Optimate okay to charge outside?

[Matt06]

Thinking of getting an Optimate with the time of year and whatnot.

Thing is I have no garage so my bike is kept outside. I could park it pretty close to my kitchen if needed.

Would an Optimate be okay to use outside with rain and whatnot?

I was thinking maybe keeping it under the bike while its covered up and running a lead into the kitchen. Not sure of any of the cable lengths though. I know they sell an extension for the plug that can fit on to the bike, but it doesn't look very waterproof!

Thanks.
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[kingsmith]

as long as its tucked away out of the rain, and none of the conections are open to the elements wouldn't think be a problem..

i would do it if needed too..

well as long as its no crap cheap bike cover, usualy trap water/damp..
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[Matt06]

Hmmmm, the cover is kinda cheap. I have been meaning to buy a new one.

The Optimate thing is supposed to be fine with light rain and its no where near that bad even with a bad cover.

Shame there isn't a waterproof extension.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

You could just take the battery out of the bike if you're worried about it.

Also stops people from nicking it.
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[Matt06]

Yeah, thats true.

I liked the idea of just 'plugging it in' and covering it up when I got in from work.

The battery better be under the seat on the R6. Haven't had it long so not looked.

Was under the tank on my MT which was very very annoying.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Pete.]

I've put my optimate outside many times without harm. I ran out an extension lead and put the reel plug charger under a bin lid. Be careful covering them with platic bags etc as you can tip a puddle of water from a crease in the bag into the extension lead if it's been raining.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[doggone]

You don't need it on all the time, I'd try get it inside something like an upturned plastic bucket maybe - and just have it on one day a week or something when it wasn't wet and windy.

[Matt06]

Okay, thanks guys.

I'll buy me one of these and see what I can get sorted.

I thought it was supposed to be on most/all of the time?

I guess there are different settings.
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[doggone]

You can leave it on all the time without fear of damage.
Unless the battery is about pooped it should be OK without for at least a week no matter how cold it is.

[iooi]

If you are going to do this make up a length of proper cable and run it though a RCB to ensure no electrical shorts. Or even get a proper outside socket fitted where you park the bike.
That way you don't not have to worry about keeping extentions dry.

Unless you are having problems with the battery running low. Lots of short trips with lights on etc. If you do longer trips then i would be looking at your bikes charging system 1st.

I would do as suggested above and only connect when needed.
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[Pete.]

The main reason for needing an optimate is to stop alarm systems running the battery down. You can't get around the fact that bike batteries are small in capacity.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Kickstart]

Hi

You can make up your own extension cable. The connectors Optimate use are the standard ones used on Tamiya radio control car battery packs (just Optimate use them with the polarity reversed). You can buy these connectors and some wire to make up your own lead, any length you want.

All the best

Keith
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[MattEMulsion]

I made my own leads up for Optimate extensions but you have to be careful with some of the Tamiya/Kyosho connectors as some of them don't fit together very well at all. The best ones I found that were a perfect fit and with the pins wired in and fitted perfectly were these ready made up ends at Maplins - https://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1397

The easist method though would be to buy a a proper Optimate lead already made up and they are relatively cheap on the likes of ebay anyway. Keep the Optimate inside, running the extensions to the bike outside and you won't have any problems.
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[Pete.]

I had an optimate die on me so I took the lead off it and soldered it onto the end of the replacement optimate for a double-length lead
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Matt06]

Buying one tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.
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Current: MT-10, Bandit, Grom, GPZ500
Previous: YBR125, GSXR400, ZXR400, MT-03, NTV650, R6, z750, ZX6R, MT-09