New c650 charging thru socket problem

[Douglas Blume]

New scooter GREAT so far. Trying to charge thru on Board socket & tail light stays on and periodically parking light and dash light up too, after a minute they turn off, but taillight stays on while charger is hooked up. BMW service has no clue! Advice? Hesitant to open up battery compartment to try installing harness.Doug

 

[TwoPort]

Don't know about the unusual voltage routing to the tail light. However, I think you'll be surprised how easy it is to get to the battery and install a harness. The only thing to be careful about is unsnapping and re-snapping the giant plastic piece after the screws are removed but once you understand whats up it is a snap. (pun intended) A couple zip ties and you'll get the harness exactly where you want it.

 

[toomuchvinyl]

I was fortunate that my 2015 GT had a harness already installed on it but I wasn't aware of it initially and tried to charge through the accessory socket. It ignored the charger completely if the key was in the "off" position. I tried the dealer's suggestion of turning the key to "on" and inserting the adapter. This made lights come on and the dash display lit up with it's self-check screen. I don't think my battery tender still recognized that it was connected. Once I found the installed harness all is well. Owners of earlier models have said that they charge through the socket with no problems but that had to have been changed on the CANBus system by 2015 at the latest. Does your charger indicate that it is connected and charging?

 

[JaimeC]

I'm glad I don't have that nonsense to deal with in my 2013 C650GT. It really does seem BMW is going out of their way to make the simplest tasks as complex as possible. On my 2013, the accessory socket in the left glove box, and the optional accessory socket on the handlebar are wired directly to the battery and always "hot."

Simple task of plugging a normal Deltran Battery Tender into the handlebar socket to keep the battery charged. I've also stored my cellphone in the glovebox plugged into a USB charger overnight on camping trips so the phone is fully charged in the morning.

 

[Twospoiltcats]

OK, I think I'm hearing that the accessory plug in the left glove box on a 2017 GT will not be 'hot' when the ignition is off. Do BMW offer an OEM plug to attach to a battery charger, or do I just buy an after-market one?
The guy who posted that BMW make simple things difficult isn't wrong - my last bike (an MV Agusta) came with an MV battery charger and a connector under the seat.

 

[hshawarby]

Agree with TwoPort. A harness directly connected to the battery is the best way to go. Only be aware that if you disconnect the battery you will need to go to the service center to recalibrate the windshield.


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[bicyclenut]

I have a 2014 and I have disconnected the battery several times to do work and I have never had to recalibrate the windscreen. It's always been in the down position when I have done so and that might make a difference possibly. Maybe I have just been lucky so far.

Agree with TwoPort. A harness directly connected to the battery is the best way to go. Only be aware that if you disconnect the battery you will need to go to the service center to recalibrate the windshield.


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[bicyclenut]

OK, I think I'm hearing that the accessory plug in the left glove box on a 2017 GT will not be 'hot' when the ignition is off. Do BMW offer an OEM plug to attach to a battery charger, or do I just buy an after-market one?
The guy who posted that BMW make simple things difficult isn't wrong - my last bike (an MV Agusta) came with an MV battery charger and a connector under the seat.

Just buy a Battery Tender or Battery Tender Jr. and it may come with an SAE plug (pictured, I think this is what they call it) and wire it direct to Battery. Mine was installed by dealer and runs under fender and tucks up on side when not in use. I will probably add a second and drill a small hole and put in right glove box and then can more easily get to and can find plugs that can use this connector to plug USB for charging or possible heated gear.

I know a guy that bought a Harley version of on of these chargers for his bike and it wasn't made as well as the Battery Tender and cost 2x the price to do the same thing. I am sure the BMW version would be 2-3x the price and nothing more that the non-OEM chargers.

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