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Author Topic: Optimate trickle charger  (Read 1882 times)

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aladds

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Optimate trickle charger
« on: 09, October, 2010 - 20:43:25 »
Having messed up one battery completely and one partly I thought it might be a good idea to get myself a trickle charger to try and fix the "broken" one and help out the "semi-broken" one a little.

I missed a very cheap offer on an Accumate charger a couple of weeks ago (rather annoyed at that) but I've been looking at the Optimate range. Has anyone got any experience with any of their products? I notice they've got an accessory which gives you a charging plug for panel mount too, although it might not do as a regular charging method as it charges at less than an amp, so a full charge would take 3 or 4 days... Not too useful for commuting!

giles

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Re: Optimate trickle charger
« Reply #1 on: 12, October, 2010 - 06:57:01 »
I use a standard charger and an Oxford Products Optimate trickle charger.  I find the trickle fine for the journey's I do, in and out of town, 3 miles.  I rotate the trickle onto each of my 4 batteries every 24 hours to keep them all 'alive'.  If I have a big trip to do I use the standard charger for 12 to 16 hours if I have any doubt about them.  By the way I bought my Oxford Product Optimiser for my Fireblade, back in the day(!), it is only supposed to work for upto 30 - 40 ish Amp hour batteries but it works fine on my (upto) 80 A/hr batteries....
I think it is good to keep batteries receiving charge, I think it extends the life of the battery.

I guess for your use it would depend on how far your commute is?  If it is less than 6 miles return using a trickle should be OK.  Try it out and take a spare if you are not 100% confident.

As it happens Connie and I did a long ride at the weekend (lovely and sunny in Stratford), my 60A/hr battery did 15 (fairly flat) miles without much pedaling before it gave out and I swapped the battery to the spare I was carrying.

If you wnat to 'fix' a knackered battery you need a C TEK charger/conditioner/repairer.  Really excellent products, read the interweb about them.  We use them at work and they do a very good job.  They are more expensive than a simple Optimiser like mine at home but I think they are a more sophisticated range of products.

Cheers, Giles

Offline Umpa

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Re: Optimate trickle charger
« Reply #2 on: 04, November, 2010 - 09:07:01 »
I have to be honest and say 'good luck with that' if your trying to fix a bad battery. I use the original Sinclair Charges, and an automatic charger that pulse's the battery to keep it charged without over charging it.  I have not been on my rides this year, but I'll be sure to let you know if my battery care plan worked or not.