Charging the battery

[BER18 100]

As soon as I got the R18 I bought an "Optimate4" and use it intermittently.




Then yesterday I found this pigtail that had been wired to the inside frame. I have a Deltran battery tender that can use these pigtails. Is the Optimate 4 a better quality product than the Deltran?

 

[emgarciax]

Stick with the Optimate in CANBUS mode.

 

[Petrus]

With a generic charger one can use the jump start terminals.

 

[Mr. Efficiency]

I don‘t know; honestly I have owned a few CANBUS Beemers and have had terrible luck with the fancy chargers. I attach a pigtail directly to the battery and use a simple battery tender. I am critical when necessary but I will give the R18 battery props. It has lasted me 4 years and my batteries never last 4 years . I don‘t run accessories on my R18; I just use the dongle directly off the battery to use my heated gear… I don‘t believe the electrics will support heated gear as accessory. IMHO direct to the battery gives you a better chance of your tender working best for the battery and not making a mess with your electrics but your mileage may vary

 

[emgarciax]

To each its own. I've use the very same Optimate 4 on my last 4 BMW bikes and never had an issue. All batteries lasted > 3 years.
But yes, mileage varies.

 

[Hammo]

Optimate 4 without a doubt .

 

[Petrus]

The long and short of it is use whatever you have.
Canbus in the onboard socket, nobus on the jump start terminals.