Trickle charger

[Jonathan A]

Since its been cold, my bikes battery has been becoming weak after more than a few days of standing. I'm guessing that it needs a trickle charger?
Also i'm thinking of connecting the charger via the cigarette lighter socket on my bike, for ease of use (by replacing the clips with a lighter plug) is this a good idea?

Cheers

[delsol]

[Islander]

I'd recommend an Optimate or other reputable smart charger. If your battery is flagging then this type of charger will attempt to revive it for you. They come with battery connectors that you can leave fitted too so connecting them is a breeze.

[Jonathan A]

Well money is tight at the moment, so I guess i'll be heading to lidl tomorrow

either that or this: https://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7405392.htm

[arry]

Imo buy the optimate. It's available for 50 quid delivered so it's not exactly mega money over the cheaper ones. Comes with the battery lead to leave connected and works really well

It's already recovered my car battery and sorted the Ybr battery too. Paid for itself

[doggone]

The optimate will do you for years, it really is worth it because there's always going to be spells you can hardly use the bike for a few weeks.
It will extend a batterys life if you keep on top of it.
That included battery tender lead is about £10 to buy separate.
Is your cigarette socket live with ignition off?

[Jonathan A]

I will have a think in that case, and yes the lighter socket is live with the igntion off.

[Jonathan A]

Also, Ideally I would like to extend the 12 volt wires on the charger to about 15 metres, So I don't have to mess about with any 240 volt stuff out side. Would such long wires cause a problem?

[Islander]

As long as they are large enough (cross sectional area) to carry the current without causing a voltage drop then they're fine.

As a general principle though, it's better to extend the mains end.

[Copycat73]