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[Riggers]

Hi Guys (and gals). I was thinking of buying myself a Christmas present in the form of an Optimate battery charger. However when i started poking around on e.bay I noticed that now there are new fangled things available called Oximisers, as well as little jobs about the size of a mobile phone charger for around £5.99. So we have Optimates for around 40 quid, Oximisers at around 20 quid and the tiny things for 6 quid. My question is does anyone know the difference and the pros and cons? Cheers all.

[Paul M H]

I Just brought the Optimate 4 one from Hitchcocks I ordered it on Tuesday afternoon and it was on my doorstep in London by 08:00 Weds morning I charged the work bullet with it yesterday over night and it started perfect this morning its now charging my Sportsman over night seems a very good charger and is highly recommended in most bike mags.

[Paul M H]

This bit went Missing- As it also charges and reconditions your battery's as well as being a ordinary charger its also maintenance charger that can be left on the battery to keep it topped up as it goes though several phases of charging that keeps it on stand by.

[PeteF]

The little cheap chargers are OK at giving the battery a trickle charge but don't leave them on all the time. The most inportant thing about charging batteries is NEVER to give them more than 10% of their amp/hours. The more expensive chargers "condition" the battery by allowing it to discharge a bit before topping it up again. Well, that's what they say anyway. For waht it's worth I have an optimate that is connected to one or other of the 3 batteries in the garage when they are not in use and it seems to do a good job. Which reminds me to swop over from the Bullet to the Cub tomorrow.

[jaffa90]

I agree with PeteF,you get what you pay for,just threw one in the bin (like a phone charger) after testing the battery charging voltage at 15v.

[John R]

I have an Optimate which does what it says on the tin, including restoring to life a sulphated battery which wouldn't take a charge from the bike. More recently, when my alternator wasn't keeping up with my electrics, I kept the bike plugged in while not using it, using the semi-permanent connector supplied.

Recommended by me.

[grunda 12]

FUEL TO THE FIRE ,I HAVE HAD THE SMALL PHONE TYPE TRICKLE CHARGER FOR OVER 10 YEARS IT DOES 12V &6V NO PROBS NEVER COOKED A BATTERY OR OWT i believe electrical guru paul goff does them ,i got mine while i was in the trade,i find oxford products over priced and have heard poor reports about their optimates while on about oxford products i had one of their box piss pot helmets and the car type seat belt clip strap broke so won,t be giving them any revenue again ,just my thoughts do what you feel is correct for you riggers!atb paul.

[PeteF]

Yes, Paul Goff has a decent looking small charger at £12.25. It's the only one he stocks so he must think it's OK (and he should know)

[jaffa90]

grunda12,that`s the type 12v/6v i binned (two weeks ago) after a few years usage,i just put the multimeter on it whilst it was charging and it showed 15v.I /we know it`s all about amperage but my Optimate oximiser never goes above 13.6v.

[John R]

An Optimate will, it is claimed, sometimes go to 24v on a very small current which will fix a shagged battery that won't take a charge.
All I can say is it works.