Does the C 400 GT come with a battery tender/charger pigtail?
- Thread starter rodent64
- Start date
wspollack
Active member
My dealer (Max BMW, various locations) did, so it's not a factory thing.
I think a lot of dealers do this as a two-fer: potentially please the customer, and provide the dealerships a way to use smart-chargers to top-off the batteries periodically of the stock that's sitting around.
I'm like you, in that I add outlets. For the past, oh, maybe 15 years, I've been adding spring-loaded, rainproof, Powerlet (aka BMW/DIN/Hella) outlets to bikes. I do this for smart-charging, heated-gear power, and emergency air-compressor power. I find Powerlet outlets much more convenient -- one-handed and quicker -- than SAE plugs, and equally robust, so that's the way I go.
I typically plug in a bike every time I park it in my garage, not just off-season, so convenience is important for me. I have two smart-chargers mounted on the walls of my garage to facilitate this.
My write-up -- pics, explanatory captions, and links -- detailing this addition last year, shortly after getting the scoot, starts with this pic/caption in my C 400 GT gallery ...
2022 BMW C 400 GT
billanddot.com
... and continues for the next 15 images, ending with this pic:
So, this might be something to give you some ideas, or maybe not. (BTW, the dealer-installed SAE connector was pointed out to me when I took delivery in June 2022. It's tucked away somewhere, but the exact location escapes me, as I've never used it.)
wspollack
Active member
You may be right about this.
Me, I wanted to eliminate any confusion. Plus, of course, I prefer my location for heated gear and ease of plugging and unplugging for routine smart-charging.
The confusion -- at least for me -- comes into play with the bike's needing to be on, and the 15-minute shutdown (at least under some situations):
It just seemed simpler to me to bypass all of the electronic decision makers, and go directly to the battery (well, via a fused lead, and the Termin-8 connector I added to the battery), the way I have on prior bikes.
You may have to test out the stock socket for us, in this regard.
I have an SAE pigtail. Just pointing out potential options.
wspollack
Active member
Ah, got it.
I’ve always put a fused SAE pigtail direct to the battery. I was just wondering if the bike came with one on it -either BMWs or an SAE type terminal. No intention of charging through the power point. An though I cut my teeth onFI and Can-bus systems, I wouldn’t use a Can-bus charge set up. The direct to the battery is not only easier, but that fused SAE terminal can also be used for a 12v air compressor, adapter to charge cellphone or navigation. Granted it’s always “hot” or on but I’m used to that and leave nothing plugged in except the buttery tender when bike is not ridden. Thanks for all the info though.
Gulf Coast BMW confirmed that you can charge the C400GT through the DIN port with a canbus compatible charger or maintainer. Any BMW motorcycle with a DIN port and is also Canbus can be charged through this port according to the service department.