How to keep you motorbike batteries from going flat over winter
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- How to keep you motorbike batteries from going flat over winter: A question that comes up time and again is how I keep my bikes ready to ride through winter....it's all about keeping the batteries ready to go, here's what I do...
Link to the Optimate chargers I use at Sportsbike shop www.sportsbike...
Link to my Monimoto tracker video • How to find your stole...
Link to Optimate chargers I use on Amazon amzn.to/366fZDz
My Patreon page / themissendenflyer
Exclusive TMF Merch on my website themissendenfl... and of course Teespring (click the red spring top right).
I buy my riding kit from Sportsbike shop www.sportsbike...
I recommend protecting your bike with a Monimoto tracker monimoto.co.uk...
I'm now on that Twitter thing! Join me @MissendenFlyer
You can now follow me on Facebook too The Missenden Flyer@TheMissendenFlyer
and on Instagram @missendenflyer
Links to my channel sponsors:-
Bennetts bennetts.co.uk
Toro Adventure www.toroadvent...
Canary Motorcycle Tours www.canarymoto...
Speedo Angels www.speedo-ang...
Custom Fit Guards www.customfitg...
Don't forget your TMF Discounts!:-
Use the discount code "TMF" at www.visorcat.com for 10% off (+free delivery in the UK).
Use "FLYER10" for your discounts on ear protection with Custom Fit Guards at www.customfitg...
Mention The Missenden Flyer when buying from panigaleheatsh... or ducatispacers.... for discounts on Panigale heat shields or Ducati/Triumph throttle spacer kits. Use the code MISSENDEN to get the $10 discount on the heat shield, or heat shield/spacer kit bundle and MISSENDENSK for 10% off the spacer kit.
Use the code "missenden" to get 10% off orders at Speedo Angels www.speedo-ang...
More discounts coming soon!
I use the following equipment to record and edit my VLOGs:-
GoPro HD Hero 4 helmet camera amzn.to/2lQVI1a
GoPro HD Hero 7 Black camera amzn.to/2zaEykh
GoPro HD Hero 8 Black camera amzn.to/39nKeIc
GoPro Session (4) "B" Camera amzn.to/2lTT0oz
DJI Mavic Air drone (fly more combo) amzn.to/2JX3l23
Nikon D7100 DSLR for static and video shots with various lenses amzn.to/2lU1gEX
Lavalier microphone and sellotape for in helmet audio amzn.to/2kOZVOU
BOYA BY-M1 3.5 mm Lavalier Microphone for in-garage pieces amzn.to/2pVAf4X
Movo LV20 Dual Lavalier Clip-on Microphones for 2 person interviews amzn.to/2qQuw5r
Power Director 12 for the PC (for video editing) amzn.to/2kP3HaR
Radio mic for in garage audio amzn.to/2lpq61B
Rode VIDEOMICPRO On Camera Microphone for general use amzn.to/2qvcZwv
Rode Deadcat VMPR Windshield to kill wind noise amzn.to/2qroOWG
Neewer CN 160 LED Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Video Light amzn.to/2qQPEs2
Goliton® Camera DSLR Triple Mount for LED Video Lights Microphones amzn.to/2rpUlGg
A pair of Lantoo LED Floodlight 50W for additional lighting amzn.to/2rpOKjs
My current motorcycles are:-
Honda CRF250L
Triumph Street Triple R
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale
Triumph Speed Twin
Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor
For any additional enquiries please send a PM, e-mail me via TheMissendenFlyer@gmail.com, contact me via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram or preferably leave a comment below...
"Hey kids!..." As soon as I hear that it puts a smile on my face.
Glad to hear it! It doesn’t have that effect on everyone alas!!
Yeah, I'm not a kid, but whenever I hear those words, it makes me feel like one..... I love it!!! 😊
Yes, it puts a smile on my face.
I'm not called a kid that often these days (being of a very similar age to TMF). I'm just an over grown kid, who likes bikes :)
@@TheMissendenFlyer I actually 'rewind' the video if I miss you saying it, so I can hear it!
Puts a big smile on my face too, though I'm old enough to be his dad. (Much more handsome though)
I’ve been using Optimate on my bikes for about 15 years - highly recommended. Only time I have battery issues is when I’ve forgotten to plug them in!
Totally agree about the Optimate. I've had one since about 2007 & it's still going strong. Very helpful little vid for those who don't know about them & their benefits. Worth their weight in gold imo.
Hi mate i have to bikes and dont do many miles over winter will it be worth investing in one cheers Neil.
@@neilwiddison6529 Absolutely. It's dead easy to use & keeps your battery in great condition. It runs diagnostics, fast charges, slow charges, drains & recharges the battery all by itself depending how long you've got it plugged in for. You don't need to do anything other than plug it in! Mine is well used & still going 13 years later. Newer ones than mine will almost certainly have some better features too.
Thanks for the reply mate. I will shop around for one.
Believe it or not l have been using my optimate charger since 1999...and still working well...now that's what l call value for money.!
I had a question concerning the Richy Vida vid, read through the comments and found my answer. Thanks TMF & the comment community. 👍🏼
TMF I just did this on my bike yesterday. Happy New Year!
My busa is 12 years old in march,bought her brand new, and it has still got the original battery on her.Ive never trickled charged the battery ever .I have never road her in the winter,i have never charged the battery ever, i have just started her up every week if not in use.Till the fans kick in and then i shut her straight down.It has just started to get weak in the last month so probs need to replace it. soon.Great vlog buddy happy new year
Useful tip for longevity i wish I had done that but I have a small bike 125. I didn't charge it all winter and it was brand new. Ive started it up I think I've saved her for now but maybe took some life out of it and its put my engine light on and it a freshly serviced ... Gutted but I should have took the battery off the bike and trickled it once a month
Yes it was interesting to hear Richy Vida's mechanic saying that constant trickle charging was bad for batteries so I've stopped doing that on my three and just charge occasionally...
He is a 100% right...I learned that the "hard" way on my jetski.
The Optimate (and others) are not a trickle chargers. They monitor the battery condition and charge when necessary. No constant trickle charge.
My personal experience with optimates started in the 90's and I have used them ever since on my bikes without any problems
Interesting...I use the Oxford optimisers
So glad to see you using Optimate. I bought some cheaper ones. They did a job but haveing an misbehaving battery I bought an Optimate. What a difference. They are the best.
Agreed!
Definitely the way to go, i have just bought my second Optimate.
My Optimate is 14 years old and still working well, varying between the bike and garden tractor.....1 week on each alternately. Good advice for those that haven’t worked it out for themselves yet. 👍
Cheers Steve!
One thing I would like to add is when using a trickle charger only switch it on for a few hours per week. Constant charging causes the battery to fail much faster. It’s now good practice to let the battery cells work at different levels. The similar rule applies to a tradesmen’s power tools you have to run them very low every time for longevity. The mechanic on Richyvidas recent vid explains it well.
I thought Richie Veda's video was interesting but confusing and contradictory. One minute the mechanic was saying how well his battery had lasted (seven years) and then he said they should last about 3 years and you shouldn't use a trickle charger! I use one and my battery is fine after 5 years.
True regarding the bike battery, not so much the power tools, not now they're Lithium Ion batteries. Lithium Ion doesn't care about being fully discharged (and in fact can't be because the BMS prevents it as a complete discharge kills them) and doesn't have any memory either.
So a Lithium Ion battery that's rated for 500 charge cycles is happy for 1000 50% charges or 5000 10% charges.
That's the beauty of this Optimate chargers - they don't charge all the time, they do a deep recycle if the battery is low and then pulse charge the battery back to life...then only put charge in if it drops below a certain level...I'm happy with the set up...
The battery gets charged constantly when the engines running, 11hr day on tour over 2 weeks. It's charging...
Trickle chargers have cutoffs. Richy's issue wasn't the battery, the battery was a victim
TheAegisClaw That’s interesting I am a carpenter and when I leave my 18v lithium’s for a while it’s really hard to wake them up. The advice I was given is to keep using them often run them low not flat and that keeps them active. I start my motorbike once every two weeks and I have never had any problems with life span or startup
Had an Opimate Charger since 2004 and it's still going strong! 😁
Yes they seem pretty robust don’t they....
Excellent advice. I have been lucky enough (or foolish enough lol) to use my bike these last few days and it doesn't half keep you sharp riding on greasy roads.....
After watching RV's video, I went and unplugged my CTEK and BMW battery conditioner/chargers. Now going to plug them back in. I have to be honest, I used Optimate ones for years with no issues.
If yours are the intelligent type you should be fine....
I did exactly the same and unplugged my Oxford one. Are optimate better? The chap the RB uses says you should not use them??
Just bought an Optimate - really good. Put it on the bike every night and lovely to see all the green lights on when I open the garage door! Thanks.
I was looking for these kind of information. Thanks Mr.
I just take the battery out (no alarms or trackers) and keep it "warm" in the kitchen cupboard with a small boost charge before spring use. My SV 650 battery lasted 20 years on this treatment.
@Seamus McShamish if 20 years was this shortened life, then I can live with that. Interestingly we both seem to be wrong re keeping it warm - I read recently on a battery manufacturer's website that the best way to preserve the battery is to keep it in the fridge, below 4c if I recall.
@@peva7945 I need to do the same as no power in the shed where the bike is stored. How long do you charge for out of the bike and how often?
@@RussellGregory29 There wasn't a lot of science to it I'm afraid. I used a 300ma charger "occasionally" over the four or five months of winter. In fact I'm sure there were some years it got forgotten until just before going back on the bike. I did sometimes use a hydrometer to check the charge. No doubt there's detailed advice on the net somewhere.
Your bikes and garage are very neat and clean. Well organized. You also talk at a good pace and get to the point quickly. Good stuff, my man.
Thank you very much Paul!
Careful TMF, when using an extension lead like the one in your vid you should probably unwind Al of it to avoid overheating. So many bikes so little time. Wish I had a man cave that big👍
Great vid TMF..... had an Optimate on my 99 zx6r g2 and when i got the Superduke i took the lead of it and put it on the Duke... nearly 21 years old and still going strong.👍
As a tradesman who also rides a BMW GS (R1150) I would suggest you get a shorter extention lead because leaving that rolled up is a fire risk.
Yes many have said the same - cheers Marc
6 motorcycles and a treadmill, fantastic combo TMF
Agreed....except the treadmill of course (a necessary evil!)....
I tried it but even with the treadmill at full speed the bike kept falling over. 😃
I’ve had an Optimate 3 since 07 and it’s still working fine. I have an Optimate 4 on my K1600GT and an Optimate 6 on my second car.
Clearly a fan then!
Good video. Generically those connectors are called SAE plugs and are pretty common on 12V systems. Since they each have a shielded socket and exposed male pin they are always wired where the shielded socket is connected to the battery positive. Always use a low amperage fuse (no more than 15A, 5A is best) between the positive lead and the battery positive terminal.
I have used the Yuasa battery charger/maintainer over the winter, switching the plug to different bikes every few weeks. This works for me but no battery lasts forever. It's always best to change a battery before it leaves you stranded. Back in the day we could always push off a bike with a low battery. Fuel injection means that usually won't work today. My Speed Triple won't crank until the fuel pump pressure is high enough and a low battery won't get the pump to that point, regardless of whether there is enough battery to turn the motor over.
If your bike will sit over winter without use, especially in high humidity climates or where you have ethanol in your gasoline, it is worth adding a preservative like Sta-Bil to the fuel to reduce deposits and corrosion in the gas tank.
Free advice, and worth every penny you paid for it.
Sound like good advice to me Bill!
I’ve got 2 Ctek chargers that I’ve had since 2008 & have never had any problems with them brilliant chargers.
Yes ..will keep my trickle charger on for winter...
I noticed the coiled up extension cable
Not advised...
Yes a few have mentioned that....
I use the optimate , got one on the Harley (the bike Rich borrowed) it’s been permanently plugged in for 9 years and still on the original battery , also use one on my GS and one on my race car that has twin batteries it’s been on trickle for 10 years Iv not used the car in 4 years and batteries are like new ,brilliant bits of kit ,highly recommend them
Hey Brian! Good to hear from you!
I have an optimate charger connecter fitted to my bike and works great, I also have a moto mini gps unit fitted to my bike after watching your video about the moto mini. works great.
Indeed ! An Optimate charging lead is always the first accessory fitted to any of my new purchases. I have been using them for over five years.
Good advice Tmf I use the same charger and have two for both bikes when the temperature drops below freezing the bat on bikes will die completely .thanks from Danny
Excellent and very well presented, to the point!
you just totally answered my question - ducati with a biketrac and within 3 days battery is dead
Glad to help!
Top tip cheers
No problem 👍
Other brands of battery conditioners are available!
I've used a Datatool smart charger on my bikes for over 10 years and I've never had to replace a battery. My favourite is a CTek 8stage smart charger which can be used on cars as well as bikes and is AGM(Gel) compatible. I upgraded my own battery connector plug to the version which has a traffic light on it which displays the status of the battery's charge when not connected to the charger/conditioner.
I used to go through all of this on my two bikes, but then I replaced their batteries with the lithium versions. For the winter (and I'm in Canada, so....) I disconnect the positive lead on my Triumph Street Triple R because there is otherwise a constant slight draw (clock, etc.) and I do nothing at all on my Royal Enfield Bullet (no draw on the battery when shut down). Works a treat, no problems, good to go in the spring; just turn the key and give the battery a few seconds to "wake up" before hitting the starter. Bonus: they also weigh a fraction of what the lead-acid jobs do.
Yes I only hear good things about Lithium batteries in bikes...might have to look into that further.
Is it just me astounded by the number of high end bikes you have in that room!!
I know I'm late to the party but my optimate is 15 years old and my 15 year old bike that I bought new is still on the original battery that has been maintained the whole time by the optimate.
If it’s a Yuasa they’ll send you a new one for free!! - more details in my next bike news....
Optimate chargers are superb. I'm still using the one I bought in 2002 for a Lotus Elise and have another too. I always fit them to my bikes and simply plug in to bikes when not in use. I like the fact you have buy spares/parts for them so can have one charger but multiple cables fitted to different bikes as you've done.
Exactly!
Been using Optimate chargers over 10 years on my bikes, never had a battery fail yet. Watched a mechanic on Richy Vida's channel say you shouldn't leave them connected all the time, I completely disagree, I've never damaging a battery with an optimate. These things don't charge your battery all the time, most of the time they just test the charge level and only top up when required.
I was wondering the same after watching Richie's vid the other day. My assumption was they charged when needed and just monitored it after that. Mine are always on the optimate and I've not had any issues. Not saying the mechanic was wrong, but why would they say they can be left connected if they shag the batteries?
@@sjg6074 Yep, I completely get you shouldn't leave a conventional charger constantly charging a battery but these chargers don't do that.
Yes I was surprised by that RV video too - must ask him what battery charger he was using! That is the beauty of these intelligent chargers, they only charge when the bike battery needs it, not constantly....
And the issue wasn't the battery anyway
@@TheMissendenFlyer Yes RV's vid is a little contradictory as his battery was 7 or 8 years old and it was the wiring fault that caused the problems. I also have a voltmeter attached while charger connected and you can see what the optimate does, it's very clever. RV's mechanic has a lot of experience and he trusts him but to say batteries only last two years is nonsense I'm afraid.
I use a CTEK one, similar size and shape to the Optimate ones and you can buy the easy plugs for a few quid too. If you are on a budget, Aldi (and I guess Lidl at some point?) do an uncannily similar sized and shaped trickle charge for about £15, to which you could sort out some kind of fast connector. Both have motorbike battery programmes and do the desulphurisation trick. I read ongoing arguments about whether or not they work with Lithium batteries, but I'm not qualified to answer.
Yes, I can recommend the CTEK version as well. Has both bike and car charging options plus a battery conditioning function.
Great video always find your advice really useful as I'm a new bike rider so could use all the help I can get right now keep up the good work look forward to the next video 👍
Thank you! Stay tuned!
My 2 Optimates are +5 years old. Have yet to need new batteries on my small 'fleet'. One Optimate failed last year, showed permanent error, and the local Optimate Dealer in Cape Town repaired it very inexpensively, which I thought was brilliant. For the uninformed, Optimate is absolutely not a trickle charger, but a clever looping cycle of check, pause, pulse charge, check etc. Infinitely superior to trickle charging, or conventional periodic charging. Highly recommend.
Good to know thanks!
You should never leave an extension lead wound up...kettle effect it heats up.like that and destroys the lead and can possibly b fire hazard ...thanks fir videos though...they helped me pick my bike ...Ducati Supersport S
Great - Thanks Andy !
The original battery on my Daytona lasted 11 years thanks to using an Optimate, so they pay for themselves. Especially as I rotate it between all my bikes.
I don't have electricity in my garage, therefore I have to ride it.
Neither do I crappy shed but it's Dry , get an extension lead & mouse traps if needed
@@bigblue7091
A mouse trap, good idea.
Most of us here in the states use a product called "Battery Tender" I have some in use that are over 10 years old. I have never heard of Optimate chargers before though I see them for sale on Amazon...
I use the battery tender by deltran. Does the same job but it's completely waterproof. Great if you don't have a garage!
Thanks for posting. To date, I’ve hesitated installing quick connectors to charge the battery on my bike as I’ve never been sure if charging on bike could be hazardous to any electrical components. I have removed the battery and charged off bike using a 0.8A CTEK charger.
However, the process is a pain!
You’ve shown it’s quite safe to install quick connectors and charge on your bikes. I think bike electrics are isolated as long as the bike is OFF and you should always disconnect the charger before switching bike ON. Have you had any issues?
My bike is a DR650 and I tend to charge every 2-3 months. Would be simpler with a quick connector.
Kind regards.
Nope, no issues at all
I've used a solar charger for years. Wire it in like an Optimate, and leave the solar panel in the garage window. Charges during the day and has never let me down. Costs about £20 and zero running costs!
Nice one!
@Seamus McShamish I should add that my storage doesn't have mains power and I wasn't up for running long extension leads all year round or the risk of fire from being left unattended. Lots of bike/boat/classic car owners have the same issue.
After 15 ish years, I haven't had any problems cranking/starting, but I'm sure your fancy gold plated optimate with flashy LED lights will make any motorbike go faster and justify the cost.
Interesting, I use biketrac on my previous and current bike, the Biketrac team has provided excellent support and so far I got a battery flat for not riding for a bit over a month. 3 days seems a bit too little, don't you think? I can have peace of mind with Biketrac, it also sends me an SMS and email when the battery is getting low, so I know I need to do my compulsory ride :D
They also deal with all the hassle in the occasion of the bike being moved/stolen with the police, so that's a plus for me.
Maybe they use more power if they’re in a garage where they can’t get a GPS lock so they’re always searching? Just a thought.
Yes I wondered if that was the case too Phil - I have no problem with Biketrac service, although they have never warned me of a low battery like David Silva's does above....would be great if they did!!
@@TheMissendenFlyer I've left my RT with Biketrac for over a week with no discharge problems (not tried it longer than that yet). The app is set to alert me if the battery goes below 11.7V (configurable) but it never has, so I don't know if that works or not...
Nice collection. My gsa also drains the battery quite fast. The alarm, I suppose...
Happy 2020!
for people without a garage but with a topbox look into installing a solar panel on top of it
Nice garage mate thanks for the tips
You’re very welcome!
I use an Optimate for my R1200RT and it plugs straight into the factory charge outlet built into the fairing.
Badass mancave!!!!
Thank you!
I’ve got a couple of optimates - mine last a bit longer without being connected up, but neither has an alarm/tracker. I’ve just bought a ‘Suaoki’ battery charger too - very good compatibility, works with standard batteries as well as lithium ion. It can also charge 6v batteries and has a ‘cold weather’ mode. It has charged two of my cars perfectly. It also has the intelligence of an optimate, dropping the voltage and current as battery reaches full charge, and then goes into maintenance mode. Of interest however is RichyVida’s recent video, where his mechanic recommended that chargers should all be switched off every week or so, before switching on again...
Yes I think that was an old school trickle charger, not an intelligent charger like these that looks to see if the battery needs charging or recycling and tops up when needed through pulsed charging....
My Tiger Sport 2014 has a power socket L/H under tank and I bought the Triumph/Optimate charger and was provided by Triumph with an adapter to plug into the socket. This means I don't have to many leads directly connected to the battery inc. Satnav and running lights. Still using the same battery and I leave mine plugged in pretty much 24/7 all year round when I am not riding.
Nice 1 TMF. Happy New Year
...and you Lyn.
Whichever charger you use (I use Noco Genius which are very similar) be sure to use the correct mode if you have Lithium battery fitted to bike, as using the wrong mode can damage battery.
Looks like someone needs to build an addition on that garage!
I wish!
Hi, I have had to deal with a couple of garage fires over the years (Insurance assessor for my sins!) where a rolled extension lead (such as noted in your video) has overheated and caused a fire, the load the Optimates place should not be too much but one chap had plugged something else in and overheated the wiring (don't fully remember the science bit!) and a few days later garage burnt down with his classic car inside! Fire brigade were very exited to advise any rolled extension must be fully 'unwound' before use. Just a thought - bikes can be replaced but a fire in a garage is a terrifying prospect as normally attached to your house and that's where you are!
Yikes! ....and yes you are of course right...
Yes the dreaded coil of inductance "eddy currents" the wrapped lead will heat up if too much electrical load is put on it!
Should blow the trip first though but as mentioned fires have started this way!
Best to uncoil the whole lead from the spool
Steady on! We're talking about a trickle charger which draws probably 20 watt (at max; less once batt charged) not a kettle, floor sander or whatever drawing 2000 watt. I bet the heat generated in the cable is imperceptible.
TMF: go put your hand on your coiled cable now and tell us if it feels warm...
@@kemosabe1 You are correct........but it's still good practice to un coil the reel of cable
@@kemosabe1 Hi Paul. If you read the comment it refers to a case where the wound extension lead had apparently been used to power an additional appliance for a short period a day or two before. The extension thus had suffered damage in the lower winding (melting the insulation). Apparently the heating process occurs with relatively low amperage and the heat starts to warm the cable. There's lots of boring science and like all safety related engineering it refers to the theoretical possibility of overload and as such I have yet to see any manufacturer of such extensions advising they can be used wound on reel!.
So basically the way to keep motorbike batteries from going flat over winter is to use a suitable charger. Ingenious.
👍
Thanks!
I use an Optimate 4 with the Canbus programme for my R1200R ,and charge the battery through the BMW accessory socket that is similar to a cigarette lighter one, but smaller . ..
Happy new year Mr flyer!
...and to you Rutger!
Was this video inspired by Mr Vida's recent battery charging issues?
Great info for us noobs TMF! All the best for 2020!
Nope - recorded this before he published his...
I just disconnect the battery from the motocycle for winter and thats it. Never had any problems :)
Fair enough - wouldn’t work for me as I do try and ride my bikes through winter and if I had to keep connecting/disconnecting the battery the hassle would put me off...
Were you not listening/watching? MF has trackers/alarms on some of his bikes that drains their batteries, so needs a top up system. He also tries to ride them through out the winter. Frequently connecting and disconnecting them would be a right PITA for him.
Think I have the answer to this one... Ride them!
That is a good answer!
Very important to use a battery charger specifically designed for motorcycle battery..not the one for a car. I made that mistake and found that the car charger damages the battery pretty quickly and you'll end up replacing it.
Looking forward to your heated jacket review !
Stay tuned!
Oops,and a happy and safe biking year✌️
...and to you!
I like these devices and use four, 2 bikes, 2 cars. I let one AGM car battery get very low (did not disconnect and the tracker drained it) down to 1v. Optimate rescued it and the battery lives on. Richy's Mechanic seems to be a good guy and what he said was certainly true with trickle chargers, but optimate are intelligent chargers and the way I understand it is that they are designed to be connected all the time. The life people get from their batteries and absence of reported issues seems to back this up. It might be worth TMF talking to optimate to verify this, but in my view, they do what it says on the tin and there is zero evidence to the contrary. I know in a perfect world we would ride the bikes and not have this issue, but I seem to remember even the Mighty TMF had a flat battery issue on his street triple at some point. First world problems I know...Happy 2020 to you and yours TMF. A most entertaining year for your channel and looking forwards to more in 2020..especially linking up with the other vloggers.
Cheers Vernon and yes that I believe is the difference between my "intellingent" set up and old school trickle chargers. All the best and Happy New Year....
@@TheMissendenFlyer it will be when I get all my dentistry issues out of the way! last of the root canals done today...just a crown to go..hopefully..
Good one TMF, always a good thing to remind folks how things are done
Is your garage heated? Mine is not. Would that make a difference? Should I take the battery out of the bike and charge it in the house?
No the garage isn’t heated - my personal issue is those trackers I have fitted, prior to that my batteries never let me down...
@@TheMissendenFlyer thanks for the reply , I felt better about my set up then
Always a good idea to keep batteries topped up when not in use. I use a Cetek charger that can charge normal and Agm batteries which Bmw use on their later bikes. I am planning to upgrade to a Lithium Ion battery and charger when the current one gives up the ghost on the Rt.
It's worth noting that Lithium batteries need a different charging method and not all Optimates etc are designed for them. It's best to get a maintenance charger specifically designed for lithium batteries. Lithium batteries can hold a charge far better than other batteries so just disconnecting them is all that's really needed.
@@stevecade857 thanks for the heads up. Already looking at Li Ion chargers. Should also save around 3kg on the new battery as well as all the benefits compared to lead acid...
@@brankojerbic6040I've been looking for a lithium battery for my 790 Adv but it's not yet available. Looking for that significant weight reduction as well especially as the standard battery is high up at the back of the fuel tank. Done some research on using a maintenance charger and it turns out they need a different charging regime so unless the charger is designed for lithium you could end up damaging that new expensive battery.
@@stevecade857 Yes, a new Li Ion battery will need a specific Li Ion charger but i think the long term benefits will justify the investment.
How do you like your 790Adv ? I've been looking at the 690 Enduro R as a dual sport to take on fire trails and off road...
@@brankojerbic6040 Love it. It's the Adv R with seriously good suspension. I was looking at the 690/701 but after taking a test ride I really didn't like the engine. Just to rough for my taste. The 790 though was a whole different proposition. It is surprisingly good off road. Much better than I am that's for sure. The electronics really help lift it from being and adventure bike into the dual sport class imho.
Your man cave is the nuts btw ! Thanks for the info.
Thank you rigman70!
If you keep using the large blue extension reel without unwinding then you are going to waste it.Acts as a coil and cable will go brittle near the centre first.
BMW’s come fitted with a merit socket which you can use for charging so I have my Beemer charger and on my other bikes I’ve attached SAE plugs and I swap the charger around every few days. I also put a small solar panel on an old scooter that’s buried deep in the garage and that worked ok too. It’s all part of the fun.
Never seen you out on that Pany in the Winter... hardly shifts during the Summer! 😂
Clearly you're not watching close enough - here's some evidence...a ride on my Panigale in December ruclips.net/video/XCN7gXImnn8/видео.html
I’ve used Optimate’s since passing my test 17 years ago, never a problem & cost less than £1 a year plugged in permanently.
I would advise unreeling the extension lead though or best off buying a smaller one as it could catch on fire.
Happy new year Andy, looking forward to the new content.
You too Cotti and thanks for the advice - not the first to mention it!
Love your man cave and collection. Any advice on how to convince the misses on having one like yours?
Go for it - beg forgiveness rather than ask for permission....
Hey Andy. Saw you used to use the Oxford chargers. What made you change? Hi from Portugal. Hope you’re enjoying your trip here.
The Oxford charger was good for a year or two then the main lead frayed and eventually broke where it fits into the charger….so I went optimate which have more substantial leads…
Here in Canada it gets brutally cold, I have lithium battery I just have a 25 year old trickle charger they say you should not use them with lithium batteries, I've had no issues.
Nice one! ...stay lucky!!
Funny you should put this up a week or so after I emailed you about smart charging the GS😂😂
Good video though I'd watch the fully coiled extension as heat can build and lead to a fire
Yes several others have made the same comment.
Seeing a comment below, I also watched the Richie Vida video the other day, where his mechanic said not to leave them connected all the time, only switch on for a few hours a week. Mine are always connected and I have not had any issues, and had always assumed they could be left switched on once connected to the bike?
If they are an intelligent charger (like these Optimates) then yes - they don't charge all the time, they are designed to be constantly connected. If it's a plain ol' trickle charger that is always on then RV's mechanic may have a point......
Mine are all Optimates as you have, so they will remain in all the time 👍🏻 I also have Monimoto Trackers following your recommendation and they are brilliant!
S J G I agree with you and do the same
You must never use an Extension Cable with wire coiled up tight like yours...Those extensions are desigened to be use with the cable stretched out and off the reel....Coiled up cable becomes a transformer and the coil of wire tends to produce heat 😐
Thanks Charlie - several have mentioned the same.....
TMF likes a heated garage. He films a lot in there. How much current do you think the maintenance chargers are drawing?
@@stevecade857 not very much but its not good practice....especially broadcasting it
Hi there, where do you get the connector wiring that is permanently connected to the battery? I assume that charging the battery whilst connected to the bike does not harm the bike electrics in any way. So no need to disconnect the battery?
A like Optimate❤️
My bike spends its life outside, I got alarm, bluetooth battery monitor, but no tracker I charge it once every 3 weeks or so, I use oxford oximiser 900, my fly lead is under passenger seat. My bike is 00 ZX-6R J1
Started uncoupling the battery and trickling it in the kitchen where it's warm. Is this a good idea? Reason being -is charging in a freezing shed a waste of time?
Not a waste of time but doing it in the warm is always more comfortable (if a bit of hassle)
I take all my motorcycle and lawn tractot batteries out and keep them tickled in my home, too cold over the canadian winter in the garage
Marty, I have the same routine. Batteries last a lot longer that way.
Great video mate, where did you buy your fly leads?
Off the web somewhere!
What do you do for a living mr flyer ? Your a lucky man to have all them bikes. My fave is def the street triple
This and that!
Fair do’s 🤷🏼♂️
What is winter?
😍🇦🇺🥇💪
😜
I was wondering why my batteries kept going dead over a week or so. I have a tracker on my bike. Did not realize the drain they put on a bike
Yes they are a pain aren't they....
Can you suggest me which one is better to use with BMW G 310R Optimate 1 or Optimate 4...which version is perfect for bmw g310 r...
nice stuff