PROBLEM STARTING BMW

justhedog · 07-09-2009 8:23pm #1

Hi , I have returned to biking after many years. Got myself a bmw k1200lt. Due to the weather and work pressures I am not getting out on it as often as I would like. Twice now I have had to put a charge on the battery ( brand new) to start her. Is this common with grand tourers, it is in a garage when not in use. Is there any way of stoping the lights coming on before starting as I feel this is putting pressure on the battery. Is there a jump-start device that can be plugged in to the mains to start the bike in low battery situations.

Dorsanty · 07-09-2009 9:35pm

I assume you have an alarm on it, which would be draining the battery?

Some alarms have winter/holiday mode which reduces the battery power consumption, but effectively only leaves you with an alarm only if the key is used.

I've gone 2 weeks with the alarm fully on so far without needing the charger but I don't think I'd get more then that. I did once drain my battery in 1 night when messing with my alarm settings. It did say though to unplug the headlight fuse before starting :rolleyes:

If you have access to the fuses you can pull the headlight fuse in order to try to start her up when you know it's been a while.

Your best bet is to regularly maintain your battery. Maybe ensuring it gets a full charge cycle every weekend or something similar. I've got one of these http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010003.htm

Krusty_Clown · 07-09-2009 10:02pm

What ^Dorsanty^ said, but I also had similar problems with the factory battery on my GS. Battery was constantly down (most likely due to the alarm). Got tired of it eventually, and replaced the battery with an Odyssey battery, and I have never had a single problem since.

hobochris · 08-09-2009 10:48am

It could also be that the battery's not getting proper charge when the engines running, leaving the electrics to drain the battery. I'd get a voltmeter and check your battery and make sure its getting enough charge from the alternator.

The Doktor · 08-09-2009 12:36pm

Just get an Optimate like above. It comes with a connector that you leave on the battery permanently (leave it under the saddle or somthing). When you park up just plug it in, and leave it. Will always start then.

The Optimate is designed to leave on the battery for long periods.

galwaytt · 08-09-2009 1:29pm

If it's left for long periods, the battery will not last, so, as mentioned, get a floating charger for it - Optimate or similar.

+1 on the Odyssey battery - even if that does go down, it's good for recovering.

With regard to the K's - if the engine does not exceed a certain rpm under cranking, the engine won't fire - it's part of the ECU's programme, iirc. That's why battery condition is so important.

As for the lights on thing, well, the K should have a load-shedding relay, so if you look, you'll find that the lights come on with ignition, but as soon as you hit the starter button, they cut out. This is a std German practice for yonks (23yrs in the case of K's !! )

justhedog · 08-09-2009 2:53pm

galwaytt wrote: »

If it's left for long periods, the battery will not last, so, as mentioned, get a floating charger for it - Optimate or similar.

+1 on the Odyssey battery - even if that does go down, it's good for recovering.

With regard to the K's - if the engine does not exceed a certain rpm under cranking, the engine won't fire - it's part of the ECU's programme, iirc. That's why battery condition is so important.

As for the lights on thing, well, the K should have a load-shedding relay, so if you look, you'll find that the lights come on with ignition, but as soon as you hit the starter button, they cut out. This is a std German practice for yonks (23yrs in the case of K's !! )

Thank s for the info guys, I take it that it is not necessary to disconect the bike leads from the batt. when using the Optimate. Is there a device for jump-starting from mains electric.

justhedog · 08-09-2009 3:29pm

Saw jump leads for sale at $20 on www.bikersden.com . Are these available in Ireland or the UK.:):):)

seanybiker · 08-09-2009 7:46pm

ya could unplug the coffee maker from the bike. Haw haw haw

justhedog · 08-09-2009 9:16pm

seanybiker wrote: »

ya could unplug the coffee maker from the bike. Haw haw haw

NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT SEANYBIKER, gob****e:cool::cool::cool:

KamiKazi · 08-09-2009 9:37pm

seanybiker wrote: »

ya could unplug the coffee maker from the bike. Haw haw haw

lmao :pac:

galwaytt · 08-09-2009 9:57pm

justhedog wrote: »

Thank s for the info guys, I take it that it is not necessary to disconect the bike leads from the batt. when using the Optimate. Is there a device for jump-starting from mains electric.

The BeeEmm has a charging socket on it as standard, no need to disturb anything. If the charger you use doesn't have the BeeEmm plug, just change the plug. 5 min job.

No need to move the coffee machine...;) ...they're just jealous....:p

Dutch_Druid · 09-09-2009 3:08am

EDIT

PROBLEM: OWNING BMW

:D:D

RasTa · 09-09-2009 9:17am

Just a quick question do I need a multimeter or voltmeter to check the rec/reg and how do I check the thing? Not sure if the battery is ****ed or the other.

seanybiker · 12-09-2009 4:39am

get a metre thingme bob and check the battery. Then will know.

naulpolan · 30-09-2009 9:33pm

Had the same problems with my GS and sorted it with the Oddessy battery (from Nippy Normans) I also invested in an Optimate and plug it in regularly through the aux power socket.

The best bit about owning a BM is the anxious few seconds just before she starts:o I love it!!!!!!

PROBLEM STARTING BMW

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