Optimate 2 blows up Alarm?

[Banger]

Who leaves their optimate trickle charger on all the time whilst not using it even if it says its fully charged?
Who only recharges the night before a ride?

Speaking to a rider today and he said that he used to leave it on constantly and one day it blew up his Datatool Alarm

He was told this is not possible by Datatool services

Is that not the whole idea of the trickle to keep it on constantly? I have a Datatool on mine and it gets the mind racing and niggles at you even though you know it cant of been the charger.
Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem

 

[(RIP) Mark Dilloway]

Stays on all the time - when not on the road! Same for my Blade with Datatool a few years ago. No probs.

 

[Greg Masters]

Both of my Optimates are used every opportunity I get. The GS is hooked up for weeks at a time, the DR-Z goes on every night.

Never had a problem with either batteries or electronic stuff.

Greg

 

[stumpi]

Can't see how it'd blow the alarm.

Got mine on my Duke, plugged in all the time, alarms fine and has been for a couple of years.
You do after all just connect it to the battery, they charge at something rediculous like 0.2 of an amp.

 

[Greg Masters]

...they charge at something rediculous like 0.2 of an amp.

Actually, they will charge at 0.6 amps, but it's the voltage that more likely to screw the electronics.

The Optimate starts off at up to 20v if the battery is suphated before floating at no more than 13.6v.

Optimate firmly hold the view that their units will not screw any electronics.

Greg

 

[stumpi]

Actually, they will charge at 0.6 amps, but it's the voltage that more likely to screw the electronics.

The Optimate starts off at up to 20v if the battery is suphated before floating at no more than 13.6v.

Optimate firmly hold the view that their units will not screw any electronics.

Greg

I stand corrected.
Thanks

 

[wessie]

Who leaves their optimate trickle charger on all the time whilst not using it even if it says its fully charged?
Who only recharges the night before a ride?

Speaking to a rider today and he said that he used to leave it on constantly and one day it blew up his Datatool Alarm

He was told this is not possible by Datatool services

Is that not the whole idea of the trickle to keep it on constantly? I have a Datatool on mine and it gets the mind racing and niggles at you even though you know it cant of been the charger.
Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem

Auto electrics have very inconsistent power supplies. The voltages go up and down through quite a range as different components are powered on/off.

Consequently, any electronic component should have independent control circuitry to smooth out these fluctuations. Datatool market a similar product to the Optimate, you would think that they would design their products to accommodate normal everyday fluctuations and those that occur during charging.

If the Datatool failed through the use of a charger then I would suspect a poorly designed or faulty alarm rather than the charger. I had a Datatool alarm which packed up and know of too many others that have failed over the years. I wouldn't use their products even if they were free.

 

[GSmonkey]

Actually, they will charge at 0.6 amps, but it's the voltage that more likely to screw the electronics.

The Optimate starts off at up to 20v if the battery is suphated before floating at no more than 13.6v.

Optimate firmly hold the view that their units will not screw any electronics.

Greg

True, but optimate say that the unit will never go into desulphate mode when still connected to the bike, as the few milliamps draw from the alarm, etc. is enough to make the optimate not go into de-sulphate mode.

If you measure the optimate, when first connected it goes up to about 14.5V, which is similar to your alternator charge voltage.

Never had a problem on other bikes and have now connected it to the 12GS c/w canbus and again problem free.

 

[thauma]

I used an optimate 2 on a ducati 996 with datatool alarm/immobiliser.

Used it everyday for 4 years (except when riding ofcourse). Never a problem, bike always stared, alarm always worked.

I'd buy another in this range - if I didn't already have one!!!

 

[Banger]

I used an optimate 2 on a ducati 996 with datatool alarm/immobiliser.

Used it everyday for 4 years (except when riding ofcourse). Never a problem, bike always stared, alarm always worked.

I'd buy another in this range - if I didn't already have one!!!

On that note, Whats the difference between the optimate 2 and 3?
Is it worth Upgrading?