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Re: Keeping bikes on Optimate
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:51 pm
by Yorick
Funners wrote: Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:49 pm
As above really Optimates or whichever flavour are not just a charger, they are a battery tender, they monitor charge levesl only top up when required, carry out de-sulphation if required and generally look after the battery its not just a trickle charger.
case in point, my mates 1200 Bandit is 21 years old, always been on an optimate from day 1, its still on its OE battery, which is some kind of record
All my bikes live on an optimate all the time and the only battery I've had to buy in the last 15 years was one for the BMW....which are renowned for eating batteries
It's cost £2,000 in leccy, but the battery is fine
Re: Keeping bikes on Optimate
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 5:06 pm
by Funners
Yorick wrote: Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:51 pm
Funners wrote: Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:49 pm
As above really Optimates or whichever flavour are not just a charger, they are a battery tender, they monitor charge levesl only top up when required, carry out de-sulphation if required and generally look after the battery its not just a trickle charger.
case in point, my mates 1200 Bandit is 21 years old, always been on an optimate from day 1, its still on its OE battery, which is some kind of record
All my bikes live on an optimate all the time and the only battery I've had to buy in the last 15 years was one for the BMW....which are renowned for eating batteries
It's cost £2,000 in leccy, but the battery is fine
ya can tek t'lad out a Yorkshire.......
Re: Keeping bikes on Optimate
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:16 pm
by Scootabout
I think I go with the consensus on this thread, namely, I wouldn't worry about leaving an Optimate hooked up for a long time, but in practice I just use it to top up the charge if needed. And actually that's hardly ever. But then I don't leave my bike unridden for long, usually. Except now, and it's been several weeks since I rode it and it's been v cold and.... Optimate here we come.
Re: Keeping bikes on Optimate
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 10:49 am
by The Spin Doctor
derek badger wrote: Sat Jan 23, 2021 7:24 am
I've had one on the MT09 for 5 years. Longest I've had a battery survive on a bike.
The XJ6 is on a 59 plate. Still on the OE battery. Not on an Optimate. Mind you, I should probably whip it out and give it a charge as the bike was last used in November.
Re: Keeping bikes on Optimate
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 6:47 pm
by Phoenix
Potter wrote: Sat Jan 23, 2021 12:25 pmI have bikes that have been on Ctek chargers, without moving, for over three years.
Same here. One in the garage on the bike and just bought another for the car - the cold weather almost killed the battery.The car is outside and the charger is inside the house, connected by a long lead.
I like the fact that it pulses intermittently when fully charged.
I really rate CTek.
Keep Safe & Be Kind
Re: Keeping bikes on Optimate
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:19 pm
by Doc
I've been using an optimate mk1 for over 20 years now. When the bike isn't being ridden it's in the garage plugged into the optimate. I usually get 5-10 years out of a battery.
Leaving an optimate plugged into the bike but not switched on will put a drain the battery, so I wouldn't recommend the timeswitch option. Maybe newer versions are diode protected though.....
Re: Keeping bikes on Optimate
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:38 pm
by Phoenix
Doc wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:19 pmLeaving an optimate plugged into the bike but not switched on will put a drain the battery, so I wouldn't recommend the timeswitch option. Maybe newer versions are diode protected though.....
This is true for the CTek. It says in the manual: “Back current drain is <1Ah/month. It should be unplugged from the mains when not in use.”
