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How do I disconnect the battery for the winter?
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:28 pm
by Marku
I looked in the manual and I didn't see a quick/easy way to disconnect the battery. Is the only way to do it is to go through all those steps? Or is it easier than it looks?
Also, am I right to think just disconnecting it is not enough. Should the battery charge the whole winter?
I have a trickle charger but nowhere to plug it in.
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:27 pm
by Biff's R
I ride most of the winter, but when not riding I use the Battery Tender.
depends on the ambient temperature
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:18 pm
by daveysew
Depending on how cold it gets where you store your bike you don't need to take the battery out. If it's near freezing, but not frequently or far below just leave the battery in the bike with the tender hooked up to it. Make sure you get the battery out if it's getting really cold or consistently staying below freezing as the gel can freeze, crack the battery case, and ooze all over your bike (can possibly ruin it).
dave
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:27 am
by MikeCam
And to answer your question - the only access for the battery is what the manual shows - remove the oil coolers, air snorkle and gas tank. Unfortunately, no, it is not easier than it looks. But it's not too bad.
Finally, disconnecting is not enough. Best case is to leave it installed, hooked to battery tender at least once every month for several days. If, as stated above, temps drop below freezing and stay there - inside storage or daily rides are mandated.
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 6:21 am
by single650
You can connect the trickle charger through the accessory socket, saves disconnecting anything
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:05 am
by Ves
Just a reminder. If you have a genuine BMW battery still in the bike you can't use just any Battery Tender on it. Search the board for that information. You either have to use a genuine BMW trickle charger, a certain model of Battery Tender, or the Battery Tender Jr... from my research.
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 6:21 pm
by r1150rr
I purchased a BMW charger and an accessory socket. Work great, you dont have to remove anything.
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:17 pm
by Marku
Thanks for all the replies.
It doesn't get to cold here typically. I think last winter we had a cold snap for about a week of -20º C. Typically it's around -5 to -10º C.
Hmm, maybe I can work out some kind of an agreement with my Landlord.