Battery oximiser

[Pauarc]

What are your thoughts on battery oximiser good or bad been given one can you leave connected all the time when bike not being used

[paul G]

I found that if they are left connected all the time they dry out the battery (lead acid).
I have 4 but don't use them anymore.
I take the batteries off and just give them a top up charge every now and again.
They are kept in a box I made so they are not exposed to very cold temperatures over the winter.

[Spitfire]

Not used that one, but my CB750F1 is always hooked up to my Optimate III which probbaly does the same thing as the one in your photo, I just leave the tail on the bike and hook up and disconnect when needed. But as said whatch the acid level as I did have one dry out a few years ago.

Cheers

Dennis

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

There are quite a few versions of what I call Smart Chargers - that looks like one of them.

I have a couple of C-Tek units my first unit is now 19 years old. It is connected to our little used car for about 10 months of the year 24/7 never had an issue with the battery drying out. I suspect that is due to it being a very low output unit sold as a Merc Part for liitle used vehicles

I bought a clone version from Aldi that went faulty after about 18 months - the mode button failed.

I replaced that with the MXS-5 version mainly for car batteries but it has a bike mode so I use it for regular bike top ups - works with Lead Acid, & AGM. Due to the small capacity of bike batteries I do not leave them on once the battery is fully charged as indicated on the units traffic light type system.

[Skoti]

Got a cheapo trickle charger from Lidl plugged in via a timer switch, which is set for 1 hour per day and that seems to work fine.

As Paul mentions it's also a good idea to bring your batteries in from the cold during winter, as severe frost will bugger them if they are in a low charge state.   

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

What are your thoughts on battery oximiser good or bad been given one can you leave connected all the time when bike not being used

Having read the manufacturers spiel it looks pretty good with a neat display for voltage & amps at that price should be good quality.

On some brands you can't always use them via a timer - it depends if the mode switching is lost when you power down. I'm biased as I have the C-tek - you can buy different leads that enable easy connection on a bike using an inline plug common to the range as well as cigar lighter & extra long leads with clips etc

https://www.oxfordproducts.com/motorcycle/brands/oxford/battery_care_and_power_accessories/oximiser_900_essential_battery_management_system/

[Rozabikes Tim]

I've got a C Tek. Its "bob on".

[Jan B]

My two (complete) bikes are on a Ctek during winter. I use Motobatt AGM batteries and after more than 5 years stil ok.

[Martin6]

Oximiser is good and I had no problems leaving it plugged in all the time the bike's in the garage. My frustration with them is the poor quality white 2-pin plugs they use to connect up. They become increasingly difficult to line up.

I bought a CTEK in the end.

[Pauarc]

The oximiser I have fitted has a two pin connector fixed to battery on bike and plugged into unit

[Martin6]

That's the plug. I find they are fine for the first dozen or so times they're connected up, but they steadily get bent or loosened in the plastic and get more and more difficult to get a solid connection.

But I like the unit itself. Never a problem with the battery and also a very simple display.

[Pauarc]

If it begins to give trouble I will just change the plug and socket

[Pauarc]

Do batteries drain when not being used I was thinking about putting a kill switch under seat for when the bike is not being used any thoughts on it

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Do batteries drain when not being used I was thinking about putting a kill switch under seat for when the bike is not being used any thoughts on it

All batteries drain over time even when disconnected - the voltage rate loss over time for lead acid is higher than that of AMG ones who hold the voltage higher for longer.

As the battery becomes older due to Sulphination of the plates inside the rate of voltage loss increases.  - so they go flat quicker.

[Pauarc]

If you have to top up battery does that shorten the battery life my bat is only a year old and I had to top it up yesterday with distilled water they were just above the minimum