Keeping batteries charged

[AndyC_123]

Hi

I have a few bikes that get used sporadically so often the batteries get goosed. Wanted to go out for a blast today but fireblade battery gone.

Obviously trickle charger would solve this, but I’d have to get quite a few and to be honest, I can’t be arsed with the hassle of accessing the batteries every time I want to ride or when I get hope.

Are there any other options?

Has anyone ever put an isolator switch in to stop the battery draining? Is is feasible?

Cheers!

[TimmyMallett]

Almost every battery maintainer has a quick release connector. Tales less than 5 seconds to connect or disconnect. Permanently wired to the battery terminals

. I use a ctek 5.0 with a quick connector zip tied to the frame so you don't have to take anyhting off. You could buy comfort connectors for each and thry give you a charge state led so you could just use thr one charger on those that are the lowest. Or wire a switch in line with the battery earth.

Edited by TimmyMallett on Sunday 6th March 19:45

[JulianHJ]

As above. I use an Optimate 4, which I can plug directly in to one of my bike's DIN sockets.

[Ynysfach]

Batteries will discharge all by themselves even if left open circuit via an isolator switch. Much better to keep them topped up using a smart trickle charger. If the battery is maintained at I think 12.5V or above there is very little sulphation so the battery won’t deteriorate. Below 12V it will die. The drain from an alarm will obviously make that happen more quickly but even open circuit with no drain the battery voltage will drop. I suppose you could pull the main fuse out but that is probably more fiddly than a fly lead to the battery to connect a charger. Aldi and Lidl often sell smart chargers in their middle of lidl promotions for about £15.00

[AndyC_123]

Great thank you

They are cheaper than I thought too

[Krikkit]

You might want to consider an Optimate that can connect to multiple vehicles, or a series of cheaper ones of course!

https://www.optimate.co.uk/products/optimate-2-duo...

[caley64]

I use an Optimate charger to top up 4 or 5 batteries in the shed. Just move to a different one every few days.
As mentioned above, you could fit connector tails and just move charger from bike to bike.

[OutInTheShed]

I've got a little Ctek charger, also used it for car and boat batteries. Not cheap but paid for itself.

[RazerSauber]

I've got one from Dr Battery or something from about 6000 years ago. It had clamps on it but I chopped them off and made a little wire that connects directly to the battery with a quick disconnect in the middle. Makes life so much easier. As others have said, they make it a doddle once installed. Just make sure it's a weatherproof connector and keep it somewhere where it's not likely to get doused in heavy rain or if you go through a puddle.

[Moulder]

I have one of these mounted in the roof of the shed.

https://www.amazon.com/MotoBatt-MBC4B-Battery-Char...

Works well for up to 4 bikes at a time, kit comes with 4 tails that clip on and 4 with eyelets that attach to the battery. Most of my bikes have them attached to the battery with the end of the tail under the pillion seat.

Having the main unit mounted can be a disadvantage as the bikes need to be within around 2 metres of it. For those that aren't the Aldi/Lidl ones suggested are useful, particularly as they will do 6 volt as well.