tony-1977 Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Well it's that time of year again, freezing, and the battery goes flat after only a week of standing in a cold garage. I was going to buy an Optimate in the new year, but I've got on Oximiser for Christmas from the wife (she actually likes my bike ). Is there any difference between the two? I've just put it on charge now and the bottom 3 lights are on, the bike only grumbles when I hit the starter (been stood for about 2 weeks now in a sub-zero temp garage. I assume I need to wait for the top green light to come on before I can start it? Will the battery need replacing now, or is there a chance the oximiser could recover it? Any help, as always, would be appreciated. This is the first winter I've had a big bike, with no kickstart, as last year, my 125 was ALWAYS flat, and the kickstart worked wonders. Just I'd hate to be left stranded at work, as the bike would be outside for 12 hours there, as this bike WILL NOT push start at all . Quote
techno Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 I would say read the instuctions but definatly give it a good charge, mine was dead as and the charger brought it back so the bike would start i had left it 6 hours.I have finaly bought a new battery not sure i needed to but was just one more thing I thought for the price was best to change! Quote
tony-1977 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 The instructions are in every language except British I know from the previous owner that this battery survived the winter before last (he used it daily) and the bike stood for 6 months over last winter, indoors, and started up fine earlier this year when I bought it. What's the average life of a bike battery? My 7 year old car's got the original Not sure on bikes, though. Quote
techno Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Well my battery was the original (6 years) so thats why i decided to change it, thing is my charger keeps saying faulty battery but its charging it sowil have to check whats going on with the charger because thats one of the reasons i changed the batt..grrr supposed to be able to leave it connected but cant as the bloody thing beeps!! Quote
Pete Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Bike batteries are one of the most common problems on bikes. They've got a lot to deal with, and need to be space saving as well. However a good trickle charger should keep your battery in good nick for a much longer time than without one.If your battery has run totally flat DO NOT try and start the bike again until the trickle charger is happy. Wait for the OK from the green light. The difference between how a trickle charger charges and how the alternator charges is that the trickle charges very very very slowly gives the battery a charge, no problems with over heating or shocking the internal plates. The alternator will bollock the power straight at the plates very quickly and, while this might be OK for a couple of engine starts the plates won't hold their charge as well as they would after being trickle charged. As a general rule people say once a battery has been run completely flat it will never hold a full charge again. However many trickle chargers say they can bring batteries back from the dead (because the charge technique is different - see above paragraph). So basically you'll probably be OK, just give it time to charge it up, and don't try and turn it over until it's ready. Quote
tony-1977 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 So I've probably fooked the battery? Last month I jump-started the bike from the car (engine off). Done this twice now. I'll see how it goes later on today. Just checked and the green light on the oximiser is still not on yet. Thanks.... Quote
tony-1977 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 Well the green light came on and the bike started Took a few tries but hardly a surprise as it's still below zero out here, bloody freezing. Think I'll leave the oximiser on overnight??? or not??For now, though, I'm gonna chill out Quote
Guest Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Well the green light came on and the bike started Took a few tries but hardly a surprise as it's still below zero out here, bloody freezing. Think I'll leave the oximiser on overnight??? or not??For now, though, I'm gonna chill out I would, i believe it has maintenance cycles and stuff.... no harm in doing so anyways... Quote
NearOn Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Mine went flat the other week, i borrowed a mates 12v charger, blimey it was mega old. Was made in West Germany! But good old reliable germans forfilled my needs and the battery was brought back to life by the morning, might have to get myself one of these oxford ones though. Quote
tony-1977 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 Go for it, NearOn.... Only used mine once and it worked wonders. They're cheaper than Optimate, too Looks like it saved me a new battery! Quote
Guest Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 pages 2-7 are UK Oximiser 900, prob same for other models...http://www.oxprod.com/images/Pdfs/oximi ... ctions.pdf Quote
lingy3 Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) I know its been done to death but going to daughters where my Bike is stored till I can ride it July,charged batt an all,is it best to start, or just leave it. Edited January 13, 2010 by lingy3 Quote
Ashaman Jay Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 The battery on my bike was dying when I got it. It was on the Optimiser at the back door constantly. My last journey home from work I had to bump start it.It hit -14C one night during the holidays and the cold totally killed it. Went from showing green to red and wouldn't charge.Replaced the battery and checked the voltage on the old one with a multimeter. 2.2V Wouldn't even be enough to run my nephews toy car Quote
Phill_vtr Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 Something easilly overlooked now, in these times of maintenance free batteries is de-ionised water. I levered the top cover off the battery on the cockroach and added a bit of distilled water and restored the battery to as new condition (ish).This battery was about 3 years old and had not worked well if left for more than a day in cold weather for over 2 years, was ok in the summer for a few more days. It now starts the bike easilly when left for up to 2 weeks in the cold. I was resigned to buying a new battery before a mate reminded me about the water. Quote
Colin the Bear Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 Does anybody beside me use a Hydrometer?http://www.trueshopping.co.uk/product.p ... Hydrometer Quote
Ashaman Jay Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Does anybody beside me use a Hydrometer?http://www.trueshopping.co.uk/product.p ... Hydrometer I remember my uncle using one of them when I was a kid.He had a Kawasaki KH100 and the battery was always goin flat.This was in 1978 right enough I was 5 Quote
rennie Posted January 15, 2010 Posted January 15, 2010 I use 1 at work to measure how much anti freeze is in the cooling system Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.