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Problems in new bike city

Reguam

Reguam

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Jan 4, 2025
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Vallejo
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I did not know I would be doing this so soon. So last night I put the bike on an optimate3 charger and this morning all green and ran a few errands on the bike and was playing with it for about an hour and left it outside with the keys hanging off the handlebars. The day got away from me and it was about 7 hours before I went to bring the bike in. Would not start, just a few clicks and it was reading critical error related to the battery. I assumed the key drained it but seem way fast for me. When I hooked it up to the O3 the #6 LED was red and flashing, I think meaning not taking a charge. I dug into the battery to check the connections and they looked good but just as a test I switched over to some clamps with the same result. Did I take out this battery in one move? Any help appreciated.
 
Hmm. Could be a battery fault? What was the mileage on the bike before you bought it as I wonder if the battery has been maintained before you took ownership?
 
They said it was delivered the day before from Germany. It was not on a tender at the store. But I have put at least 120 miles on it since bring it home without a problem. That should have brought it back to life.
 
OM3RTA said:
Hmm. Could be a battery fault? What was the mileage on the bike before you bought it as I wonder if the battery has been maintained before you took ownership?
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So I have this figured out. I did indeed drain the battery by leaving the key next to the bike. Having had a GTL and a Grand America prior to this scooter, and being on forums for years, I have not come across this, although I understand it is logical. But I would at least expect it to take days rather than hours. But that was not the issue. I came to the conclusion it could not hold a charge based on the reading from the Optimate3. Non stop blinking red in LED #6 even though it had been on the charger. I nevertheless connected it for overnight potential charging. In the morning I went into the garage hoping for a green light but instead it was still blinking red. I assumed somehow I fried the battery. But the bike's power came on allowing me to see what the bike said about the battery and it showed full as the Optimate3 continued to flash red. The bike started up reminding me how I have fix TVs Routers PCs and likely other things and so I walked over and pulled the plug on the Optimate3. It slowly went dark. Thirty seconds later plug back in and all Green. All good in scooter land.
 
I have left my key in my jacket pocket within 6 feet of my scooter for weeks and had no issues. It must be a close proximity key.
 
mgg said:
I have left my key in my jacket pocket within 6 feet of my scooter for weeks and had no issues. It must be a close proximity key.
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Right. Bike and trunk auto lock when walking away. I guess it is like leaving your car lights on or something.
 
Ceesie76 said:
Sounds like somehow the Optimate and the battery are not entirely compatible. Good that at least the battery is ok.
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If it keeps acting up I would be leaning toward a defective Optimate3. They are a premium brand that specialize in compatibility. I did buy a backup battery just to have in the house so if it acts up again I can run comparison tests.
 
That looks like a fine charger. I don't know why it wouldn't work. Keep us posted. Were you doing a direct charge or through the 12V port in the glove box?
 
jokerface said:
The Optimate 3 does not have a CAN-bus chip. So charging does not work on the 12V plug. You have to connect it directly to the battery, only then will it charge. Otherwise, it will not.
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Thank You. Missed in the Owners manual twice on page 153 it specifically reads to only use the power socket in the right hand storage compartment for charging the battery. Although on the 25 it is on the outside underneath the right storage compartment. I sold my Optimate 4 to the new owner of my Grand America just assuming it will not be needed with the scooter. Doh! Hey, thanks. Very helpful post.
 
Hi.
I also have a CTEK xs 0.8 charger. Unfortunately it is not CANBUS compatible either. I had to buy a new one. I invested in an OEM BMW motorcycle charger, which can now charge Lithium batteries. Maybe I will have one someday :)
 
jokerface said:
Hi.
I also have a CTEK xs 0.8 charger. Unfortunately it is not CANBUS compatible either. I had to buy a new one. I invested in an OEM BMW motorcycle charger, which can now charge Lithium batteries. Maybe I will have one someday :)
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Mine Optimate4 came today so everything is back on track. So much help and information on these forums.
 
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