Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => Accessories, Farkels and Mods => Topic started by: Mogster on October 24, 2011, 04:24:39 PM

Title: Battery charging
Post by: Mogster on October 24, 2011, 04:24:39 PM
I've just got an Oxford Oximiser battery charger thingy, now the Bandit and the Tuono were a doddle to add the permenant leads...the battery being in the normal place.

now my question is, can you attach the GTR to the charger via the accessory power socket (2011 model) Oxford do list the ' cigerette lighter type' plug as an option ...  have asked a couple of kawasaki dealers and have had the usual answer...
'just cos we're a dealer don't mean we know anything about kawasaki's'  >:(

thanks... mogs
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: keith on October 24, 2011, 04:50:07 PM
i have already asked this question and as the auxillary socket is switched ,no you cant do it,i found the easiest way was to remove the battery cover,as the positive lead is right in front of you secure your positive lead,then to the right side of that you will see the black cable which is the negative/ground bolt .just connect your negative to that saves disturbing the battery,then trace your connector cable out.this works for me cheers.
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: Mogster on October 24, 2011, 05:18:50 PM
Many thanks for that!!  :)
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: Rusty on October 25, 2011, 08:19:47 PM
Sorry Keith, but I am an oaf when it comes to wiring etc ... the dealer " switched  " my 2011 socket around so it would take the charger when it was in for the last service .... charging now as a matter of fact  ;D
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: Lonewolf on October 26, 2011, 12:50:26 AM
Rusty do you know how the dealer did this, is it a big job?
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: simbad on October 26, 2011, 09:38:23 AM
Quote from: Lonewolf on October 26, 2011, 12:50:26 AM
Rusty do you know how the dealer did this, is it a big job?

Be interested in how that was done ... Could use an an accessory socket that was live and not switched.
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: Lonewolf on October 26, 2011, 11:02:59 AM
Have to agree, I think I'd be more inclined to use the Optimate if I could connect it this simply. 
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: BigAlan on October 26, 2011, 11:43:36 AM
I have to agree as well, if the socket could be used to both charge the bike and also run say a sat nav on the bars then what a bonus that would be.

Alan
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: mecki on October 26, 2011, 11:57:43 AM
I don't think that's a good idea at all.
My sat nav (Zumo 550) switches itself off 1 minute after I turn the ignition off to preserve it's own battery.
If it would run on an un-switched socket it wouldn't do that and drain the bike's battery if you don't turn it off seperately.
If you really want a socket for trickle charging it should only be used for that purpose and nothing else.
It really shouldn't be that hard to connect another socket directly to the battery.
Best to put it under the seat so you have to take the seat off to connect your battery charger and are not tempted to connect an accessory you may forget to turn off and find your battery flat the next day.
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: Rusty on October 26, 2011, 10:49:20 PM
Ok Chaps ....... New bike, 11 plate, purchased "Optimate" jack plug shoved it in when bike on centre stand with everything " off  " .... nothing happened, though if I put the ignition on it would work .... Thought the jack plug was faulty took it back to dealer/shop where the main man told me that the socket on the bike is made and transported in the safe mode of not being wired up ... I have no idea why etc ... but when in for service they were easily able to reverse this and make the socket " live " so that the bike could be charged as and when I wanted ... sorry to you able DIY chaps but I have no idea how this was done only that it was a simple job and didn't even charge me for it ... so in my view it must have been quick to do !
The Zumo wiring was done separately and on this I agree with Mecki .... I think the Sat Nav wiring and power should come from the bike itself and be seperate if only to stop everything going flat if you ever forgot to take the unit off etc .... hope this helps  ;D
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: GTRTONY on October 27, 2011, 04:02:12 PM
i have just fitted my battery with a connection lead to connect my trickle charger (i have used one as sometimes the bike can be laid up for a few weeks and apparently trickle charging does maintain the life)
i have also purchased a cig lighter socket to connect to this and through this lighter socket i can either run my trickle charger or add a temp accessory if needed directly from the battery. links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002GDY2OY
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001O1WOOY

seems to work ok

tony
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: keith on October 27, 2011, 08:03:05 PM
hi did you connect the socket direct to the battery,does it have an inline fuse from the positive lead,were did you fit the socket on the bike once you had sorted the two wires  cheers keith any chance of a couple of pic's thanks.
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: wiltsguy on October 27, 2011, 08:23:13 PM
Keith - I did exactly what you suggested , Thanks !!
My only problem was tracing the lead out.   Finally occured to me to leave the Optimate connection behind the refitted body panel . This means I have to remove the panel (one screw) to access the lead , moments work , to connect the charger.
The bike gets used year round so I'm hoping the need to trickle charge is very occasional.
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: patrick on October 28, 2011, 09:27:01 PM
I've not had my optimate hooked up since spring, but as I've an early start tommorw i've reconnected it this week!

(got to keep the battery ready fo rthe flashing lights!)    ;D
Title: Re: Battery charging
Post by: Lonewolf on October 28, 2011, 09:51:26 PM
 :o Don't mention the lights!! ;)