Modern bikes are good aren't they? - plus battery tender of choice FOAK?

Picked up the Shiver today. The more I ride it the more I like it. Plus
the bonus of not having to worry about an MoT for two years. Gives me
time to fettle the SO bikes and still just get the Aprilia out and have
a bimble without having to piss about with it. The battery is really
easy to get at, but even though AFAIK it has just an immobiliser not an
alarm, I think I will fit a permanent battery tender lead as the
terminals are very easy to get at (I can't spot an accessory socket as
such). So what is the device of choice - Optimate still?
--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Aprilia Shiver Yamaha WR250Z/Supermoto "Old Gimmer's Hillclimber" |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

CTEK seems to get the vote, in anecdotal evidence. More bikes are coming
with AGM batteries and they are the best at coping with that particular
electro-chemistry.

XS800 is a lot cheaper than an Optimate too, around £28
http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/productindex.php

Argos have one for £50 that would be okay for car use too
http://tinyurl.com/39tf4vq or a fiver cheaper at
http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/shop/productprofile.asp?ProductGroupID=3039

 

Thanks. Looks good.

I have one I got from Aldi, which TBF I could easily hook up to the
Shiver by just lifting the seat and using crocodile clips. Not sure
about leaving it on for long periods though. I prefer one for extended
use with a dedicated socket in case a clip slips and sparks IYSWIM.

--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Aprilia Shiver Yamaha WR250Z/Supermoto "Old Gimmer's Hillclimber" |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

+1

 

I'm sure I read the Accumate (the 12v/6v version of the Optimate) had
better recovery and floating properties than the Optimate. Anyway, it's
the one I have and is still going strong for me after nearly ten years of
use.

It's also really easy to make your own on bike terminals as it uses the
standard Tamiya type connectors, readily available from Maplins or in
cheaper multi packs on eBay.

 

My original Optimate 1 only recently gave up the ghost. I got it when I
bought the first Nordwest IIRC so that lasted over 15 years.

That's a point worth considering. I could equip all the fleet (such as
it is these days) with a standard quick hook up.
--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Aprilia Shiver Yamaha WR250Z/Supermoto "Old Gimmer's Hillclimber" |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

My Optimate 2 recently followed it's uncle 1 to the graveyard. Fucking
pieces of shit. And my crappy Halfords car charger also died last
week.

FFS, they're only transformers/rectifiers/a little bit of current
monitoring - how hard can it be to make a reliable one, FFS?

 

Too complicated. I have an ancient one with just needle on a dial
ammeter that is still working after 30 years. I resort to it for
resuscitating batteries so dead an Optimate won't rouse them. Got the
Westco back after the alarm on the MX5 (now ripped out) got it flat as a
tack. It remains to be seen how long the 'Aldi' one with buttons and
LEDs lasts.

--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Aprilia Shiver Yamaha WR250Z/Supermoto "Old Gimmer's Hillclimber" |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I used to have one like that, made it myself - WTF did I do with it?
Oh yeah, I remember - blew up a competitor's "robot" at an electronics
fair. *ahem* - sorry, Mick.

You know, I'm 1/2 tempted to order some bits from CPC and just fucking
make another one.

 

that's almost exactly what I was thinking of, although, being a
purist, I'd probably put it in a nice metal box with a BFO 250V-rated
toggle switch to turn it on and off.

Mmmm diodes.

 

pffft.

One light bulb.

Two pieces of wire.

One diode.

Done.