Optimate "intelligent" battery charger

[Blackbird]

The battery in my Blackbird will only hold a charge for a few days, sadly because other priorities means that the bike has stayed in the shed more than it ought since Xmas and I've been slack about the charging regime.

Optimate chargers get great reviews for the ability to stay connected and monitor the battery. Has anyone got one, what do you think of it and where did you get it from? I've had a cursory look at suppliers on the 'net and haven't seen a specific source but maybe it's the sort of thing most bike shops will stock.

I'm off to Hamilton Honda tomorrow for new rubber and a new battery so will check there too.

BTW, if you need a new battery, it pays to really shop around. The quotes I got for a genuine Yuasa YTX 12-BS were $200, $169 and $130. That's one hell of a difference:no:

[CookMySock]

Any of the really small automatic chargers will be fine for keeping your battery topped right up. Don't use the non-auto ones, as they will dry your battery out.

I plug the charger straight into the heated-jacket connector - no need to take the seat off etc etc.

Steve

[Max Preload]

From what I've seen the ones sold at bike dealers are unnecessarily expensive. I've always used a charge & maintain unit (http://www.projecta.com.au/catalogue/cid/3/asset_id/18) (5400mA which I also use for my 13-plate 85Ah deep cycle boat battery & the 13-plate 600CCA starter battery too). I fitted a inline fuse (http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=SZ2014&keywords=inline+fuse&form=KEYWORD) protected DC socket (http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4a3627c10001f4c2273fc0a87f3b068e/Product/View/P1650) to the bike, cut the alligator clips off the charger, put a 2-way nylon spade terminal connector (http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=PP2062&keywords=pp-2062&form=KEYWORD) on the lead and the new DC plug (http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=PP0512&keywords=dc+2.5mm&form=KEYWORD) and another one on the alligator clips lead so I can still use them if I want. I solder everything.

This (http://www.projecta.com.au/catalogue/cid/3/asset_id/14) would do you and Jaycar have a couple too like this (http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MB3604&CATID=18&form=CAT&SUBCATID=295). Looks like they can supply a fused harness too now, but I prefer the tidy flush mounted socket rather than having to retrieve a the stragly lead from under the seat.

[Blackbird]

Thanks for the great advice guys, much appreciated. I'm also in the process of buying a boat for fishing too and clearly need to do something to extend expensive battery life.

Thanks again,

Geoff

[Taz]

I use a remac battery stabiliser on the bike.

Just out of curiosity, does your blackbird have an alarm fitted?

[Blackbird]

Nope, the only constant drain is the clock which is half of sweet fanny adams.

I've got hot grips, radar detector, screamer high wattage bulbs etc but they're all wired in through the switched supply.

[Tony.OK]

I've got one of the Oxford Maximisers.............really rate it, use it for my racebike when not being used.
Has diff charging capabilities for cars, trucks etc. And a fast charge system too.

One of these (http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/content/catalogueViewEntry.aspx?profilePK=all&entryPK=2196)

[Blackbird]

Thanks everyone - I was convinced enough to put one on order as Hamilton Honda hadn't got any in stock but a new shipment is arriving this week. As a parting comment, I was really impressed with the service at Hamilton Honda - very friendly and efficient. Dropped my wheels off to have the new release VP2 Avons fitted, shot into town for a quick bite to eat and when I got back about 40 minutes later, the tyres were fitted and balanced and my new battery was ready. They even carried out everything out to the car and loaded it! Nice touch and I'd certainly go back.:rockon:

[merv]

What type did you order Blackbird?

I've got all our bikes on Projecta brand chargers (that's the Charge and Maintain as mentioned by Max Preoad, small ones for the bike) - cheap from K Mart like about $59, hope they still have stock - and I have a couple (larger ones) for the cars when we aren't using them too. Work a treat.

As per these threads:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=31595
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=34508

[pritch]

I plug the charger straight into the heated-jacket connector - no need to take the seat off etc etc.
Steve

That's interesting. I was wondering about doing this, but was concerned it might cause a power surge to upset the ECU?

The manual says to disconnect the battery, but they were talking about connecting the charger to the battery terminals not plugging it in to a connector. Does having the connector make that much difference?
(Sorry if that's a dumb question, electickery is not my field...)

[The Stranger]

Just read this thread then went and grabbed a Deltran Battery Tender from Henderson Motorcycles as it is both rated for and comes with additional cables for the boat battery.

The instructions start with three and a half pages of cautions and warnings. What the hell is wrong with Americans? If they're that stoopid they deserve to get fried!

[Max Preload]

That's interesting. I was wondering about doing this, but was concerned it might cause a power surge to upset the ECU?

The manual says to disconnect the battery, but they were talking about connecting the charger to the battery terminals not plugging it in to a connector. Does having the connector make that much difference?
(Sorry if that's a dumb question, electickery is not my field...)

Not the ECU but the regulator/rectifier which shunts excess voltage to earth, causing heat, hence the cooling fins on them. Too much and the diodes can overheat and pack up (as I understand).

You could, if you were bothered, put a NC relay inline with the charging wire from the alternator to the battery, that is automatically opened when you connect the charger.

[Blackbird]

What type did you order Blackbird?


Hi Merv - Optimate IV. Wish I'd known about yours and the price a bit earlier but no worries; at least I know the product is ok, even if I did have to shell more than you :angry:

G