Charging a gelcell battery on R1150R

Jay360 · Post by **Jay360** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 10:14 am

Any information on fast charging gelcell battery on 2004 R1150R? I have a battery tender charger, but I would like to start the motorcycle as soon as possible.

bakernks · Post by **bakernks** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 10:18 am

Iffy to fast charge that gel cell, IMHO. Why not jump start the bike using the new for 2004 starting studs supplied by BMW, and take a ride, just don't shut off for a half hour or so? The positive stud has the rubber cap marked positive, it's on the starter cover, the negative pole is near the left cylinder cam cover. BE SURE you have the polarity correct...

Acacia · Post by **Acacia** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 3:39 pm

Jay,
there were several posts on the old board. The standard Battery Tender is not suitable for charging the BMW gel cell. Battery Tender make a Special Charger for the gel cell - it is marked as such. I now hasve both Tenders as I had 00 R before my 04.

The BT is considerably cheaper than the BMW version for the gel cell.

Why is your battery dead in the 1st place? If there is some residual charge ( under 11.5 volts), but not enought to start - jump it or push start it. If the charge is way down - you need to find out why.

If just below power to start - take Bakernks advice

Jay360 · Post by **Jay360** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 4:05 pm

Starting studs supplied by BMW??? I have never heard of this. What is exactly is this product.

Jay360 · Post by **Jay360** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 4:07 pm

The battery went dead after I left the key on when I was at my brothers house for four hours.

Post by **Biff's R** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 7:45 pm

If you have a 2004, then there are two studs to hook onto and you can jump start the bike. I would think that everything would be okay, if you jumped the bike, or push started it, and then took a long ride.

I don't think that you would completely drain the battery in 4 hours, but I could be wrong.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 11:00 am

Hmmm.....I have used my battery tender junior to recharge the battery in my 04 r1150r with no problems.......tho the folks at battery tender were unable to tell me if it was okay or not....they said they didn't know. ..in any event bike sat for about 8 weeks in an unheated garage and it was COLD.....battery needed a charge.....I had the battery tender junior......just plugged her in and let it recharge ...........

madbinkster · Post by **madbinkster** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:28 am

acacia....I was under the impression that you shouldn't (or couldn't) push start our bikes..
no fuel pressure when battery is dead. clarification would be helpful.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:38 pm

I've got an '04. The studs sure are not "jumpin"" (pun intended) out at me. Anybody got a picture. Or could this have been a late '04 change?

priapismic · Post by **priapismic** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:30 pm

I think that was a "late" '04 model change. My "early" '04 was bought in March of '03, one of the first of the twin spark '04's, and I have no such charging studs on my bike. I have found, however, that I can charge my battery (with a trickle charger) by using my electric vest connection, I just connect the alligator clamps to the e-vest connector terminals.

Acacia · Post by **Acacia** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:29 am

You can jump start an R if there is enough residual battery to run the fuel pump and pressure the fuel injection, but not enough to turn the starter over.

Charge buttons on the newer R's - negative on the left head and positive on the side of the starter motor cover - cant miss them if your ride is fitted with them. Otherwise remove the seat and connect to the battery itself.

Cant remember the detail, but there is something in the construction of the BMW Cell that does not like the regular charge to sustaing charge cycle profiles of a standard charger. It probably will get you out of a bind, but is not recomended - particuarly if left on for extended periods.

Biff · Post by **Biff** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:53 am

My understanding on the Battery Tenders is that there is a difference in the rate of charge, and the charging cycle between the gel tender and the lead/acid/AGM tender. It is a programming thing in the Tenders. I would think that 1 charge would not do damage, but continual use of the "wrong" Tender may have some negative effects.

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:15 pm

http://www.roadgear.com makes a couple of battery tenders that supposedly rated for gel batteries AND come with the plug for BMW power plugs. At $49, it's not significantly cheaper than the BMW one, but it seems to be very small and light, not to mention there's a waterproof model.

Battery Advice Guy · Post by **Battery Advice Guy** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:57 pm

Battery Tender brand for Gel + BMW gel battery = good

Battery Tender Junior (old style) + BMW gel battery = okay (charge cycle is two stage and peak charge is sufficient for gel battery chemistry)

Battery Tender Plus (mid 2004 and earlier) + BMW gel battery = poor (will charge but will also damage battery chemistry - not fatal but serious)

Post by **tipstall** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:10 am

Being new to not having a kickstarter I have a question. Do most people use a battery tender? When I picked the bike up I was told the BMW computer is on when the bike is off and will drain the battery. Is this true? How long will the battery last and still be able to start the bike?

Below is the BMW battery tender. Is there a good place to order this online as I don't have a shop close?

Battery Tender Generation II Part number: 99990005656

Acacia · Post by **Acacia** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:09 pm

The clock is also running.

Cant answer the other electrical drain questions - but several weeks or more should be fine with a battery in good condition - also temp affects cranking capacity.

How long and where are you going to store it/not use the bike for?

I got my 'tender' for the gel directly from them - they were cheapest at the time - also call them

Kevin50r · Post by **Kevin50r** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:20 pm

I have a 2002 and if I turn the handle bars just right I can see a "stud" in the mirrors.

I checked the manual and the 2002 doesn't have this feature but every time I look there he is?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:59 pm

I have an earlier '04 without the jump starting studs. Has anyone retrofitted this feature to a bike that didn't come with it? If so, how much were the parts?

Thanks,

--Phil
2004 R1150R Titan Silver

vintagecycle · Post by **vintagecycle** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:26 pm

This topic has come up before. I remember reading that the altenator on the bikes did not change when the they started using gel cells. So, how would the altenator know the difference in charging cycles?
I have used my standard BT on my gel cell with no problems.

dallara · Post by **dallara** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:07 pm

I use one of these little gems to keep the Odyssey PC680 battery in my Beemer charged up:

http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=VDC-12112

Rigged up a powerlet plug adapter and simply plug it in the Beemer accessory socket. Never had a problem. I stick it on overnight about once a week if I'm not riding the bike.

Now, my understanding is that you want to "fast charge" gel cells of the size in the Beemers at about 6 amps or so. Still would take a bit of time to get one charged if it is fully drained...

Cheers!

Dallara

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