Do you use battery charger and which one?

[Val]

Do you use battery charger and which one?

If you use it do you have it permanently conected?

Just curious. I use Oxford Oximiser 900 permanently connected (it has short permanent connection lead included in the box):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005X8RAIE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000R5B386&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1Z7MCMFG29Z2QF0VM3YZ

I have been looking also at:

CTEK XS 0.8 (you need to buy permanent connection comfort lead separetely):

http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-xs08.php

Optimate 4 (it has short permanent connection lead included in the box):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OptiMate-4-Battery-charger-conditioner/dp/B000R5936U

[darrsi]

The bike charges the battery, as long as it's used regularly, definitely no need whatsoever to keep it on charge constantly, that'll just reduce battery life.
I 'may' charge mine once a year, if at all, when the temperature drops below freezing and it needs a bit of a boost, but other than that it's just not necessary.
If your bike is left outside in the elements throughout winter it may need a boost more often though.

[darrsi]

If you are charging frequently because the battery is dropping voltage then it's time for a new battery anyway.

[fireblake]

I have an Optimate but might use it once a year, if that. Even if left for 2 or 3 weeks it starts on the button. It is garaged but as far as I know the battery is the original .


Mickey

[fazersharp]

I can recomend the cteck one as I have the same thing all be it re- badged yamaha a couple of years ago I had a flat battery after trying to start too many times with knackered spark plugs and thought it was a gonner as it was the OEM one at 15 years old but the charger went through its "special" back from the dead routine and I have kept it permanently connected ever since as I dont ride for 6 weeks at at time sometimes. The battery is now 17 years old
I belive cteck make the chargers for Jag and bently and so on

[Grahamm]

I have the Optimate III, whenever the bike is parked up, it's on the charger because it monitors the battery state and tops it up as needed.

What you have to remember, though, is that it only checks voltage, not amps, so it's possible (as I found out some time ago) for a battery that's dying to still register good volts, but then not have enough oomph to crank the engine and make it fire, so it's worth getting a battery load checker on it every 6 months or so to check.

[noggythenog]

No val i dont use one

[sinto]

I use the datatool make of the optimal,
I've always used it, never to charge, just to trickle and keep the battery in top notch condition, I've never had to replace any battery that I've had connected to either this or the optimate version.
And yes the battery charges as you use it, as previously stated, but I've never just ran a battery without using an optimate or the datatool one, so can only say my experience

[Oldgit]

Just use the local lamp post electrical tie in--free lekky great. and it charges all night.

[sinto]

Just use the local lamp post electrical tie in--free lekky great. and it charges all night.

Foc, know wonder Scottish people get the reputation of being tight

[bigralphie]

I have a Clarke auto battery tender I use if I the sorn the ZZR in the grotty months but I only leave it on for a few days at a time
I bought a Halfords fully automatic charger when they were on promotion for £20 ....but not needed it so far

[helen]

I have an Italian bike with a data tool alarm......of course I use a battery charger!  If I don't use the bike over winter, even with the alarm in winter mode, I end up charging the battery at least once. Can't remember what sort of charger, they all do the same thing don't they?