What type of battery charger?

[charlie.c]

OK so I've fitted a trickle charge lead to the battery on my 2016 s10. I've got an optimate 4 charger. The Yam book tells you to only use a constant voltage charger as this is a VRLA battery (valve regulated lead acid).
Can I use the optimate 4?

 

[WJBertrand]

OK so I've fitted a trickle charge lead to the battery on my 2016 s10. I've got an optimate 4 charger. The Yam book tells you to only use a constant voltage charger as this is a VRLA battery (valve regulated lead acid).
Can I use the optimate 4?

You need a battery maintainer or float charger that adjusts charging current based on the state of charge in the battery. Battery maintainers have a variable charge vs. a trickle charger which, though charges as a low amperage, will continue to force charge into the battery regardless the state of the battery. Left on long enough the battery gets cooked.

Based on the description at this website http://tecmate.com/products/optimate4dp/ and if that's the model you have I think you should be OK.

 

[EricV]

You're fine. I have an Optimate 3. Great chargers. No issues with maintenance charging the absorbent glass matt battery we use.

 

[fraserdog]

I use a CTEK 3.6 on ine with no problems,i assume it does the same job as an Optimate.

 

[Philistine]

I use a CTEK 0.8 I have 3 of them one on the mower Tractor and motorbike cheap and work like a dream

 

[RIDEMYST]

I spoke with the folks from Yuasa last October at AIM Expo in Orlando.
They recommended a 1 AMP charger and suggested their brand as they knew the specs.
They told me to always use the charger when the bike is parked, which surprised me. I ride my bike often but they said it will increase the battery life if you follow this procedure.
I ordered the Yuasa Automatic 1 AMP charger from Amazon. -JEP-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZTDKZG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[tomatocity]

Noticed no mention of Battery Tender. Probably the best selling battery charger (tender). Is there a problem?

 

[Jono49]

Never used a battery maintainer as their called, I start my bike regularly through the winter, Lead acid batteries need to be cycled as much as 20%, not kept on constant charge!

 

[WJBertrand]

Noticed no mention of Battery Tender. Probably the best selling battery charger (tender). Is there a problem?

I've got a battery tender, works great, but the OP was asking about the Optimate 4 he already has.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tomatocity]

I've got a battery tender, works great, but the OP was asking about the Optimate 4 he already has.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Subject and first post did not mention that so I thought it was an open field.

 

[RonH]

I've been around motorcycles and motorcycle batteries for almost 50yrs now. Back in the old days with water filled batteries they must be charged all winter or removed and brought indoors, otherwise the water would freeze and leak acid all over. Thankfully those POS are long gone. With a modern battery, my own experience to keep them working is do nothing unless the motorcycle sits for a month or more, then charge with a battery tender before starting. In my opinion and experience, keeping on a maintainer, charger whatever too much ruins more batteries than what benefit they serve.
I read guys all the time complain they only got 2yrs out of a battery and it was always sitting on a charger. Well Hello, that is why it went to crap! I'm coming up on 9yrs old on a GL1800 Honda battery that still works good as new as I haven't ruined it by overcharging when not using.

 

[ScoutDogMan]

I have half dozen of the Battery Tenders on motorcycles, 4-wheelers, and lawn tractor and they all work well. However the smallest one will not charge a battery, only maintain it.

 

[WJBertrand]

Subject and first post did not mention that so I thought it was an open field.

Actually the OP asked if he could use his Optimate 4 in the last line of the original post. I think that's why most didn't respond with different units to recommend, such as the Battery Tender.

 

[tomatocity]

Actually the OP asked if he could use his Optimate 4 in the last line of the original post. I think that's why most didn't respond with different units to recommend, such as the Battery Tender.

Since you used the "Quote" function I know what you were referring to.

 

[Steve H]

I am currently using a Oxford Oximiser 3X.
Is this doing my battery any harm.
Thanks Steve

 

[Checkswrecks]

I am currently using a Oxford Oximiser 3X.
Is this doing my battery any harm.
Thanks Steve

For AGM and LiFePo, it looks like it should be fine from the few actual specs in the marketing hype. That said, it has "cycle charge" which is supposed to prevent/shed sulfidation. Even though the processor surely should prevent this from happening with a lithium battery, I would strongly avoid using this or any charger with that capability on any type of lithium battery.


I am also with RonH on not leaving batteries plugged in all the time and mine seem to last longer than a lot of people's. If not using a vehicle or bike for an extended period I will put a Battery Tender on it for a day every month or so. I recently was unable to ride after about 7 weeks off the bike and put it on the tender for the night before my ride. The bike started right up.

 

[Grumpy]

I have just swapped out the original battery on my 2011 for a lithiam ion, after always leaving it parked attached to the Optimate 3, there is still nothing wrong the 7 year old original, but I thought "why push it"

 

[Checkswrecks]

Since you got 7 successful years out of the OEM Yuasa AGM and it still wasn't dead, I'm just curious what made you switch to a lithium?

 

[Grumpy]

Since you got 7 successful years out of the OEM Yuasa AGM and it still wasn't dead, I'm just curious what made you switch to a lithium?

I have fitted one to my XJR and it has so fare been very good. The original is still OK, but I have had batteries start to go between 5 and 6 years. Also, it weighs less than a kilo.