Suggestions for Trickle Chargers/Optimates

[Pegasus]

As the evening draw in and the roads become a little more greasy, I don't think I'll be on the bike as often. So i want to take the right actions to preserve my pride and joy during it's little hibernation. My key factor is the battery. I've had a look at Optimates website and there are around 30 different chargers. I am aware that there are different batteries out there, like lithium, gels, lead, alkaline etc.
I'm just looking for a simple trickle charger that won't damage the battery. Any suggestions on what people use please?

Other things to store the bike correctly:
- Trickle charger connect
- Give a proper deep clean
- Ensure tyre pressures are correct
- Fully fuelled (controversial one, so open to comment)
- Put on centre stand (carpet under wheel in contact with floor)
- Cover the bike with a stretchy breathable cover
- Fold in mirrors to reduce risk of knocking
- Start the bike every Month and let it run for around 10 mins to get up to temperature (or should i be doing it sooner)

Yes, i could just ride the beast through the winter, but realistically, my heated seats in the car are more welcoming than just the heated grips on my bike. I'd rather just ride to thoroughly enjoy on good days. And come good days on the occasional free weekend, I'll be tempted to take it out. But i just want to know how to store it properly.

Tips and suggestions welcome!

[Tynedale]

Mine is off the road for 3-4 months over the winter and I always use a fuel stabiliser (as well as brimming the tank) which you can get from most bike shops.
I’ve seen suggestions of removing the plugs squirting a bit of oil down the holes and turning the engine over by hand before replacing the plugs but I’ve never actually done it and haven’t had any trouble (yet).
Ducati Nottingham gave me the Ducati charger free when I bought mine, it’s a fairly simple device so shouldn’t cost much to buy but there again it is Ducati. I’ve had an  Optimate for over 10 years which I’ve used on Triumphs and Kawasaki’s without any issues. Hope this helps.

[ZiggyCol]

I use a ctek (multi xs3600) to maintain charge on the bike and a caravan leisure battery as necessary over winter. Had no problems and seems to work well.
I spent a working life commuting in all weathers so now I'm retired I'm a fair weather rider but I still hope to get out occasionally on fine days through the winter and I believe any occasional ride you can mange can only be good for the bike - assuming you avoid salt!

[Dill]

On the wider topic of trickle chargers and optimate conditioners/chargers does anyone know if it’s possible to charge the bike via the DIN socket near the dash?

On my previous bike (BMW F700 GS) I was able to use an optimate 4 this way which was very handy.

( My MTS doesn’t have the charging ‘tail’ some others seem to have. )

[ZiggyCol]

Originally Posted by Dill

( My MTS doesn’t have the charging ‘tail’ some others seem to have. )

Surprised at that, but most decent chargers have accessories available to allow you to install a 'charging tail' direct to the battery to allow easy charger connection.

[Tynedale]

The socket would need to be permanently live which I don’t think it is.

[Dill]

Originally Posted by Tynedale

The socket would need to be permanently live which I don’t think it is.

Ah - wondered about that.

Oddly enough, on the BMW it wasn't permanently live and it worked ok on that. I think the charger/CAMBUS system somehow talk to each other?

Interestingly, they do seem to be selling the Optimate 4 as BMW and Ducati compatible

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Optimate-4-inc-BMW-Ducati-Connector-CAN-bus-Compatible-12V-Battery-Charger/193112079741?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40732%26meid%3D2515c781e30f42f6b2b57445263a3c25%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D264280323375%26itm%3D193112079741%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

I might give it a go and see what happens.

[Tynedale]

Triumphs had 2 one usually near the dash for accessories and another by the engine which was permanently live. It had quite a high rated fuse on it which meant you could plug a compressor in to inflate the tyres I had to get a separate Optimate lead fitted to the Multi for this. When I bought my Optimate it came with a selection of leads/ plugs  including the one to connect direct to the battery so I’m sure a newer one will be the same.

[Dill]

Thanks Tynedale - I'll dig out the box and see what came with mine.

It does have the DIN plug as well (it was the BMW version which included it), so I'll try that later too.

Thanks all.

[Dill]

Turns out my Optimate charger doesn't have the direct to battery terminal connector in the box as it comes with the DIN plug instead. It does have the crocodile clips on a plug with a short tail which I could chop off connect to the battery but it doesn't have the cap so would be exposed to the elements or shorting.

Found one on theifbay for £8 so that will do instead.

(I did try charging with the DIN connector via the accessory socket and it woke the satnav up, so power was going through, but the backlight on the dash was flashing and there was some clicking going on, so I turned it off pretty sharpish. Would have been a shame to fry my bike for the sake of £8. (Thankfully, bike still seems to work)