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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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Trickle charging
Having gone to my XT the other day and found the battery to be discharged, I've decided that, especially at this time of year, I should look into trickle charging the battery. I don't ride the bike much during the winter ( because I'm skiing and stuff, nothing to do with being a fair weather biker or anything ) and I understand it's not good for a battery to be heavily discharged and then recharged repeatedly.

However, I understand there may be issues with overcharging the battery etc? Can anyone reccomend a good (cheap!) trickle charger I can leave hooked up to my bike while I'm not using it which will keep my battery in tip top condition?

Thanks,

MAtt
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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The "Battery Tender " is the best ,but it's not very cheap .
Or you could put your battery in a window hooked up to a small solar panel and charge controller .
Or use a low power battery charger hooked up to a timer .
Or ride more often .
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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Hi Matt, It's not really a cheap option but I bought an Optomiser trickle charger a few years ago ( £30 ish from Hein Gurkin ). It came with a lead to wire direct to the battery ( and another with crocodile clips ) and is easy to plug in, I use it on my XT and GS1150 (not at the same time) and however cold it is the bike fires up enthusiastically at the press of the button - every time. It's pretty robust and has survived a few drops onto concrete floors. I've also bought a connector ( the male bit ) some wire and a cigarette lighter socket from Maplins and made a charger socket that plugs into the Optomiser socket wired to the bike battery ( for charging the mobile phone when I'm out and about ). Hope that's some help.
Cheers Mike
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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The Tender made it work. Ran cord from Motel room.
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 07:59.
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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I use an Optimate on my bikes; I have fitted a socket to each of them so it's easy to hook up. I also made up a "jump lead" with the same connectors. Most of the lads I ride with have the same socket and it would be easy to hook two bikes together for a boost. Also useful if you rig up an accessory socket/optimate lead you can charge a phone run a GPS, worklight, mini-compressor, etc.

Good bit of kit and well worth 30 odd quid
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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Thanks for the advice guys. I hadn't thought of using an adapter socket for charging the battery. That would make things a lot more convenient and a socket would be a useful thing to have on the bike.

Will have a look to see what I can get in the UK.

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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SAE on the other. Very fast and simple.
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 07:59.
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