Battery chargers?

[mrbluesbox]

Hi all.
not been riding my bike for a while cos of a back injury, but ive had enough of that now and am gonna go for a spin this weekend.
only problem is the battery is dead cos i aint been on it in a few weeks, so i was looking for a decent charger thats gonna be able to sort it.
Ive got a crarppy little tricklemate thing at the moment that seems like its gonna take about 3 weeks of charging to get to the point where theres enough juice in it to start
I read that the optimate chargers are supposed to be ok, but ive never seen / used one so has anyone got any reccomendations.....
cheers.
Gaz.
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I seem to have misplaced my pants...................

[scoota bk]

I had an oximiser, was ok but nout special. Stopped using it after the wires melted.

Bought an optimate 3 SP for about a tenner more (just under £40) and gotta admit it's the shits, keeps all my batteries spot on.

[carvell]

Just get a standard 12v fast charger from Maplin, or Argos.

You don't need an optimate-cooks-your-dinner-makes-your-tea-overpriced charger, you just don't.

Whoever came up with the optimate thing is probably laughing all the way to the bank.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[Handsome]

I just use a Car Charger...Never had a problem and I've never Boiled a battery either as some suggest.....
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[bazza]

Optimate 3.

Accept no pikey pound shop substitutes.
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[MattEMulsion]

[Duckyboos]

Optimate

Have a little cable leading from me battery into the passenger seat thingy and I just plug her in when I need to, just like I plug me 'phone charger in at the end of the day. The charger unit doesn't mind the off spot or two of rain either. Though I wouldn't submerge it like.

[carvell]

[doggone]

This happened to me last week (it needed charging) and on the battery it say "charge at 1.5 to 2 amps for 5 to 10 hours"
Also "Do not attempt to boost start"

I only have a 4 amp chargere so stuck that on with some caution but it doesn't actually go at 4 amps for long, according to the meter it soon drops to 2 or near enough anyway - did the trick.

It seems odd to me as surely the alternator must be throwing out far more - probably more like 20 or 30 amps.

[Ant]

i've just brought a optimate 3 sp aswell, i think it's worth spending that bit extra on your pride and joy! plus you can leave the leads attached which means you dont have to take your seats off to charge the battery!
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04 ZX10R ~

[crazymotorbik...]

Optimate all the way
They've saved me quite a few batteries that have been deeply discharged and that the normal charger just wouldn't recover. Plus you can leave it plugged in all winter and it will constantly monitor and cycle the battery as neccesary.

For the sake of £30 there well worth it. You only ever need buy one charger so you may as well buy something decent.

[mrbluesbox]

optimate it is then
ill try and pick one up at the manchester bike show this weekend.
cheers.
Gaz.
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I seem to have misplaced my pants...................

[Finglonga]

The damage may have already been done if the battery is a lead acid one and totaly flat. They don't like deep cycling and are buggers to recover once they have been.

An optimate may not have enough amps to bring it back. They are designed to keep a bettery charged while a bike isn't being used not to rescue the battery once its shagged.

Try jump starting it off a car and take it for a spin, then you will know if you need a new battery as well as a charger.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[dainesefreak]

The Optimate is designed to rescue deeply discharged and sulphated batteries mate it's their big boast.

Details HERE.

Just bought one off Ebay about a week ago to replace my Oxford Oximiser.

[SoND]

I've always jumped or bumped my bike and let it charge itself again. That bad for the battery?
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Go back to bed - You have no rights - "Streetfighters ~ Mainstream motorcycling's crackwhore sister."

[Itchy]

You don't really need a charger , if the battery is low and you can't fire her up bump it , and ride around for a bit to charge it.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Handsome]

It's reckoned to take 25 miles to put back the charge that the battery loses on start up.....
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[SoND]

[Handsome]

That's what I was told years back and I've heard it a few times since.....
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[mark83]

A battery needs to be looked after from the word go.

If you stick it on an optimate charger every time you get in, you'll be sorted. Letting a battery die then charging is ok, but like in anything, prevention is better than cure.
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Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[Mjolnir]

Millennium Motorcycles in st helens was doing the optimate 3 for £35. I picked one up 2 weeks ago. Be rude not to.

[carvell]

[Handsome]

And like I've said that just what I heard years ago, I've never realy believed it for the reason posted above...

I just thought I'd throw it into the mix.....Jeeze.....
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[Resurrection]

Whereabouts in manc are you? I could bring mine round and see if anything happens?

Res
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ZX9r

[MattEMulsion]