Optimate over Winter

[Georgeeboi]

Point taken chaps I won't start it unless I'm going out for a ride.

 

[kennyc]

Is the Oxford optimiser 600 subject to the same views above ? Got one at the NEC last week and the instructions made no reference to leaving it plugged in or not all the time.

I've left mine plugged into my RT11 dash for weeks at a time with no ill effects.

 

[Geno]

Just ordered a battery lead for the Wing so will be moving the optimate between both the GS and Wing ,, way to much hassle to keep pulling off side cover to get at battery .

 

[alanbmwgs]

Once a week for 12 hours connected to a Timer... Plug and Forget

 

[shuck raider]

Just changed my 2003 1150 GS OEM battery last month, exactly 9 years after purchase. Although it still cranked up OK, the clock began to re-set so I thought it was time for another OEM jobbie. Going to try for 10 years this time
The old one had been on permanent Optimate storage (when not being ridden, obviously ) since the first day I brought the bike home

 

[Steptoe]

.
If the Optimate is unplugged/switched off but still connected to the battery, will the battery discharge through the Optimate?

Good question. I found out by accident earlier this year that one of my optimates disharges the battery if connected and not switched on.
Battery went flat on the harley when i accidently turned off the optimate. Did a few tests and it was discharging the battery if not switched on.

I don't know if they all do, as i've not tried it on my other optimates

My GS's, Harley and 250 honda stand for months without a charge without any problems. The Guzzi i leave on an optimate

 

[rce]

Once a week for 12 hours connected to a Timer... Plug and Forget

So the optimate is discharging your battery for 156 hours a week

 

[Big Nick]

Plug mine in for a couple of days every week or two when the bikes aren't getting used

Only time I've replaced a battery was when one got to 5 years old

Optimates are essential kit for us fair weather bikers!

 

[Greg Masters]

I don't get this connecting and disconnecting business.

An Optimate and the charging algorithm it uses are designed for battery maintenance "for months at a time".

Each time you reconnect the Optimate, it throws a higher charge at the battery than the 'float' charge cycle which is established later in the algorithm sequence.

I leave my Optimates continuously connected at all times when I'm not riding my bike. As a result, the OE battery on my GS lasted a few weeks short of 10 years.

The MAINTENANCE CHARGE CYCLE consists of 30 minute float charge periods followed by and alternating with a 30 minute ‘rest’ periods, during which there is no charge current. This “50% duty cycle” prevents loss of electrolyte in sealed batteries and minimizes gradual loss of water from the electrolyte in batteries with filler caps, and thereby contributes significantly to optimizing the service life of irregularly or seasonally used batteries. The circuit offers current to the battery within a safe 13,6V voltage limit (“float charge”), allowing it to draw whatever small current is necessary to sustain it at (or close to) full charge and compensate for any small electrical loads imposed by vehicle accessories or on-board computer, or the natural gradual self-discharge of the battery itself.​

 

[Steptoe]

I don't get this connecting and disconnecting business.

Nor do i..... Connect it and forget about it. Let it switch itself on and off

 

[araspitfire]

I left mine on (mostly) when the bike was in the Garage... 2005 bike, original battery lasted until 2011.

Al..

 

[cookie]

I left mine on (mostly) when the bike was in the Garage... 2005 bike, original battery lasted until 2011.

Al..

yeah, but i have an odyssey of similar age, rarely seen a charger. been on 3 bikes - still going strong

charger - no charger - it's all bollocks

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

I'm sure my optimate allowed my battery to last ten years too

Where's Fanum to tell us all the truth. They wear your rings, Make ya tires wear out quicker and give you VD ?

 

[ahutcheon]

I'd leave the Optimate connected: they charge up to 14.4v then switch to a 13.8v float (voltages from memory so may not be exact), just like battery manufacturers recommend (for deep discharge batteries using the same lead-acid chemistry; bike batteries don't bother to say how best to charge them perhaps because the bike charging circuit is pretty unsubtle).

Connect it periodically if you want to keep pushing up to the higher voltage (can't imagine why) - the bike regulator will be 14.something volts and the battery gets that longer than the Optimate pushes it out if you ride far and often.

Summary: whatever, it'll be OK.

 

[Wapping]

You've got a friend..... In Optimate

On a bike that is laid up over winter

So which way is best?

All the time or occasionally?

I tend to pop it on for 3-4 hours (until both green lights are glowing) every 3-4 weeks - this is the option I favour, but just asking if there is another way

Is this correct or should I charge for 2 days each month or just leave it on all the time?

I don't know what is best for you.

But I can tell you what works best for me:

Hooking up four Optimates to four motorcycles and leaving them in place and on 24/7/365 (winter, spring, summer or fall, as Carole King put it) with no adverse problems at all over many years.

 

[Greg Masters]

Here's an Optimate algorithm.

By consistently disconnecting and reconnecting you'd be repeating the bulk charge cycle which the battery probably doesn't need. Far better to leave connected on the float charge cycle.