is quick to remove.

I have the Optimate attachment, but I routed it so that I dont need to remove the seat to connect it, by routing it down the right hand side so that the connection end dangles freely just below the rhs throttle body. I have it connected permanantly when parked up in the garage(which is unfortunatley more than I would like) and have never had starting /battery probs (thats put the kiss of death on it) with the orig battery fited on my 02 16k bike.

Steve

Mine is through the hole in the side panel just below the seat.

Works well and is out of the weather.

Cheers

Alan