Battery charger and maintenance.

[Nasher]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good value, ie cheap, battery charger/maintainer?
Or even have one for sale?

No matter how hard I promise myself I won't, the Monster is going to spend a few weeks at a time over the winter not being used, so I want to be able to plug it into one of the intelligent chargers that will maintain it whilst not in use.

Preferably one with a permanently attached lead and connector to save faffing around.
Although I'm more than capable of making up a cable assembly if need be.

I've used a small trickle charger in the past, but not one you leave attached and turned on.

Oh, and importantly, my bike is fitted with a non standard 'Gel' battery.

Thanks

Nasher.

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y481/Nashersimages/P8290016_zps12b66635.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/Nashersimages/media/P8290016_zps12b66635.jpg.html)

[DrD]

I use the BikeIt one on my Aprilia which is very demanding on cold starts:
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-accessories/halfords-bike-it-motorcycle-smart-charger-2-4-amp
Now my 650 thumper is ready for winter, I imagine I'll get one for the M900 too
- there are two sorts so one of them will be correct for gel batteries

[Nasher]

Thanks D, that looks like it's at my end of the budget range.

Nasher.

[don_matese]

Ive got one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004Z5FHWM?pc_redir=1412834132&robot_redir=1

[S4R Dude]

Optimate 4.

Wire the leads to your battery and you have a waterproof plug that sits neatly behind the frame when it is not plugged in but is easy to just pull out and plug in when needed .

Has been on the bike since 2005 , I think, and the battery is the original. Bloody good thing, especially as I sometimes go months without using the bike.

[maxxjod]

I have used optimate chargers in the past with great results, however I have found ctek chargers are even better.
I had one of these, http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-wiper-blades-batteries/car-battery-chargers/ctek-xs0-8-battery-charger , on my 750 monster and never had an issue with starting.

[Flip]

I swear by the Optimate chargers and in particular the Optimate 2 or 3 versions as their charge rate is suited to lower Ah batteries over long periods of time.

The first one I bought new (Optimate 2) and is now around fifteen years old and still going strong but I bought the two Optimate 3's from eBay to keep the pair of batteries I have for my race bike tip top.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Optimate-3-Motorcycle-Battery-Charger-/281468762806?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4188d87ab6

[lewis]

Another vote for optimate. Great to just be able to plug your bike into the trickle charger with the supplied leads you attach to the battery.

[Goofle]

I don't leave my charger connected to the bike(s) for more than overnight. If I haven't used a bike for a week or two I'll give it a charge but don't like using them permanently.

[Funkatronic]

i wouldn't leave one on charge over entire winter either, had a couple of batteries ruined by an optimate 3 whereas my original monster battery which was never charged (just ridden v often all year round) lasted 6 yrs+

if the bike it laid up over winter, i'd be more inclined the remove the battery and keep it warm inside and occasionally top up charge it over winter

agreed, ctek chargers are the canine cojones

[Flip]

'Tis funny about batteries- the original Yuasa one on my Monster lasted twelve years and was constantly connected to my original Optimate when I wasn't riding the bike.

When that battery died I bought another Yuasa one thinking how good they were (paying over £60 for it in 2009) which only lasted two years with the same treatment- Rubbish!!

A change was needed and so far the Motobatt that is currently fitted has been doing just fine since then, so five years and counting!!

I don't know how the CTek chargers work but I have put the Optimates on an Electronic Load at work and know that there is no way they can damage the battery fitted to a Monster by being constantly connected.

Any kind of lead acid battery doesn't like the cycle of charge/dis-charge and agree it doesn't hurt to remove the battery to keep charged if you're planning on not using it for a long time although the bike itself might prefer to be started from time to time to keep seal moist and to stop the belts taking a 'set' rather just being left alone.

[spacemonkey]

I think mine's an Accumen charger and they too come with leads you leave on permanently. Connected to my Oddysey battery, it's been faultless.