Ok just replaced a suspect battery on my America. What's the general consensus on charging? not sure if its ok to have charger connected all the time in the winter, or just once a week or month as a maintenance charge.
Modern "intelligent" chargers, like the Optimate mentioned (I have a CTeK) are designed to be left connected indefinately, sensing battery condition and adjusting the charge rate to suit. Having said that, I charge the ZZR, now SORNED for the Winter, once a week as it has an imobiliser and a Meta alarm fitted, both of which draw a small amount of current. The dirt bike, on the other hand, has neither and zero drain so can be left for weeks without issues. I also have an old style "stupid" charger, must be 40 years old and made for wet LA batteries. I don't use it for modern AGM or GEL batteries though. They don"t like it up 'em you know!
I use Optimate for all of my bikes and these are intended to gently maintain the battery. In fact, my Daytona has been connected permanently for 10+ years (other than when riding of course).
Mine go on an Optimate when the weather turns colder and the bikes are likely to get cold soaked for days at a time or going to be left for extended periods. They come off when they get ridden much more frequently in warmer weather
Ok cheers for the info. Seems like its permanent connection of the charger (I have the Triumph one, but pretty sure its an Optimate) so will keep it set up and see.
I have lithium batteries on two out of three of my bikes. Some people like them, some don't. They are certainly a hell of a lot lighter than a conventional battery with lead internals, it feels like you've actually bought an empty box! However, one thing to note if you do use them is you need a special battery charger. One for an 'ordinary' battery will knacker it up. I have a Ctek for the other bike with a lead/gel battery and as others have already said, a 'smart' charger such as the Optimate or Ctek, you can leave on throughout the winter months without problems.
LI vehicle batteries intended as drop in replacement for LA batteries should have onboard charging circuitry so a "normal" (ie, not the newer intelligent types intended for LA batts) charger can be used. These charge in the same way and rate as the vehicles charging system. Not all LI batteries have this on board BMS circuitry and that can cause problems. I've been looking at LI batteries and might get a replacement for the dirtbike if/when the standard battery packs up. On a lightweight machine like that the weight saving is useful and potentially more noticeable. On a 200+kg road bike not so. LI's do have superior performance characteristics though. It's the old cost vs benefit equation.
