Optimate Constant Charging Current Amperage Question

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by Scoot65, Jan 9, 2026 at 9:28 PM.

  1. Scoot65

    Scoot65 Well-Known Member

    Dec 3, 2015
    241
    93
    DURHAM
    The Optimate charger I'm using at the moment is the Optimate 2 Duo battery charger / maintainer. It has a 2A constant charging current. Is this OK for 24/7 connection to a motorcycle battery?

    Would the Optimate 1 Duo with 0.6A constant charging current be a better option?

    I'm thinking about longevity of the battery (sealed AGM)


    Thanks guys!
     
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  2. littleade

    littleade The only sane one here
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    Mar 17, 2015
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  3. zvezdah1

    zvezdah1 New Member

    Nov 16, 2025
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    3
    georgia
    Do you really need to keep a trickle charger on it? I thought one of the benefits of Lithium batteries is not needing to keep them on a maintainer. I had a shorai lifepo battery on one of my bikes some years ago and never had it hooked to a tender.
     
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  4. Eldon

    Eldon Crème de la Crème

    Nov 14, 2018
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    I have both units mentioned.
    My 900st is on one and the 765 is on the other, both can be connected 24/7 and no issues.
    The cyclic charging will give what it needs so I wouldn't worry.

    Sealed AGM ( absorbed glass matting) isn't a lithium battery @zvezdah1 but I do like the Duo idea as I have in addition lithium batteries so the charger risk mix up is negated.
     
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  5. Scoot65

    Scoot65 Well-Known Member

    Dec 3, 2015
    241
    93
    DURHAM
    Thanks for that info. It's that 'real world' usage I was wanting to hear about.

    I need to buy another charger (too many batteries!!) so wondered if I should go for the Duo 1 or Duo 2 so sounds like either one will be fine.

    Thanks again!
     
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  6. Eldon

    Eldon Crème de la Crème

    Nov 14, 2018
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    Duo 1 gives less charge rate so as a trickle charger it makes no difference but is cheaper to purchase than a Duo 2.
    The Duo idea appealed because a normal charger can't be used on lithium. I gave my remaining non-lithium compatabile charger to my son, so that I couldn't mistakenly connect it up with my x2 chargers living next to each other on the wall.
     
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  7. Baza

    Baza Elite Member

    Jul 25, 2020
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    Amazing Grace
    The use of the term “trickle charger” in respect of Optimates is wrong. It is a battery tender, not a trickle charger. As such it can be connected 24/7 to a machine’s battery when not being ridden and will regularly test/charge the battery depending on what it finds during a test phase.

    Like @Eldon i have an older Optimate 4 and one of the newer Duo units connected to the bikes permanently. The fact that the Odessey AGM battery is still going strong on the Ducati after 15 years is proof that this strategy works.
     
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  8. pbansen

    pbansen Well-Known Member
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    Oct 22, 2025
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    Reno, Nevada
    If you want a battery maintainer that will work on anything - flooded, AGM or lithium, look at the Noco chargers. I have a Noco Genius 2 (about $50) that I use on the lithium battery in my DR650 every month or so during the winter. It's tiny and works great. The only drawback is that Noco uses a non-standard connector between the harness they provide for the battery and the charger lead, but they provide another harness with clamps for the battery terminal in case you want to use the charger on another bike.

    The Genius 2 has a two amp maximum rate, which is plenty for maintaining a battery, and there's a one amp Genius 1 (about $30) and a five amp Genius 5 (about $70).
     
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  9. Trickle333

    Trickle333 Active Member

    Sep 23, 2024
    90
    28
    Staffordshire
    Hi, Iv got a optimate charger that i don't use as i bought th Optimate 2 ?? that does my EFB car battery as well (Stop start). Ill see if i can find th photo of of th site and post... You see if it good for you and if so just P&P will be good.:)

    Here you go... upload_2026-1-12_18-6-0.jpeg
     
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  10. Trickle333

    Trickle333 Active Member

    Sep 23, 2024
    90
    28
    Staffordshire
    upload_2026-1-12_18-38-14.jpeg
     
  11. Eldon

    Eldon Crème de la Crème

    Nov 14, 2018
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    Yep totally agree @Baza and like I said on post 4, the cyclic charging mode of these devices overules any notion of trickle charging or otherwise.

    @Scoot65 do a bit of research and buy one, connect it up, forget about it and it will last you years.
    Making it lithium compatible adds a bit of future proofing and hopefully eliminates possible mistakes/fires :poop:
     
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  12. Eldon

    Eldon Crème de la Crème

    Nov 14, 2018
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    Yep totally agree @Baza and like I said on post 4, the cyclic charging mode of these devices overules any notion of trickle charging or otherwise.

    @Scoot65 do a bit of research and buy one, connect it up, forget about it and it will last you years.
    Making it lithium compatible adds a bit of future proofing and hopefully eliminates possible mistakes/fires :poop:
     
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