charger: 24x7 - 4 months?

[HikerToo_imp]

I just bought the below charger, I'll leave the battery in the motorcycle and charge it in garage, I may ride it on weekends when temps gets above 45 F.
Question is, would you leave it connected 24x7 whenever not in use for the winter, or maybe just a day or two a week?

http://www.tecmate.com/u_optimate_3plus.php
http://www.amazon.com/OptiMate-3-battery...B001P5SU24

[meowguy_imp]

The techmate is designed to be left on the battery 24x7 as long as you need it for.

[the Ferret]

I dont have a techmate, but rather Battery tender juniors and mine are hooked up whenever I am not riding, 24/7/365 for years.

[Jim21680_imp]

^Same here with a Battery Tender. The key term is "maintainer", indicating that this is not a simple trickle charger (which apparently can and will over-charge a battery if left on). These are designed to be hooked up full-time, all year, whenever the bike isn't being ridden. From my experience, they are well worth the money!

[Guth_imp]

I'll simply echo the comments of others (using a Battery Tender).

[CIP57_imp]

PROVEN Save neglected / sulfated 12V batteries other chargers can't from as low as 2 Volts, most effective when battery is disconnected from the vehicle wiring as it shuts down high voltage desulfation if wiring is sensed

IMHO

First this charger does not have temperature compensation so it has no idea if its charging in 100 or below 32 degrees. Makes a difference as to the input of power to under or over charge the battery. Most chargers work off an ambient temp 0f 75 degrees. (See compensation chart) Be undercharging the battery in lower temps you are allowing sulfation to occur and by having your battery still in the bike your not allowing it to condition either. You are doing more harm than good to your battery by keeping it in your bike. If your going to ride sometimes during the winter put it on charge a couple of hours before you ride. If your not riding at all take the battery out of the bike in a controlled environment and place it on a piece of wood for the winter. Conditioning once a month would be a good choice.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Optimate 3 here, and not 24/7 365.

It can be used all the time, but for the last 15 years I have not. Every couple months I will connect up to the battery in bike. Although it appears to work, it is not efficient to use during the bowels of northern winter climate where the battery sits in -15C routinely. Below freezing, the battery isn't going to rot unless it is sick (e.g. corroded cell or two) already.

I have never lost a battery with the Optimate 3 being available.

[alprider]

i have the optimate 5 bcos i use it too for my diesel-car that has a powerfuler accu