Battery charging help

[dasher]

Question on the BMW AGM charger (for my 2005 R12GS): Every time I plug it in, and leave it charging overnight, when I check it in the morning it is back to the "1/3" light. It does seem to go through the charging cycle, but then reverts to the 1/3, as if it is starting again.
Reading in several places and the instructions, I feel it should read "3/3" and go to trickle charging.
Do you think I might have a damaged unit? Am I doing anything wrong?
BTW: I turn ON the key at the master switch, THEN plug the charger into the main accessory socket, THEN plug the charger into the wall, THEN turn OFF the key. I believe this is correct as per several web sites.
Other than a Starcom1 Advance intercom, the electrical system on the bike (non ABS version) is standard.
I am worried I am not doing anything to the battery. I have had the bike for about 1.5 years, and maybe used this charger twice...
Thanks!

[sfarson]

dasher... You're OK. I have several Canbus BMW bikes. Have a bike where it stays green or "3/3" as one would expect, but also have others doing as yours does. It cycles through, pauses or stays at "3/3" for awhile, then cycles through again. Repeating the scenario until I go ride. The battery is charged and fresh. I've tried different BMW AGM chargers, different bikes, and there is no consistency. Not confident inspiring, I know, but after two years of Canbus bikes with the new BMW AGM chargers, the batteries are charging/charged despite the cycling of lights.

FWIW, I found no consistency with turning the key on or not. No effect with the different bikes. For some it works, for others, no diff. After all this, I keep it simple. Plug in the charger to the bike, then plug it into the wall, and don't worry about the status of the lights.

[stevef]

Ok, I just brought home a new '07 R12GS and I have the appropriate charger. I hook it up as per the instructions, same as dasher. My problem is that after approx. 60 seconds, I can hear a relay (open/close?), and the light goes to error. I brought the charger back to the dealer and they tested it on one of the new bikes in the showroom and it worked fine. The bike seems to run fine and starts up okay. Any ideas?

[gavin]

Originally Posted by sfarson

FWIW, I found no consistency with turning the key on or not. No effect with the different bikes. For some it works, for others, no diff. After all this, I keep it simple. Plug in the charger to the bike, then plug it into the wall, and don't worry about the status of the lights.

Same here, i can plug the (BMW) charger in to the bike, without using the sequence stated in the manual, and it works!, even after the bike has been left for days without use, no switching on the ign, just plug in and leave it, weird. Anyway, i still added an extra socket on the beak, wired direct to the battery, and use that method now.

[dasher]

Thanks. Although it's not exactly reassuring, at least I know others have the same issues.
My next question would then be, how can I test that the battery is actually charged/charging?
I am no electrical engineer (but you knew that already), so I am guessing I pop over to the nearest Sears home center, buy some sort of electrical diagnostic tool, the ones that come with two metal prong thingies, and poke the prongs... somewhere. Then it will tell me how much charge is in the battery, probably in Volts.
So:
1. What tool, what is it called, is it readily available everywhere they sell tools (such as a Sears)?
2. Where to poke the metal probe thingies, and when (key on? key off? before charging? during? after?)
3. What readings would be normal.

Sorry to be so darned ignorant about things electrical.

On the PLUS side, I am currently living in Puerto Rico, where I brought my GS. Should your travels ever bring you down here (lots of conventions come here), look me up. There are hundreds of back roads, very nice mountains, little traffic up there and great views. Probably could hook you up with a bike (they rent Ducatis here and a BMW dealer just opened up, finally!) and take you around. Much better than hanging out at some beach!
Thanks,
davidashe@bellsouth.net

[gavin]

Originally Posted by dasher

Thanks. Although it's not exactly reassuring, at least I know others have the same issues.
My next question would then be, how can I test that the battery is actually charged/charging?
I am no electrical engineer (but you knew that already), so I am guessing I pop over to the nearest Sears home center, buy some sort of electrical diagnostic tool, the ones that come with two metal prong thingies, and poke the prongs... somewhere. Then it will tell me how much charge is in the battery, probably in Volts.
So:
1. What tool, what is it called, is it readily available everywhere they sell tools (such as a Sears)?
2. Where to poke the metal probe thingies, and when (key on? key off? before charging? during? after?)
3. What readings would be normal.

Sorry to be so darned ignorant about things electrical.

davidashe@bellsouth.net

Get a digital multimeter, switch to 'DC Volts', red lead to 'V' on meter, black lead to 'COM' on meter. At the battery, red probe to POS +, black lead to NEG-. Plug the charger into the bike and observe the reading, it should increase to around 13-14.5 volts, that shows the battery is charging.

[dasher]

Originally Posted by gavin

Get a digital multimeter, switch to 'DC Volts', red lead to 'V' on meter, black lead to 'COM' on meter. At the battery, red probe to POS +, black lead to NEG-. Plug the charger into the bike and observe the reading, it should increase to around 13-14.5 volts, that shows the battery is charging.

Will do. Thank you!
DA

[WOJO]

I've been having some problems with my battery maintaining a charge so I figured it was time for a new battery (battery production date 04/12/05). I checked the battery with a load tester and it checked out good??????????? I know the bikes charging system is working fine because I installed a voltmeter and it's always reading 14.1, 14.2 etc. I took the battery down to the local BMW dealer just to have him recheck it and he also said it was OK. Then he asked me what type charger I was using, I told him it was the factory recommended BMW, AGM charger, he said another customer was having the same problem with his battery not maintaining a charge and it wasn't the battery it was the charger.
I would check the charger and it would indicate the battery was fully charged and an hour later I'd check it again and it would be back to 1/3 charge!!!!!!!!!
I run lots of equipment on my bike and I can't take a chance of breaking down so I order a SVR-14 battery and a Westco battery charger with the quick disconnect wired directly to the battery, eliminating the use of the accessory port.
SVR batteries are American batteries, made in Pennsylvania, maybe it's time to put some American ingenuity in our fine German touring machines.........

wojo