Non-BMW accessories

[REFFI]

I read a letter to the editor in a magazine wherein the writer had purchased a BMW 800. When he tried to use his new (for Christmas) Gerbings Electric Liner, it would not work. He, being a motorcycle mechanic, is undaunted and says that he can work around it. Has anyone any information that other than BMW clothing will not work on a BMW?

Ralph

[NoRRmad]

This may be relevant...

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=22046

[hank]

He needs to top up the CAN-bus fluid and bleed the electrical system from the battery to the auxiliary power socket.

[sweatmark]

Has anyone any information that other than BMW clothing will not work on a BMW?

Ralph,

Assuming that your post here suggests you have an R1150R - if so, then the bike has plenty of power to supply accessories of whatever make, and no issues with CAN-BUS limitations as the R1150** bikes were all old-school fused circuits.

As for the power available at the left side power socket, you've got a 15A fuse (F3) supplying the on-board power socket and the clock. Pretty sure that clock's not pulling much current, so you can budget power accessories accordingly.

With some searching here, you can find many examples of R1150R riders who added an auxiliary fuse block (most often connected directly to battery via relay) in order to power various accessories: heated gear, aux lighting, electronics.

[CycleRob]

REFFI,

Besides the minor over cautious character flaw I found out that NoRRmad linked to, it is possible the heated clothing draws over 5 amps of current. That triggers the F800 bike's "ZFE" computer (controls lights, grips & power socket) to cut off the current to the power socket, where the Gerbings is likely plugged in. It's not clear why that limit was chosen, whether it is the wire size's current limit or that it may be too much for the charging system to sustain continuously. Whatever. I am completely satisfied with the way it protects itself from what amounts to electrical overloads or even short circuits. All monitored electronically while protecting everything without any fuses.

The way around it's limited power output is to (inexpensively) create your own 'key-on power system' like THIS GUY did.