Hey all y'all, newbie Yank on Bonneville here. It's getting to be the usual brutal cold here in the US midlands. Regarding storage and battery life: the manual says only use "Triumph approved battery chargers." Huh? I have a 12amp/2amp charger. Wouldn't the 2amp setting do? Also, must the battery be removed for a trickle charge? Thanks for your usual kind assistance and hope this Armistice Day finds you well.
Welcome WCB from a neighbor to the west of you (central Illinois when I am at home). If you are planning to leave it on a trickle charger for a long period, I would think the 2 amp charge would be too much from a regular charger. I use a trickle charger that monitors the voltage and only charges at something less than that (2 amps) unless I set it to a regular charge. I don't recall the brand of mine but it was less than $100 and it has worked for years through a couple of different bikes. I've no knowledge of using a brand specific charger. I would think any good trickle charger that actually monitors the condition of the battery would work. Maybe someone else can chime in on the need for a branded model for a trickle charger. Ride safe.
Amazon U.S.A has a good choice of optimate chargers. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node=4853&field-keywords=optimate And welcome to the forum.
I think if you look across the floor of any independent and most manufacturers show rooms and you would see tge majority of chargers are Optimate
The main thing to realise is that trickle chargers are too stupid to switch themselves off! You need a human or a smart charger. A typical 10 amp hour bike battery at 2 amps will charge in a few hours and then you start to cook it. A 60 or 80 amp car battery can handle higher charging rates. There are plenty of smart chargers out there. You can leave them hooked up all the time but a variable rate charger is handy for both 2 and 4 wheel batteries.
As has been said, it's a "smart" charger you need. The difference is it monitors the battery's state before and during the appropriate charge routine. There should be plenty of choice, including Battery Tender or https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-U...sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=maypole+battery+charger https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=maypole+battery+charger
Hi WCB, and welcome in Optimate is a popular model although I have the Datatool Smart Charger and can't fault it
Good morning and welcome in. Now, I use a Deltran battery tender, available almost anywhere in the states. I also use the all weather version. This works very well for me, as it handles the high humidity here in Ms. They are very affordable and have served me well for years. Good luck with your decision!
Welcome aboard WCB. I use an Optimate 2 which works perfectly well. We use Optimate 3 at the dealership. The connectors on the 3 are the modern type. I also use an Oxford solar charger which I can recommend.
Welcome from smoky Calif. I use a Battery Tender Jr. Used it for years. My batteries have always lasted for many years with no issues.
