The dreaded Optimate thread resurfaces!!!

[Ragnar]

Yes, I know, I know - I have used the search button before anyone says anything

I want to get an Optimate for my bikes (R1 and KTM as well as the GSA). The only thing putting me off is the whole frying the CAN-Bus issue.

Now, I plan to directly connect directly to the battery and not try to go through the accessory socket, so I just wondered: If it ever goes into desulphate mode, will the electronics be OK?

Side issue: the R1 battery is probably as flat as a pancake at the moment. Will the Optimate charge it from dead?

TIA,
David.

 

[wilbjr21]

You could buy an Accumate if your a little jittery. This will do what you wish and not generate a potentially harmful voltage.

 

[Ragnar]

Hadn't realised they were manufactured by the same company - I thought they were competitors!

Even more to think about now

 

[ovenpaa]

I hang an Optimate directly off the battery on my HP2 without issues. my experience of recovering a stone dead battery has been mixed in that it failed completely on my Adventure after I left the side lights on for a long while but seemed to work fine on the Ducati.

This is probably more down to battery age, duration of discharge, time of year, direction of wind, how your luck is at the time

I am happy enough with my Optimate and if I really had to moan about it then I would say the bloody leads are too stiff.

 

[GSmonkey]

The charger will only go into desulphate mode when the battery accepts no current at charging voltage. However, Optimate say that the steady state load of even a switched off bike (particularly with an alarm) will be sufficient to mean that the optimate will never go into desulphate mode if the battery is still connected to the bike.

If you're really concerned about it don't connect your optimate to a completely dead battery always take it out of the bike to charge.

I have to say that I've never fried any of my bikes electrics with the optimate and most of the latest bikes have all had ECU's.

In summary, connect your optimate straight to the battery and don't worry.

 

[bustupbiker]

Yes, I know, I know - I have used the search button before anyone says anything

I want to get an Optimate for my bikes (R1 and KTM as well as the GSA). The only thing putting me off is the whole frying the CAN-Bus issue.

Now, I plan to directly connect directly to the battery and not try to go through the accessory socket, so I just wondered: If it ever goes into desulphate mode, will the electronics be OK?

Side issue: the R1 battery is probably as flat as a pancake at the moment. Will the Optimate charge it from dead?

TIA,
David.

I have had my Opti connected to my 12 every day it is not in use May 05
Still on the same battery and never had a problem. Sh1t thats done it now plugged into a socket on the top of the instruments direct wired to the battery via a fuse.....

 

[Wapping]

What GSMonkey and Bustupbiker said...Spot on....Use it with confidence.

 

[patboy]

I have a MK 1 optimate and I used it on a previous honda cbr600 with the battery lasting 8 yrs, then it died one morning at a set of traffic lights! If I'm not using the GS for a few days i tend to connect directly to the battery with clips and its fine with no problems

 

[theEnglishman]

'De-sulphate mode' has absolutely nothing to do with frying electrics. If you want the technical answer do a google search for the science behind it all.

Optimate = good. Flat (or even half charged battery) = bad.

Ignore the geeky terms like 'Can-bus' etc. Just connect your Optimate with the lead it comes supplied with directly to the battery. Tie-wrap the connector underneath the Power socket. Job's a good 'un

 

[Ragnar]

Excellent, cheers all... Now, thanks to Wilbjr21, I just have to decide between Accumate and Optimate

Seems that I don't need the desulphate thing anyway, the Accumate can charge quicker and they both have a float/maintenance mode.

 

[wilbjr21]

You won't be sorry. I've had an Accumate for quite a while. It is also the recommended charger for Westco batteries - just in case you decide to get on of these excellent batteries in the future.

 

[Jon P]

if indeed you can afford to have several (late model) machines then why not do the right thing and buy the correct tool for the job? If you get the proper charger from BMW and 'something' does not work right then they will be behind you.

In fact get the BMW charger for your BMW and get an Optimate charger, one each for your other bikes - one for each - that's what I do.

 

[Ragnar]

if indeed you can afford to have several (late model) machines then why not do the right thing and buy the correct tool for the job? If you get the proper charger from BMW and 'something' does not work right then they will be behind you.

In fact get the BMW charger for your BMW and get an Optimate charger, one each for your other bikes - one for each - that's what I do.

Because the reason I can afford several machines is because I'm exceedingly frugal. If one charger will do exactly what I want, why waste my money on other, more expensive things when I can be saving for something else.

Every little helps.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Battery chargers

To buy a special BMW battery is an extravagance - I would have thought that every household has a 'normal' battery charger to be used on odd occasions - such as after forgetting to switch off the lights inthe car, or for boosting caravan or boat batteries etc; and if your bike battery is flat then disconnect it and charge it with that; Otherwise use any 'trickle charger' such as an Optimate to connect up to the battery terminals direct if you are leaving your bike ( or any other battery) for any period of time; And don't forget to check the level of the electrolyte and ensure there is no corrosion on the crocodile clips;
ALL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN, (AND PROBALY WAS) WRITTEN 60 YEARS AGO!!!
(All that changed was that for a period the batteries (on cars and bikes) were made inaccessible - thus providing good business for the AA/RAC etc

 

[GSmonkey]

You could write a script for these battery charger threads - it goes the same way every time. At least it'll be getting warmer soon and people won't be having as many flat batteries and hence will forget about chargers for another year.

 

[Wapping]

You could write a script for these battery charger threads - it goes the same way every time. At least it'll be getting warmer soon and people won't be having as many flat batteries and hence will forget about chargers for another year.

Amen, to that