AGM batteries & Optimate 4

[Demongroover]

The battery saga continues...

I have Optimate II and IIIsp, both of which don't seem man enough to fully charge an sealed Maintenance Free AGM battery such as the OE battery or an Oddysey.
I have rejuvenated both of my OE batteries and my Oddysey with the use of a car charger (greater ampage) but I would like a trickle charger that is up to the job as I have more than one bike that needs keeping topped up.

So, the big question is: Is the Optimate Mk 4 fit for purpose?

I have searched the internet for documentation thereon, and the bumf here, taken from their website says it now is.
Does anyone have any comment or proof to the contrary before I fork out on another Optimate charger, or is there a better alternative available?





OptiMate 4: The new standard – The truly unique diagnostic battery optimiser for all types of rechargeable 12V lead-acid batteries up to 50Ah, whether sealed “maintenance-free” AGM, gel, or "flooded" type with filler caps.

Like all OptiMate models before it, the new microprocessor controlled OptiMate 4 can save neglected batteries. OptiMate 4 is even more effective, with a new dual-stage RECOVERY + TURBO RECOVERY action. OptiMate 4 will automatically engage the RECOVERY mode if it detects a partly deep-discharged battery. However, for more severely neglected batteries, the TURBO RECOVERY mode engages automatically to attempt desulphation.

OptiMate 4 then charges the battery, verifies that the battery is as fully charged as its state of health allows and then checks for dead battery cells. But OptiMate 4 adds the following new features: -

Maximum output current increased to 0.8A without increasing energy consumption
48 hour time limit on stages up to the first of the cyclic tests for battery drain to avoid wasting time and energy on batteries with a shorted cell
19 possible LED indications displayed on 10 LEDs on the new control panel
5 possible results of the hourly tests for power drain / retention are displayed on a combination of green, yellow & red test LEDs
IP64 weatherproof sealed housing with built-in replaceable wall mounting lugs
New cable bushings avoid insulation stress in ultra-cold temperatures
New "glide-guide" connector pin inserts align connector pins perfectly and seal the connector cable entries.

 

[tommygun]

Demon - I've got an Optimate 4. Have recharged both OE and Odyssey batteries within a 36 hour period. Both batteries died a few days later. Whether this Optimate is up to the job is unknown. Optimate will tell you yes and BMW and Odyssey will recommend their own brand.

I take it then that you've had no joy after the latest recharge?

T

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Currently using an Optimate 3 on my 2 BMW OE Battery equipped 1100 and 1150Adv GS's

Using a C-TEK XS3600 on my Odyssey equipped R11RT and all seems well

During Winter storage (Dec> March)
I just plug them in for 24-36 hours at a time and then leave them a couple of weeks, before re-starting the process

I believe leaving them on 'trickle charge' does more harm than good (despite what Optimate say) over winter and just use the charge once a month

 

[Demongroover]

Demon - I've got an Optimate 4. Have recharged both OE and Odyssey batteries within a 36 hour period. Both batteries died a few days later. Whether this Optimate is up to the job is unknown. Optimate will tell you yes and BMW and Odyssey will recommend their own brand.

I take it then that you've had no joy after the latest recharge?

T

So far so good, the 1200 GS is starting and running ok still, with no further charging. Currently sat outside in the snow.
I am wanting a trickle charger that can recognise discharge and boost accordingly, rather than me having to use the car charger.
I have emailed Accumate / Optimate with a very pointed enquiry.
I await their response.

 

[Greg Masters]

Can't speak for the Optimate 2 as I've never had one but the Optimate 3 is certainly well capable of maintaining a float charge on an AGM bike battery.

If needs be, an Optimate will charge a discharged battery - but it's not what they are really designed to do - it will take some time.

I used an Optimate 3 on my OE BMW battery for 9 years and 10 month before the battery finally died of old age!

Plug them in and then don't touch them again until you're just about to ride your bike.

Greg

 

[Demongroover]

Can't speak for the Optimate 2 as I've never had one but the Optimate 3 is certainly well capable of maintaining a float charge on an AGM bike battery.

If needs be, an Optimate will charge a discharged battery - but it's not what they are really designed to do - it will take some time.

I used an Optimate 3 on my OE BMW battery for 9 years and 10 month before the battery finally died of old age!

Plug them in and then don't touch them again until you're just about to ride your bike.

Greg

Optimate 2 & 3 won't rejuvenate from deep discharge.
I had to use 6 amp charger to bring back up, then switch to Optimate to maintain.My Odyssey wouldn't turn the bike over at all despite reading charged on Optimate and 12.8v on multimeter.

 

[Greg Masters]

My Odyssey wouldn't turn the bike over at all despite reading charged on Optimate and 12.8v on multimeter.

That's probably a good indication that yours is an ex-battery.

Greg

 

[Demongroover]

That's probably a good indication that yours is an ex-battery.

Greg

Not necessarily, as i managed to revive all of them with a higher ampage car charger, all now working ok. But I am after a trickle charger with the higher ampage capability.

 

[tonkatoy]

I've used Optimates since they first showed up and other than failing after about 5 or 6 years they've always done me proud. So proud in fact that my 12 year old Blackbird still has the original battery installed. I've just switched to the Oxford Oximisers because they actually show the battery voltage and the charge rate on an LCD display rather than me having to dig out the multimeter, but none of my bikes have ever complained, and one of them has a car sized battery, so if it's man enough for that then I don't think there's a problem with the maintain cycle.

If it's a question of giving the battery a kick from dead flat then I could see that the current might be a bit low, but my solution is not to get there in the first place.

1. Park bike in garage
2. Connect Optimate/Oximiser
3. switch on
4. leave alone for minutes/hours/days/weeks/months
5. switch off Optimate/Oximiser
6. disconnect from bike
7. start bike
8. ride away

So far so good. And it's cost me less in Optimates/Oximisers than people are spending on batteries so I can't be too far out. And for the record - 1. I've not replaced a battery since I started using Optimates. 2. I've got nothing to do with either company.

 

[tommygun]

May as well get a G-Wiz then..

 

[smartbear]

stretched

the lead wont reach that far

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

C-Tek has just topped up the Odyssey installed on the R11RT in less than 24 hours and just plugged the Optimate into my 5 year old 1150GSA this afternoon, still on Original BMW Battery and back to full charge in less than 2 hours

 

[Beemerman59]

Only going on my own experience but have had an Optimate SPIII for about 6 years now and use it to charge the lead acid battery in my CB900, the Westco AGM battery in my K1100 and the OEM 2 year old battery in the GSA. So far without any issues whatsoever. If you let batteries get that low in the first place I think it's asking a lot of a charger to bring a battery back to life all the time despite manufacturers claims. I wouldn't trust it to start the bike at 11pm 100 miles from home so would buy a new one and keep it topped up occasionally.

 

[hiup]

I tried to purchase a new BMW Can-Bus type charger at Cannons last Saturday. I was told BMW no longer sell them! I had to by an Optimate instead.

 

[GSband]

...

... but my solution is not to get there in the first place.

1. Park bike in garage
2. Connect Optimate/Oximiser
3. switch on
4. leave alone for minutes/hours/days/weeks/months
5. switch off Optimate/Oximiser
6. disconnect from bike
7. start bike
8. ride away

...

+1
That's exactly what I do as soon as T° drops. BMW battery with a BMW (Canbusready) charger. My GS stands in a non heated shed. 3 winters 54000km/36000miles and no probs so far.

 

[Max]

I have used C-Tek chargers for several years both on the bike and on an assortment of farm batteries. These are fantastic bits of kit, extends the life of any battery by several years. The smallest unit will tackle most batteries and mine is never switched off.
No experience of any other brands.

 

[Demongroover]

Response from Optimate:



Hello Simon,
Thank you for your email. We are sorry that you have experienced problems with recharging your battery. OptiMate chargers are suitable for use with AGM batteries and are developed from the BatteryMate – the first workshop charger designed for commissioning, test and recovery of AGM powersport batteries. Starter Batteries can develop capacity problems which are normally caused by deep discharging, it is for this reason why starter batteries should be kept fully saturated. In rare circumstances it may require additional charge cycles recover lost capacity. Also bear in mind that low ambient temperatures affect the required charge voltage. OptiMate has its parameters set for a 20C nominal figure and at 0C a battery could accept a charge to almost 0.5V higher.
Although OptiMate is designed as a preventative rather than a cure the recovery stage will allow the battery to accept a charge should it become discharge enough to warrant this. Most smart chargers will not engage below 7 – 8V, OptiMate will initiate its charge at just below 2V. Please bear in mind than in order to cover a full range of power sport SLI batteries the bulk charge current is limited to point where it can be safely used on a 2.5Ah battery.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information
Regards
Karl Dowden
Shadowfax Engineering

 

[Demongroover]

So far so good, the 1200 GS is starting and running ok still, with no further charging. Currently sat outside in the snow.
I am wanting a trickle charger that can recognise discharge and boost accordingly, rather than me having to use the car charger.
.

Battery dead again, reading 12.2v on the voltmeter.
Emailed those nice people at Nippy.
Finger crossed.