Battery Chargers, Optimisers.

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by Big Sandy, Nov 17, 2018.

  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  1. Big Sandy

    Big Sandy WOOF! WOOF!

    Nov 14, 2018
    2,369
    800
    Fuck off you nosy cunt
    I'm not always able to ride every week, and was wondering if I should invest in a battery charger that can be left hooked up. I know Sprints don't like flat batteries! Especially as winter is coming.

    What do you use? I wonder about an optimate charger... Bike is kept in its own dedicated storage, lined and insulated, with frost heater (it gets down to the minus 20° C temps here in winter. Not Canada cold, but chilly for the UK!) but I know cold drains batteries.

    Thanks in advance for any advice.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  2. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
    800
    Three Counties
    I know loads of people use Optimate and they're supposed to be very good. I use the Datatool Smart Charger which I can highly recommend but ultimately what you are looking for is a smart battery maintainer rather than a battery charger so that you can just keep it plugged in when not used over the cold period :cool::cool:
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. Rich Bryce

    Rich Bryce Dead Eye Dick

    Sep 18, 2015
    2,987
    1,000
    Bedford
    I'd recommend the Oxford solar charger, but I guess you need to live somewhere that occasionally sees the sun.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Funny Funny x 1
  4. Richard Neale

    Richard Neale Active Member

    Apr 20, 2018
    156
    43
    Northwich
    Deffo worth hooking up a trickle charger to preserve your battery i have had 2nd hand bikes (with old batteries) last well over 5 years on trickle charger - then sold on without a battery change . Batteries don't like cold and if they go flat sometimes wont recover at all.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

    Jul 7, 2018
    3,620
    1,000
    MID DEVON
    #5 Adie P, Nov 17, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2018

    I've had excellent service from a couple of these for the last few years :-

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153177299631

    They're used a lot in the world of caravan users and have similar functionality to the more expensive brands of smart chargers.

    Whatever you get and despite the good conditions that you're keeping the bike in, it is definitely worth leaving the battery on a smart maintenance charger.

    Edit :- it comes with a harness (similar to the Optimate) that can be left on the bike so there'll be no need to lift the seat to connect.
     
    • Useful Useful x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. Richard Neale

    Richard Neale Active Member

    Apr 20, 2018
    156
    43
    Northwich
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Big Sandy

    Big Sandy WOOF! WOOF!

    Nov 14, 2018
    2,369
    800
    Fuck off you nosy cunt
    Thank you all for your advise. I went for the Optimate 4. I like the look of the Maypole one too, but maybe the optimate had the edge.

    I dunno, it's all spend spend spend. Bank manager is gonna love me :p

    Helluva variation in price for the same item when you look isnt there!
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. PapaLazarou

    PapaLazarou Member

    Nov 7, 2018
    31
    13
    Dumfries
    HI guys. Glad i found this thread as i was about to post one of my own! Had my 2017 Speed Triple R for couple months. It came with an optimate charge port fitted. Im wanting to buy a charger but does it make a difference which one i get? Have no experience with them so which one will do the job?
    Thanks on advance.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
    800
    Three Counties
    That would depend on which optimate charge port is fitted, picture paints a thousand words. Optimate 4 has a completely different connector. If it's the standard white connector then most trickle chargers should fit.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  10. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
    800
    Three Counties
    Very true, was just pointing out that if he was looking to connect up using the one attached then he needed to make sure it was the right one :cool::cool:
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  11. Big Sandy

    Big Sandy WOOF! WOOF!

    Nov 14, 2018
    2,369
    800
    Fuck off you nosy cunt
    I think that's the one I found. (having an issue with the skimlinks software on forum, my antivirus sees it as a threat not the useful feature is for forum fundraising, and as such won't let eBay links open. Can find items by item number though)

    The optimate 4 I ordered was 1p cheaper than the one from M&P, but delivery is from 20th to 23rd November. M&P would have been quicker, but according to their blurb they don't ship to my postcode. Not on the mainland apparently... I live on an island! Haa! Don't all us brits live on an island?
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

    Nov 14, 2018
    4,061
    800
    North Yorkshire
    I use an Optimate and for a fuel injected bike I would say it is imperative.
    In the days of carbs you could get down around 10 V and still have a chance of firing up but with fuel injection, Ecu and fuel pump draining before you start a FI bike needs around 11.5V.

    The plugs although varied are all much of a muchness and can rot out (copper sulphate forms), I chop mine off and use normal bullet connectors but put the bike positive on a female bullet and the earth on a male. That way there is no shorting and you can't get reverse polarity. Plus you can have as many bikes as you have cabled ready for pennies :p Yorkshire man see!
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  13. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

    Jul 7, 2018
    3,620
    1,000
    MID DEVON
    Gotta go with whatcha know .....

    I understand the Optimate is generally reliable so it may be a while DD. I'd suggest that at less than £23 it's worth a punt just to make sure you're not waiting for a replacement if the need ever does arise!
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  14. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,035
    1,000
    High Wycombe
    If putting your bike into storage for an extended period, couldn't you remove the battery, keep it inside nice n warm and give it a regular charge it up before installing in Spring?
    Would it have an adverse affect on the bike not having a battery fitted?
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. Big Sandy

    Big Sandy WOOF! WOOF!

    Nov 14, 2018
    2,369
    800
    Fuck off you nosy cunt
    I don't think having no battery would have an adverse effect on the bike itself. . Unless ecu's lose their memory, and even if they did it would be just like starting with a new ecu, it would have to relearn your riding style. Though I have seen cars refuse to start after a week of no battery.

    Putting the battery somewhere warm would stop the cold draining it, right enough. But starter batteries need a cycle of use to keep them in condition, they aren't like leisure batteries that can take long slow depletion, then a charge; they are designed for a large draw of current, then an instant recharge. So you'd need to use it and charge it a few times to keep it in condition. Least ways, that's my understanding of it.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  16. David Cooper

    David Cooper Triumph Rocketeer.
    Subscriber

    You would need to keep the battery on the bike if it has an alarm system fitted, an optimate would stop the alarm from draining the battery.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
  17. Big Sandy

    Big Sandy WOOF! WOOF!

    Nov 14, 2018
    2,369
    800
    Fuck off you nosy cunt
    That's a good point. :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  18. Wishbone

    Wishbone First Class Member

    Nov 4, 2018
    861
    643
    Essex UK
    I have a Maypole MP7423 6V / 12V 4A Electronic Smart Charger, thought it was good for anything but Lithium? use it for cars now.
    Which is why,when I put a lithium battery in my VFR800 Vtec I bought a NOCO Genius g1100 does anything including cars.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. BigCLM

    BigCLM Senior Member

    Nov 30, 2017
    1,017
    243
    San Rafael, CA
    I use a Battery Tender Jr. I ride on the weekends and always keep my battery on my charger whenever I am not riding, and any time of year. I have been riding for 30+ years and my batteries have always lasted a long time. Batteries not kept charged will slowly be damaged over time. This damage is totally normal for batteries that are not maintained charged.
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  20. chuk

    chuk Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Jan 10, 2017
    350
    113
    neilston glasgow
    Optimate 4 is my choice have used optimate for over a decade now no probs,tried Oxford chargers but never lasted last time had on with digital display got it free with practical sports bike but kept setting alarm off on the speedy,ended up selling it on gumtree nearly paid mag subscription l.o.l
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
  21. MattP

    MattP Active Member

    Feb 27, 2018
    107
    43
    Leeds
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  22. Johnjo

    Johnjo Senior Member

    May 29, 2017
    545
    243
    Birmingham
    I replaced an aged optimate charger with an all singing and dancing ctek one. It can tell whether it's plugged into a bike or car and charge accordingly. It works just fine with a nice display indicating the progressive charge rate.

    One criticism though. It doesn't like charging the bike via the triumph accessory socket as the optimate did. I preferred charging through the socket as I don't like too much wired directly to the battery terminals.

    Given my time again I would have chosen another optimate.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  23. Big Sandy

    Big Sandy WOOF! WOOF!

    Nov 14, 2018
    2,369
    800
    Fuck off you nosy cunt
    A lot of my friends use ctek chargers on their Land Rovers. If I'd asked them they would have said ctek, but horses for courses an all that, you want bike related info, ask on the best bike forum :)
     
    • Like Like x 2
Loading...

Share This Page