Optimate battery charger drains the battery - SV650.org

flymo · 21-04-09, 08:44 AM

I learnt a simple but daft lesson the other day. I normally leave an optimate charger plugged into the battery on my race bike and its always worked just fine.

The other day though I needed to move the mains lead out of the way in the garage so I unplugged it from the wall socket and left the remainder connected to the bike battery......mistake. After a week or so I found it was enough to drain the battery totally flat....not even enough to light up the nuetral light, never mind spin up the starter.

Fortunately the Optimiser has recovered the battery and its working fine.

Moral of the story is if you are going to switch off the charger, make sure you disconnect it from the bike.

the_lone_wolf · 21-04-09, 08:52 AM

How can you be sure it was the Optimate and not the bike?

I've left my SV and DRZ connected to the Optimate when the plug was off by accident for a week or so and it's not drained the battery

flymo · 21-04-09, 09:17 AM

Well it deosnt happen when its not connected so I put two and two together

There may be improvements in later versions of the Optimate that cater for this though, which one do you have.

the_lone_wolf · 21-04-09, 09:20 AM

I have the Optimate "3" version

How often do you use the bike? Not that often with it being a race bike I'd assume? It might be worth trying a week with the charging connector unplugged to see if it doesn't discharge by itself?

21-04-09, 04:42 PM

i have an optimate 3 and my charger does this when its turned off but not unplugged, just remember to unplug it.

09-06-09, 09:02 PM

I have noticed a small red glow on the optimte when not charging but still connected. i am thinking this was what drained my battery.

TSM · 09-06-09, 09:12 PM

silly of them, a simple relay that cut the connections when not plugged into the mains would sort out problems like this

10-06-09, 07:01 AM

it tests the battery strength when connected, whether with the power on or off

flymo · 10-06-09, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSM

silly of them, a simple relay that cut the connections when not plugged into the mains would sort out problems like this

totally agree, this is a design flaw.

10-06-09, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flymo

totally agree, this is a design flaw.

not really, why have it connected if you are not charging the battery

21-04-09, 08:44 AM	#1
flymo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North West Posts: 3,124	Optimate battery charger drains the battery I learnt a simple but daft lesson the other day. I normally leave an optimate charger plugged into the battery on my race bike and its always worked just fine. The other day though I needed to move the mains lead out of the way in the garage so I unplugged it from the wall socket and left the remainder connected to the bike battery......mistake. After a week or so I found it was enough to drain the battery totally flat....not even enough to light up the nuetral light, never mind spin up the starter. Fortunately the Optimiser has recovered the battery and its working fine. Moral of the story is if you are going to switch off the charger, make sure you disconnect it from the bike.

21-04-09, 08:52 AM	#2
the_lone_wolf Captain Awesome Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hamble Posts: 4,266	Re: Optimate battery charger drains the battery How can you be sure it was the Optimate and not the bike? I've left my SV and DRZ connected to the Optimate when the plug was off by accident for a week or so and it's not drained the battery __________________ Official "Dumbass of the Year" 2011 (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■) Deal with it...

21-04-09, 09:17 AM	#3
flymo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North West Posts: 3,124	Re: Optimate battery charger drains the battery Well it deosnt happen when its not connected so I put two and two together There may be improvements in later versions of the Optimate that cater for this though, which one do you have.

21-04-09, 09:20 AM	#4
the_lone_wolf Captain Awesome Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hamble Posts: 4,266	Re: Optimate battery charger drains the battery I have the Optimate "3" version How often do you use the bike? Not that often with it being a race bike I'd assume? It might be worth trying a week with the charging connector unplugged to see if it doesn't discharge by itself? __________________ Official "Dumbass of the Year" 2011 (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■) Deal with it...

21-04-09, 04:42 PM	#5
Marksv Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Optimate battery charger drains the battery i have an optimate 3 and my charger does this when its turned off but not unplugged, just remember to unplug it.

09-06-09, 09:02 PM	#6
forklift Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Optimate battery charger drains the battery I have noticed a small red glow on the optimte when not charging but still connected. i am thinking this was what drained my battery.

09-06-09, 09:12 PM	#7
TSM The Sick Man Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Peckham.SE.LDN Posts: 4,768	Re: Optimate battery charger drains the battery silly of them, a simple relay that cut the connections when not plugged into the mains would sort out problems like this __________________ OTR: KTM 690 Duke R 2015 Full Akro SIDELINE: Kwak ZX636 A1P 2002, Red, R&G's, Yoshi, Double Bubble Screen GONE: Kwak ZX-7R P1, Full Akro, Undertray, Screen GONE: SV650S K2 Very Bruised & Without Fairing, Motovation Frame Sliders, R&G Ally Sprocket Toe Protector, HEL 2 Line Setup, GSXR K1 600 RWU Forks, Barnett Clutch & Springs, Penske 8981 Shock, Gilles Ti Rearsets, Steel Barends, Scottoiler, AFAM Chain & Sprockets, Twin FIAMM Horns, Skidmarx Bellypan, Full Micron Zeta Steel System, Cut down undertay. Forum Problems & Information / Site Suggestions

10-06-09, 07:01 AM	#8
Geoffrey Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Optimate battery charger drains the battery it tests the battery strength when connected, whether with the power on or off

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