2012 R1200GS - Battery Charging

mtntrails · 01-08-2013, 01:55 PM

Howdy folks. It's good to be back in the GSpot. I haven't had a BMW for a few years.

I just picked up a new Triple Black 2012 R1200GS. There is a Gerbings plug wired directly to the battery. Using an adaptor, is it OK to use a standard Battery Tender on this bike or do I need to buy the BMW charger that goes in to factory pigtail with the LED flashies on it? I use the Gerbings plugs with an adaptor to hook up Battery Tenders on all of my other bikes with no issues.

Thanks in advance.

SourKraut · 01-08-2013, 02:01 PM

That will work fine. I put the powerlet socket wired directly to the battery in place of the factory bmw socket on mine.

It is just a regular 12V battery.

mtntrails · 01-09-2013, 01:24 AM

Thanks SourKraut - much appreciated!

onesaintsfan · 01-09-2013, 02:46 AM

will say different. Says Can-Bus can get fried. Dealer will say

everycredit · 01-09-2013, 03:29 AM

Also, BMW uses state-of-the-art technology in terms of electrical circuits being tri-phased. Meaning, the circuit has a positive, neutral, and negative (ground). A BMW tender is required as a regular DC circuit battery tender will void your warranty and melt your electronics.

freyke · 01-09-2013, 03:41 AM

I have used a basic battery tender directly connected to my battery on my 2011 R1200GS (18,000 Miles) since I bought the bike new in Nov of 2011. NO issues. Here is the one I have.

freyke · 01-09-2013, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everycredit

Also, BMW uses state-of-the-art technology in terms of electrical circuits being tri-phased. Meaning, the circuit has a positive, neutral, and negative (ground). A BMW tender is required as a regular DC circuit battery tender will void your warranty and melt your electronics.

Not to be a jerk, but what you're decribing is applicable to AC thoery? It seems you're really only decribing a single phase of which would require a HOT, NEUTRAL (AKA return) and GROUND (AKA Safety Ground). Typically most AC houseold systems are two phase "Y" Alternating Current.

The Battery is 12VDC - no phase is applicable. Just Positive and Negative (ground).

Regards,
Kevin

marty hill · 01-09-2013, 03:54 AM

I have a battery tender wired direct to the battery. Have done this on every year 12GS since they came out in '04. Anyone who says this isn't possible or is incorrect is WRONG!

JimVonBaden · 01-09-2013, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty hill

I have a battery tender wired direct to the battery. Have done this on every year 12GS since they came out in '04. Anyone who says this isn't possible or is incorrect is WRONG!

So long as you run the tender directly to the battery there is no risk to the BMW electronics!

No need for the BMW tender either. IMHO put the Battery Tender on the bike over night once a week and you are done. If you ride more than an hour straight, and do not do a lot of short trips all the time, a tender is not necessary.

Jim

def · 01-09-2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freyke

Typically most AC houseold systems are two phase "Y" Alternating Current.

Regards,
Kevin

That would be single phase and there is no delta Y involved.

BeachMoto · 01-09-2013, 06:43 PM

I have been using an older BMW charger (not the CANBUS type, I think it was around $40 or so when I bought it) connected to a SAE pigtail wired directly to the battery for over three years on my '09 GS. Zero issues. I plug my heated jacket liner to the same pigtail (no, not at the same time

)

mtntrails · 01-10-2013, 02:58 AM

Thanks guys! I appreciate the input.

freyke · 01-10-2013, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by def

That would be single phase and there is no delta Y involved.

If you're takling DC you are correct, there is no phase involved.

Most homes in the US are 110VAC 2 Phase "Y" 60Hz referenced to ground (208VAC referenced between phases) 150-200AMP service.

Most commercial applications in the US are 110VAC 3 Phase "Y" (208VAC referenced between phases ) 200AMP + service.

Ships (US) and mobile AC platforms are 3 Phase 110VAC "D" 60Hz Referenced between pahaes (AKA floating ground) (220VAC volts is stepped up via transformer).

R,
Kevin

SourKraut · 01-10-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtntrails

Thanks guys! I appreciate the input.

I tried to head off the controversy in post #2 but every time this question gets posted it turns into advanced electrical theory and charging algorithm nonsense.

It is just a 12V battery people!

BeachMoto · 01-10-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SourKraut

I tried to head off the controversy in post #2 but every time this question gets posted it turns into advanced electrical theory and charging algorithm nonsense.

It is just a 12V battery people!

How else are we going to get our post count up :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-08-2013, 01:55 PM	#1
mtntrails ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Mount Airy, MD Oddometer: 317	2012 R1200GS - Battery Charging Howdy folks. It's good to be back in the GSpot. I haven't had a BMW for a few years. I just picked up a new Triple Black 2012 R1200GS. There is a Gerbings plug wired directly to the battery. Using an adaptor, is it OK to use a standard Battery Tender on this bike or do I need to buy the BMW charger that goes in to factory pigtail with the LED flashies on it? I use the Gerbings plugs with an adaptor to hook up Battery Tenders on all of my other bikes with no issues. Thanks in advance.

01-09-2013, 02:46 AM	#4
onesaintsfan BigJohnHart Joined: Nov 2005 Location: McComb MS, where men are men and sheep are nervous Oddometer: 1,189	Dealer will say different. Says Can-Bus can get fried. Dealer will say __________________ John Hart McComb MS 2009 Triumph Speed Triple "the mistress" 2008 BMW R1200GSA-" the wife" 2005 Chaparral 210ssi " Native Sun II " " Damn a motorcycle, if somone would buy this thing I would take the bus home "

01-09-2013, 03:54 AM	#8
marty hill The Energizer Bunny Joined: Nov 2003 Location: marietta, ga. Oddometer: 3,795	I have a battery tender wired direct to the battery. Have done this on every year 12GS since they came out in '04. Anyone who says this isn't possible or is incorrect is WRONG! __________________ ride till you can't. 1200GS black Cagiva Gran Canyon Italiano/rosso

01-09-2013, 06:43 PM	#11
BeachMoto Studly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Va. Beach Oddometer: 588	I have been using an older BMW charger (not the CANBUS type, I think it was around $40 or so when I bought it) connected to a SAE pigtail wired directly to the battery for over three years on my '09 GS. Zero issues. I plug my heated jacket liner to the same pigtail (no, not at the same time ) __________________ 1970 Honda SL100 (my 1st bike in 1972) 1972 Yamaha Enduro 360 (loved this bike) 1977 Yamaha RD 250 1978 Suzuki 250TS 1982 Kawasaki GPZ 550 2007 BMW F800ST 2009 BMW R1200GS (Current)

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01-08-2013, 02:01 PM	#2
SourKraut Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2004 Location: New England Oddometer: 6,261	That will work fine. I put the powerlet socket wired directly to the battery in place of the factory bmw socket on mine. It is just a regular 12V battery.

01-09-2013, 01:24 AM	#3
mtntrails ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Mount Airy, MD Oddometer: 317	Thanks SourKraut - much appreciated!

01-09-2013, 03:29 AM	#5
everycredit Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2012 Location: Tacoma Oddometer: 267	Also, BMW uses state-of-the-art technology in terms of electrical circuits being tri-phased. Meaning, the circuit has a positive, neutral, and negative (ground). A BMW tender is required as a regular DC circuit battery tender will void your warranty and melt your electronics.

01-09-2013, 03:41 AM	#6
freyke Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Oddometer: 329	I have used a basic battery tender directly connected to my battery on my 2011 R1200GS (18,000 Miles) since I bought the bike new in Nov of 2011. NO issues. Here is the one I have.

01-10-2013, 02:58 AM	#12
mtntrails ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Mount Airy, MD Oddometer: 317	Thanks guys! I appreciate the input.