Battery charger / optimiser

Jez900ie · 21-11-2016, 08:11 PM

Well its winter so I am guessing a few of you will have already worked out what works best to keep the battery in good shape and fully operational.

So what have you got, what do you reccomend, any good tips are appreciated!

maxxjod · 21-11-2016, 09:00 PM

Ctek chargers all the way, they are brilliant chargers.

Zimbo · 21-11-2016, 09:42 PM

Ctek is the way to go!

Jez900ie · 22-11-2016, 04:30 PM

So the Ctek is worth the extra money over an Oxford 900?

Also its a bit of a faff to attach a charger to the battery... Is there some super new invention that resolves this? Surely there must be a way to get around removing the seat and lifting the tank?

Dirty · 22-11-2016, 04:31 PM

Yes, it's called an auto electrician

maxxjod · 22-11-2016, 05:15 PM

Ctek chargers are most definitely worth the extra money over the Oxford.

The charger should come with a fly lead that can be attached to the battery and then run to somewhere useful so that you can quickly and easily attach the charger.

Jez900ie · 22-11-2016, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxjod

Ctek chargers are most definitely worth the extra money over the Oxford.

The charger should come with a fly lead that can be attached to the battery and then run to somewhere useful so that you can quickly and easily attach the charger.

Thanks for this! A Fly lead is a new thing to me but sounds eminently practical.

Ctek seems the best bet, anyone have anything else to add before I part with money...?

chris yeatman · 22-11-2016, 05:42 PM

I have a optimate 4, which I've never had a problem.

Luddite · 22-11-2016, 05:46 PM

Hi Jez.

As Maxxjod says, if you fit a permanent charging lead, then you'll only have to lift the tank once to attach the lead. If you don't get one with the charger, you'll want either:

a Ctek one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ctek-CTE-56.../dp/B002OHN5NQ

or an Optimate one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimate-We.../dp/B002ALSIDI

Once fitted, you can charge the battery without disturbing anything on the bike. Very convenient.

Jez900ie · 22-11-2016, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris yeatman

I have a optimate 4, which I've never had a problem.

Thanks Chris - definitely cheaper!

These Ctek chargers seem to come in a big range of models. Which is the one you guys would suggest?

Darren69 · 22-11-2016, 06:35 PM

CTEK are recommended by many on here so sb good. If you have an optimate charger already that may be all you need depends on what type of battery you have? There are some newer types like lithium etc, that the optimate cannot deal with. But if you have Lead/Acid/Gel or AGM then Optimate or CTEK should be fine.

I have a 10 year old optimate that work just fine for me but I shall be looking to replace it with a CTEK if that's any help at all?

Mark64 · 22-11-2016, 06:43 PM

+1 for ctec, had it several years, very happy with it, would buy another

Jez900ie · 22-11-2016, 06:57 PM

These Ctek chargers prices range from 35 to 250 pounds... Which model is sufficient/ recommended by you? I dont want to be cheap, but if I can get all the necessary good features without spending 250 it would be waaay better!

Tosh · 22-11-2016, 07:47 PM

Just to be different, I have an oxford 900. Works well for me with no issues. It also comes with a fly lead so you can just plug it in when the bikes not going out..

22-11-2016, 09:40 PM

Another Oxford 900 here from Amazon for £30. Comes with the lead and a bracket to keep it nicely on the wall. Displays charging voltages etc, has bulk charge, maintain settings etc.

My only criticism is that it has a fairly short lead, but hasn't caused me any problems!

21-11-2016, 08:11 PM	#1
Jez900ie Pleasantly surprised! Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Stoke on Trent Bike: M900ie Posts: 780	Battery charger / optimiser Well its winter so I am guessing a few of you will have already worked out what works best to keep the battery in good shape and fully operational. So what have you got, what do you reccomend, any good tips are appreciated! __________________ Monsters don't hide under the bed, they sleep inside the shed

22-11-2016, 04:30 PM	#4
Jez900ie Pleasantly surprised! Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Stoke on Trent Bike: M900ie Posts: 780	So the Ctek is worth the extra money over an Oxford 900? Also its a bit of a faff to attach a charger to the battery... Is there some super new invention that resolves this? Surely there must be a way to get around removing the seat and lifting the tank? __________________ Monsters don't hide under the bed, they sleep inside the shed Last edited by Jez900ie; 22-11-2016 at 04:51 PM..

22-11-2016, 04:31 PM	#5
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Yes, it's called an auto electrician __________________ Wounds heal, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever Beware of eBay

22-11-2016, 05:42 PM	#8
chris yeatman I still have the s4r! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: salisbury, wiltshire Bike: S4r Posts: 1,896	I have a optimate 4, which I've never had a problem. __________________ What's that coming over the hill.......

22-11-2016, 06:35 PM	#11
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	CTEK are recommended by many on here so sb good. If you have an optimate charger already that may be all you need depends on what type of battery you have? There are some newer types like lithium etc, that the optimate cannot deal with. But if you have Lead/Acid/Gel or AGM then Optimate or CTEK should be fine. I have a 10 year old optimate that work just fine for me but I shall be looking to replace it with a CTEK if that's any help at all? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

21-11-2016, 09:00 PM	#2
maxxjod Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brighton Bike: M750 Posts: 146	Ctek chargers all the way, they are brilliant chargers.

21-11-2016, 09:42 PM	#3
Zimbo Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Stonehouse, Glos Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,078	Ctek is the way to go!

22-11-2016, 05:15 PM	#6
maxxjod Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brighton Bike: M750 Posts: 146	Ctek chargers are most definitely worth the extra money over the Oxford. The charger should come with a fly lead that can be attached to the battery and then run to somewhere useful so that you can quickly and easily attach the charger.

22-11-2016, 05:46 PM	#9
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	Hi Jez. As Maxxjod says, if you fit a permanent charging lead, then you'll only have to lift the tank once to attach the lead. If you don't get one with the charger, you'll want either: a Ctek one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ctek-CTE-56.../dp/B002OHN5NQ or an Optimate one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimate-We.../dp/B002ALSIDI Once fitted, you can charge the battery without disturbing anything on the bike. Very convenient.

22-11-2016, 06:43 PM	#12
Mark64 Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Hondon de los Frailes Bike: S4r Posts: 285	+1 for ctec, had it several years, very happy with it, would buy another

22-11-2016, 06:57 PM	#13
Jez900ie Pleasantly surprised! Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Stoke on Trent Bike: M900ie Posts: 780	These Ctek chargers prices range from 35 to 250 pounds... Which model is sufficient/ recommended by you? I dont want to be cheap, but if I can get all the necessary good features without spending 250 it would be waaay better! __________________ Monsters don't hide under the bed, they sleep inside the shed

22-11-2016, 07:47 PM	#14
Tosh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Foxdale Bike: M900sie Posts: 59	Just to be different, I have an oxford 900. Works well for me with no issues. It also comes with a fly lead so you can just plug it in when the bikes not going out..

22-11-2016, 09:40 PM	#15
RossObey01 Guest Posts: n/a	Another Oxford 900 here from Amazon for £30. Comes with the lead and a bracket to keep it nicely on the wall. Displays charging voltages etc, has bulk charge, maintain settings etc. My only criticism is that it has a fairly short lead, but hasn't caused me any problems!