There is a similar problem with electric motorbikes left unused over a long Canadian winter. If the bike doesn't have a storage mode, you are meant to charge it to 60% then check every few weeks. If it gets down to near 20%, recharge to 60%. Many batteries don't like long periods over 80% or below 20%.
I had a chat with a leading battery manufacturer's design tech support (the guys that advise vehicle design engineers) about charging at different temperatures. What I learned from that conversation was that there is an optimal temperature window for charging a lead acid battery and that is between 15-30 degrees Celsius. If the battery is charged outside this temperature it will degrade. The further outside this window the greater the degradation. I no longer use battery maintainers over winter. I remove the batteries, and store them indoors when it is cold outside. You can leave them in a vehicle outside disconnected, but bring the battery to a warmer place where the electrolyte is at least 15 degrees before charging. I am getting longer battery life and have not replaced a battery since I changed how I look after my batteries over winter. Using an internal combustion vehicle outside of the 15-30 degree Celsius temperature range will also degrade the battery, but it is considered an acceptable compromise.
Get a decent one with a test cycle that will flag up when a battery is on the way out. Used an Optimate 4 for years without any issue. If you are really worried do a battery crank voltage test with a multimeter. If the voltage drops below 10.5V whilst cranking the battery is on the way out.
Hi Stu, Great Comment, That would work if you are mechanically minded and have a Multimeter. I am just trying to give tips to those that have an ordinary trickle charger or Optimizer. A simple, free pre-tour check.
Timely that I've just found this video I use an Oxford Oximiser. It looks newer than yours, does look at how the battery holds a charge then pronounces it "good" or "bad". I just unhooked mine yesterday. Pressed the start button with no choke to circulate a bit of oil. Sounded a bit sluggish. Hmmm. I got two more presses out of it before the dreaded click of doom. Nothing! Headlight going out. Hooked it back up & within half an hour fully charged. Tried again with same result. Someone clever on owners club site said lots of science stuff - upshot i need a new battery. So no, oximesers do not check everything and are not infallible. Grrr
Thank you for your feedback and experiance, much appriciated. But... on the positive side you have found out now and not miles from home or at a Spanish ferry port stuck inside a boat!
@@RideSpain very very true👍 Also on the bright side, in 41 years of driving & riding I THINK this is the first time I've replaced a battery. I think... So can't complain. Enjoy your trip!!!
Oxford chargers are poor compared to original optimate,I got a digital one for free with MCN and it set my alarm off on my speed triple,constantly had to reset my bike so sold it bought used optimate 3.
@@RideSpain tell u what pal its a good idea i will do both mine on alternate weeks my gsa was. new 18 months ago so should be fine but i will do that but i have a noco booster which i will be carrying when i go to italy in june
That’s a great tip, I’ve just disconnected the BMW optimiser and will have a go at starting it in a weeks time.
Let us know how you get on please!
There is a similar problem with electric motorbikes left unused over a long Canadian winter. If the bike doesn't have a storage mode, you are meant to charge it to 60% then check every few weeks. If it gets down to near 20%, recharge to 60%. Many batteries don't like long periods over 80% or below 20%.
I had a chat with a leading battery manufacturer's design tech support (the guys that advise vehicle design engineers) about charging at different temperatures. What I learned from that conversation was that there is an optimal temperature window for charging a lead acid battery and that is between 15-30 degrees Celsius. If the battery is charged outside this temperature it will degrade. The further outside this window the greater the degradation.
I no longer use battery maintainers over winter. I remove the batteries, and store them indoors when it is cold outside. You can leave them in a vehicle outside disconnected, but bring the battery to a warmer place where the electrolyte is at least 15 degrees before charging. I am getting longer battery life and have not replaced a battery since I changed how I look after my batteries over winter.
Using an internal combustion vehicle outside of the 15-30 degree Celsius temperature range will also degrade the battery, but it is considered an acceptable compromise.
Top tip
Get a decent one with a test cycle that will flag up when a battery is on the way out. Used an Optimate 4 for years without any issue. If you are really worried do a battery crank voltage test with a multimeter. If the voltage drops below 10.5V whilst cranking the battery is on the way out.
Hi Stu, Great Comment, That would work if you are mechanically minded and have a Multimeter. I am just trying to give tips to those that have an ordinary trickle charger or Optimizer. A simple, free pre-tour check.
Hi. See my comment. I've got a posh one with a test cycle and a "good" or "bad" verdict...
Apologies for misspelling Achilles. Not changing it now!
Timely that I've just found this video
I use an Oxford Oximiser. It looks newer than yours, does look at how the battery holds a charge then pronounces it "good" or "bad".
I just unhooked mine yesterday. Pressed the start button with no choke to circulate a bit of oil. Sounded a bit sluggish. Hmmm. I got two more presses out of it before the dreaded click of doom. Nothing! Headlight going out.
Hooked it back up & within half an hour fully charged.
Tried again with same result.
Someone clever on owners club site said lots of science stuff - upshot i need a new battery.
So no, oximesers do not check everything and are not infallible. Grrr
Thank you for your feedback and experiance, much appriciated. But... on the positive side you have found out now and not miles from home or at a Spanish ferry port stuck inside a boat!
@@RideSpain very very true👍 Also on the bright side, in 41 years of driving & riding I THINK this is the first time I've replaced a battery. I think... So can't complain. Enjoy your trip!!!
Oxford chargers are poor compared to original optimate,I got a digital one for free with MCN and it set my alarm off on my speed triple,constantly had to reset my bike so sold it bought used optimate 3.
waves from Honda VFR reg/rec land
Just switch optimate off for a week simple
Think thats my point! Test your battery with the optimiser off/disconnected for a few days.
@@RideSpain tell u what pal its a good idea i will do both mine on alternate weeks my gsa was. new 18 months ago so should be fine but i will do that but i have a noco booster which i will be carrying when i go to italy in june