Battery Charging

[B4ndit]

Is it possible to charge an 1150 GS via the accesory socket near the starter motor?

This is my Charger - http://www.getgeared.co.uk/OXFORD_Maximiser_360T_Universal_12V_Battery_Charger

 

[NeilDD]

Yes
But check the contacts for green fur (corrosion)

 

[B4ndit]

Cleaned them up. With a wire brush and ACF 50.

I have been lent a connector made by Touratech that will connect to the Maximiser so I am hoping it all works.

 

[Big Al Litch]

Been using a CTEK unit connected through the accessory socket on my 2003 1150GS (Servo ABS model with heated grips) for the past 3-years and it works very well, I connect it up every time I park up in the garage.

Still on the original battery.

 

[motobiker]

Yep... I have a GEL battery too. heated grips. ABS. Lives outside.

Got a charger.. but not used it for more than 3 years now. I'll know when it does need to be used... thats so easy. The bike will have an ABS start-up error.

But.. none so far. so no point using the charger.

now.. thinking back it was used a lot when the bike had a non-standard lead/acid. but since I went back to the OE Gel... its been perfect.

Seems pointless to me using a charger when the battery clearly doesn't need it.

Might be different if you have a power hungry alarm fitted... i don't.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

Yep... I have a GEL battery too. heated grips. ABS. Lives outside.

Got a charger.. but not used it for more than 3 years now. I'll know when it does need to be used... thats so easy. The bike will have an ABS start-up error.

But.. none so far. so no point using the charger.

now.. thinking back it was used a lot when the bike had a non-standard lead/acid. but since I went back to the OE Gel... its been perfect.

Seems pointless to me using a charger when the battery clearly doesn't need it.

Might be different if you have a power hungry alarm fitted... i don't.

An intelligent battery charger is not necessary for day to day running of vehicle. Although it will massively prolong the life of said battery. People feel better saying they don’t need a charger when their bike lives outside....
Also, the charger will prevent the day you go to use the vehicle and it wont start !
My original battery lasted ten years. You could halve that if it was left outside, not used daily and not on a charger.
So, a battery on a charger and used often is better than no charger.

 

[motobiker]

An intelligent battery charger is not necessary for day to day running of vehicle. Although it will massively prolong the life of said battery. People feel better saying they don’t need a charger when their bike lives outside....
Also, the charger will prevent the day you go to use the vehicle and it wont start !
My original battery lasted ten years. You could halve that if it was left outside, not used daily and not on a charger.
So, a battery on a charger and used often is better than no charger.

1 my bike is used daily.. except when I'm 'snowed in' - which at worst is just for a week or so.
2. The bike does live outside yes.. but I do have a power source handy for it. but its not needed.
3. If the battery suddenly died.. that is due to some other fault. Im not sure how an optimiser would save that. normally when a battery dies (and not due to a steady drain) its a slow process.. with plenty of warning.. Not overnight.
3. Its not something I'll worry about too much.. a new GEL battery isn't exactly expensive. Im not a tight git. If the battery lasts less than 10yrs I won't cry.

The optimate showed 'green' for the old lead/acid battery I had. So said it was fine.. even though it was clearly on its way out with daily ABS faults. they're not a panacea.

I will rely on the bike telling me there's a problem looming rather than a little green light that tells lies.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

1 my bike is used daily.. except when I'm 'snowed in' - which at worst is just for a week or so.
2. The bike does live outside yes.. but I do have a power source handy for it. but its not needed.
3. If the battery suddenly died.. that is due to some other fault. Im not sure how an optimiser would save that. normally when a battery dies (and not due to a steady drain) its a slow process.. with plenty of warning.. Not overnight.
3. Its not something I'll worry about too much.. a new battery isn't exactly expensive. Im not a tight git. If the battery lasts less than 10yrs I won't cry.

And finally.. The optimate showed 'green' for the old lead/acid battery i had. So said it was fine.. even though it was clearly on its way out with daily ABS faults. they're not a panacea.

I will rely on the bike telling me there's a problem looming rather than a little green light that tells lies.

You do make I larff Motobiker bloke.... I was posting in general. not a go at you, your not that special, although a complete cock
Simple fact. A charger will give your battery longer life
Especially as like me the bike is only used for brilliant trips abroad and not every day !
Would you like a cuddle ?

 

[Black Rooster]

optimate

i use an optimate on my 1100GS with an opsprey battery all the time via the accessory socket just need an adapter to change from din to fag socket

hope it helps

 

[MattW]

As with others, my bike lives on a 'smart' charger (Ctek in my case).

The bike isn't used every day, just for playing out and trips so I (and I'm sure the battery) feel happier keeping it on a float charge.

YMMV

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

As with others, my bike lives on a 'smart' charger (Ctek in my case).

The bike isn't used every day, just for playing out and trips so I (and I'm sure the battery) feel happier keeping it on a float charge.

YMMV

DITTO

 

[STUBBS]

every little helps mine is used nearly every day but when parked up at home its on a charger via the accessory socket

 

[motobiker]

You do make I larff Motobiker bloke.... I was posting in general. not a go at you,

then don't quote me.. and answer me directly with puerile comments like:

People feel better saying they don’t need a charger when their bike lives outside.

simple.

maybe I would feel different about Optimisers If I didn't feel so ripped off by Optimate. As I said.. It told lies. said the battery was 'Ok' when the battery was actually near death. Since I've gone back to using an Exide gel.. the bike has been perfect and so the Optimate has just gathered dust. Pile of crap it is.

It would be no effort for me to use it. But I don't trust it. simple as that.

I should have bought the C-Tek.

But at the time. the consensus on this forum was 'Optimate FTW'. and like a fool I listened.

 

[ahutcheon]

I probably shouldn't wade in, but...

Lead-acid batteries don't like to be discharged, optimisers (Optimate et al) are clever enough to bring them up to full charge at bulk-charge voltage then to drop down to (harmless) float charge voltage and keep them there. Good for irregularly used bikes, particularly with a power drain such as an alarm.

Any clever charger is guessing at battery health based on battery voltage. The real test is battery behaviour under load (e.g. cranking the engine). So if they say the battery is f***ed they're almost certainly right, but a pretty f***ed battery can still hold enough no-load voltage to seem OK.

Your Optimate may be fine for keeping the battery good, but unreliable at telling you when the battery has gone bad.

 

[MattW]

Your Optimate may be fine for keeping the battery good, but unreliable at telling you when the battery has gone bad.

Spot on

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

Spot on

In a nut shell....

 

[biggles12]

Not sure on the new Optimate but the older ones can loose their programming. I use to sell them. We had loads of people complain about them and checking a few we found they would discharge more than charge. I wasn't the person doing the check so can't give more details.
If your Optimate is playing up it might be the same thing.