Battery Conditioner/ Trickle Charger recommendations

Battery Conditioner/ Trickle Charger recommendations

Author
Discussion

Walter Sobchak

Original Poster:

5,725 posts

231 months

Thursday 30th May
quotequote all
Hi everyone, I’ve messed up a new battery by just leaving it since last year and it’s not holding charge.
Another battery got put in a couple of weeks ago and want to keep it in good condition, sadly I just am not getting out on the bike as often as I’d like at the moment due to being busy with work!.
Could anyone recommend a battery conditioner I can just leave plugged in that keeps the battery in good condition for when I go get out on it.

TuonoPants

294 posts

151 months

Thursday 30th May
quotequote all
I use a lot of Victron chargers which are very good. And they have Bluetooth so you can check your battery without having to go in the garage. I use this one on my bike and it's been excellent https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/victron-energy-blue...

bogie

16,613 posts

279 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
Ive got a few, the CTEK 5.0amp as previous poster is great , had for 10 years, I use that on my cars now as have lithium batteries on the bikes.

For bikes I have lithium batteries and Optimate charger that does lead acid or lithium. Could be worth it for future, as more bike are coming from the factory with lithium batteries.

https://www.optimate.co.uk/battery-chargers/optima...


Krikkit

26,997 posts

188 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
For the bike I have the lowest-rated CTEK XS 0.8, it's been flawless for 5 years now. I also like their connectors, much easier to do one-handed, and the smart fly leads with battery indicators are really useful.

Edited by Krikkit on Friday 31st May 12:36

Bob_Defly

4,058 posts

238 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
I have a bunch of Noco chargers and power packs etc, really good quality.

loftylad

307 posts

236 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
I have a CTEK Mxs 5 for the car and an Optimate 3 for the ‘bike. Both excellent.

I’ve always used an Optimate for my ‘bikes.

CTEK’s are also great, but mainly geared towards using on cars. As was said above, if you do go CTEK, just get the lowest rated one. (Amperage, not quality. lol)

NOCO seem to get good reviews, but I’ve never tried them.

These chargers pay for themselves. I’ve never had to buy a new battery in 30 odd years of driving/riding.
Plus whatever you want to start, starts every time. (And stuff like stop/start technology works correctly if you’re into that sort of thing - as your battery is always fully charged)

Simon_GH

405 posts

87 months

Friday 31st May
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HighwayStar said:
Seconded. I use one of these for the bike and the cars.

RemaL

25,010 posts

241 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
Simon_GH said:
HighwayStar said:
Seconded. I use one of these for the bike and the cars.
My current trickle changer so thirded


Edited by RemaL on Saturday 1st June 18:00

ScoobyChris

1,812 posts

209 months

Friday 31st May
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RemaL said:
My current trickle changer so thrived
Have one also - must be 11 years old now and still going strong!

Chris

HighwayStar

4,474 posts

151 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
Simon_GH said:
HighwayStar said:
Seconded. I use one of these for the bike and the cars.
I don’t have a bike but it has a bike setting. I’d never bothered with trickle chargers/condioners until weekend cars arrived in my life. It’s sits on the CTEK 4-5mths whilst SORN’d over the winter. It’s keeps the battery in tip top condition and I wouldn’t be without one.

Walter Sobchak

Original Poster:

5,725 posts

231 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
Thanks everyone, looking like CTEK is the way to go from everyone’s replies.

I’ve actually got a Yuasa YCX6 which I think does maintain them too but it seems more like a straightforward charger than a conditioner/trickle charger to me so going to get one of the others ordered.

Krikkit

26,997 posts

188 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
Get one of these with it while you're at it: https://www.ctek.com/uk/battery-chargers-12v-24v/a...

JimbobVFR

2,727 posts

151 months

Friday 31st May
quotequote all
Another vote for CTEK

Krikkit said:
Get one of these with it while you're at it: https://www.ctek.com/uk/battery-chargers-12v-24v/a...
I've got either an indicator connected or just the straight connector on every vehicle battery I own (2 including a leisure battery on my Bongo camper)
I'm not convinced the indicator is that necessary TBH and the non indicator version is half the price.

The extension lead is also handy while you're at it

Orchardab

484 posts

133 months

Friday 31st May
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I have a CTEK charger for the bike.
It’s been very good.

RemaL

25,010 posts

241 months

Saturday 1st June
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Just bare in mind if you change to a lithium battery they don't like long term trickle charge. I left my bike battery which was 5 years old off my Ctek for a few months and killed the original battery. So for about £20 more bought a good quality lithium battery but have to connect it about every 2 months during winter to my lithium charge for a hour or 2. which is enough