Triumph Bonneville T120, winter battery maintenance! The Triumph/Optimate 3 battery optimiser!

[@liamr2162]

very useful thanks. I'm hopeless at anything electrical but managed to do this myself having watched the video - a miracle!

[@Gaius0]

100% agree that the Optimate is an indispensable piece of kit for any bike owner. I have an Optimate 4 and every time I know I'm not going to use the bike for 2 weeks or more I take the battery out and connect it to the Optimate. Last year I did that while I was working abroad for 3 months and when I came back I put the battery back in the bike and it started as if I'd used it last the day before. Good to see there's now an even better option that allows to keep the battery charged without even taking it out of the bike. Great video once again Mr Fillingham!

[@stuartfillingham]

very diligent Jorge i commend your maintenance regime sir! I do believe the more convenient these devices are the more likely people are to use them so these little sytems are a winner in my book. thanks for watching!

[@pter7531]

Do you realise how valuable your videos are? Chapeau! Greetings from Brittany!

[@chrisbolton2500]

Yep, I fit your example profile exactly. First bike in 1975.......lost first battery in 1976, I now own three optimisers, one for each bike. To plug them in is as routine as filling with petrol, or washing, it's just something I do by rote. Concourse with your observations as to the instructions, but it is worth the effort. Really good informative video, and we'll explained.

[@chrisbolton2500]

That sold read Concour not concourse.........damn spill chucker!

[@stuartfillingham]

LOL! I knew what you meant Chris. yes so many people only think you should use them when you have a flat battery, but they are essential daily maintenance! Thanks for watching!

[@WayneWoodruff]

Another high quality video, thanks. On the left side of the pond, many dealers install fused pigtails directly to the battery prior to delivery. I use this for heated gear, which keeps the off-season to January and February. I have faithfully used Battery Tender Jr since they came on the market a couple of decades ago. They have several charging algorithms and fewer features and lights, but typically cost $25 to $30USD.

[@stuartfillingham]

ah if only we couldget such equipment so cheaply here! thanks for watching Wayne!

[@DC-gy5jn]

Good advice again Stuart , I've been using an Optimate 4 on the Bonny since 2008 and it's still going strong . Good bit of kit .

[@stuartfillingham]

you have a 9 year old battery? that is good going even with an optimiser! thanks for sharing that sir and for watching!

[@DC-gy5jn]

Crossed wires there , I have a 9 year old Optimate , and on my second battery .

[@stuartfillingham]

LOL crossed wires!!!!

[@DC-gy5jn]

Hah! There really was no pun intended , but you beat me to it .

[@hopgood007]

Hey Stuart, cracking video Sir. The Optimax is a must-have in my book and even though I ride my T120 all year in the winter months having the battery under care whilst the bike sits in a cold out-house is worthwhile. Thankyou again sir for a super-informative video. Your library is getting nicely comprehensive now.

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Paul nice to hear from you sir! and thank you. yes headlamps burning and heated grips also take their toll on the battery even on long winter rides so it would be silly not to have one! yes I think I'm at something like 72 videos now I'm hoping to increase publications as time goes on to perhaps a regular 2 videos per week and I am talking to a company at the moment about a long term project series to run alongside my current schedule! not sure if it will come off but its certainly a very exciting prospect stay tuned sir!

[@hopgood007]

Exciting times Stuart and of course I wouldn't miss any of it sir! By way I love your dog's stealth camo coat on the beach.

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Paul yeah he just lives for balls, he was waiting for that one to make a move so he could kill it! take a look on FB a recent post may give a clue!

[@crimmond06]

Hi Stuart, Thanks for the seasonal reminder. Optimate now dusted off and connected.

[@stuartfillingham]

seems like ive preaching to the converted!

[@Blawp2008]

Thanks Stuart for the reminder I have just been for a short run out and have put the optimiser on, I hadnt thought of putting the plug outside the side panel i may follow your example

[@stuartfillingham]

Hey Brian, yes the easier it is for you to connect her up the more likely you are to do so!

[@richardwanamaker9080]

I have a 2014 cbr500r Honda. It took a little finessing to find a good spot to extend the lead from the battery. However, the optimate 4 Works beautifully on the Honda as well as my two newer triumphs.

[@gavskin05]

Very helpful and easy to understand video, just purchased the unit for my Triumph bobber and feeling much better about using it now! Many thanks 🙏🏼

[@phillippayne8170]

Just finished fitting one of these Stuart and just updating info from your vid to refresh my memory on how the bloody thing works hahaha have a great weekend mate kind regards Phillip

[@tinks43]

Great choice Stuart! I’ve had Optimates for years and never a problem, the last one I bought Triumph didn’t have any 3s so they ended up getting me a 5 for the same money which is capable of charging batteries up to 120ah so I can use it for the car or van if needed, result 😀

[@iivaridark6850]

Yes we use them all time - always connect bikes on a charger after a days ride so there is no fuss about it and chargers stay on the whole winter too. We already had them when we had Yamahas and keep the good habit with our KTM:s...

[@stuartfillingham]

very sensible Mr Dark! thank you for watching sir!

[@darrenwalsh6965]

Excellent video and information as always Stuart, thanks for the update for fellow bikers, much appreciated. Cheers!

[@stuartfillingham]

you very welcome Darren, Thank you and thanks for watching

[@2hondaboy2]

Love your videos Stuart! Might I suggest that when installing the connections to the battery, undo the negative first as you show, then undo the positive, install the positive wire and battery cable with the negative still disconnected, then reinstall the negative connections. This would prevent any accidental short to the frame while installing the positive connections. Not sure if this is a better proceedure. Thanks again for the awesome vids!

[@stuartfillingham]

good point sir! you can get away with it if your careful. bad habit I picked up in my days in the motor trade no doubt, used cars and flat batteries were a common work day feature. thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@markhorton7013]

Nice and clear Stuart... thx. I've had an Optimate 4 for over 2 years now and swear by them. Superb at caring for your battery and will pay for itself time and again. Cost of a new battery each season after a winter of neglect is shocking (Pardon the pun lol)

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Mark I fully agree with you sir! thanks for watching

[@davidsy423]

Hi thanks for this valuable information, it was very clear and easy to understand.

[@tomjack4684]

As always informative and concise. I was trying to decide which charger to purchase. I have been using an Optimate 5 for the Ducati 821 . I’ll go with this 3 for the T120 (2018) Thank You for your efforts.

[@karldowden4499]

Nice video Stuart, however just a couple of points you may want to take into account. OptiMate chargers and CAN-bus. ALL OptiMate models, including the original from 1995 are suitable for use with CAN-bus electronics. The only motorcycles you need to use program 2/CAN-bus mode are BMW's. The term "CAN-bus compatible" was a misnomer started by BMW Motorrad's sales network. When the R1200GS was released BMW decided to have the socket controlled by the battery management software rather than having it permanently live as with the earlier machines. This model used CAN-bus, a first for a BMW motorcycle, and leaving the socket live would mean that many other systems would also be live and therefore the load on the battery would be quite excessive. The initial programming within the central wiring controller was to shut down the socket if the current dropped below 200mA for an extended period. Now this will of course present a problem as once the battery is close to full saturation the charger will only be delivering a few mA (normally around 20-50mA for a BMW depending upon live systems) and will subsequently shortly disconnected from the battery. To get around this issue BMW had a charger produced which sent a regular wake signal in the form of a 200mA pulse every few seconds. A charger which the sales network decided to call "CAN-bus compatible.", I assume they did this because it was easier to say than "Compatible with the programming within the motorcycle's central wiring controller."! TecMate, the manufacturers of the OptiMate, developed there own charger due to popular demand which unlike BMW's charger did not need the socket to be live in the first place. Thus the OptiMate 4 Dual Program was born. This model is now in its third version, the model you have is the second version.

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Karl thanks for that. optimate told me that the optimate 3 will not work automatically with the canbus system, i was just passing on what they told me. thanks for watching and for your comment.

[@karldowden4499]

Hi Stuart, you may want to check with who you spoke with and who the email replies were from ;)

[@garyandmaryannwhite3980]

Great video Stu. I'm going to acquire the Optimate to plug directly into my TTSE.

[@stuartfillingham]

very sensible gary, good move!

[@thelightside9688]

Excellent, very informative Sir. Keep em' comin'

[@stuartfillingham]

I will do my best! thanks for watching!

[@billbarrett6285]

I'm pleased to see you recommend the Optimate as I have it on the accessory list to get with the new T120 I intend to get soon. I've been debating on getting the new bike before the required Basic Rider Course so I can practice basic skills on private property and get the most out of the course or waiting until I've passed the course to get the bike. I'm not sure what people usually do or which is best.

[@foxtrotgolf5698]

The 2020 T100 comes from factory equipped with the same connector you installed in this video.

[@bobetvidanes3777]

Thank you sir.. God bless you. How i wish i could ride with you. Someday i will put exhaust pipe just like from british ... someday.

[@back2bikingpauljflynn820]

Great Video✅ Stuart 🎖

[@tusia0814]

Quick question regarding your cable connection from the Optimate 4 to the aux plug. Which cable did you buy? O-09? O-19? I unfortunately bought the wrong one first, cable O-02 and that doesn't work :(

[@warren9667]

Nice video, thank you

[@stuartfillingham]

thank you Warren and thanks for watching.

[@bullthrush]

Outstanding! Modern electronics at their best.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you sir!

[@destry5250]

Very nice-- thanks . . .

[@crimmond06]

Stuart, Is it best to leave the Optimate on or switch it on weekly for a few hours. Basically is it safe to leave it on? Everything is inside the garage.Cheers

[@stuartfillingham7011]

Kevin Conlon its best to leave it on kevin. When the battery is full the optimate will simply go on to standby until the battery charge drops again. Ive run then for years and they are perfectly safe. It complies with all relevent safety standards for the countries it is sold in.

[@Chef-Chad]

My 2022 Triumph T120 already has a dongle hanging down for a heat suit hookup I think, it came with the bike. Can I use this hookup, or do I have to use the one with the optimizer?

[@raymondpeters6174]

Should the charging light be blinking or solid green? I have a 2018 Speedmaster which means my battery is five years old. Do you think I should replace the battery?

[@timcollins1131]

Your camera work is excellent. can you tell and show us the equipment and set-up you use?

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you! I have thought about it Tim and your not the first person to ask, just not sure if everyone would actually be interested, ill may be do a video on the subject in the new year!

[@timcollins1131]

Hi Stuart, thanks for the prompt reply. I also appreciate you receive no value in educating your competitors, but to be brutally frank, they probably aren't listening!. I also appreciate that you are at the whim of KZbin as their algorithms control what is automatically fed to the consumer. Please keep up the good work, it is appreciated by this septugenarian engineer. I live in Thailand where the new Triumphs are made but I am staggered at their cost even here!

[@garthbritton6461]

Hi Stu, other than having power connected or going for regular rides, do you have any suggestions for winter battery maintenance if there is no power in the garage? (as is the case for me).

[@stuartfillingham]

hello again garth I believe oxford products make a solar powered charging system. not tried it myself but might be worth a look!

[@musingswithmgl]

What's this winter you speak of? I live in Florida, USA and it's riding time all year long. I have no idea what "winterizng" bikes is about. :)

[@stuartfillingham]

Oh stop it! LOL thanks for watching sir!

[@SickBikeDude]

Ya know Stuart, after watching many of your videos you’re really turning me onto the chrome version vs the black. I think it looks even more classic. I’m wondering if the care of the bike is harder or easier with the blacked out version or maybe it’s the same. (I’m a complete noob) Thanks man.

[@Eastsussexbiker]

Hi Stuart I have a op 3 left on battery and green light blinks one it goes solid it ready for use is that correct. I had to top up the water I suspect battery faulty but by what you say it’s still in a state of charge

[@twinphill900]

Charger sales up battery sales down

[@stuartfillingham]

LOL thanks for watching Phil

[@dv2045]

i bought the optimizer3 and the charge light stays still for well over half an hour! anyone knows why it does this? thanks!

[@stuartfillingham]

I wouldn't worry about it! maybe the battery just requires some charge!

[@Back2TheBike]

Nice one Stuart. I'm coming back to biking after a long gap, so this is all new to me. Was wondering about the Optimate 6 as it doubles as an all purpose charger to charge up 110 ah leisure batteries for chicken and horse fencing. Any thoughts?

[@stuartfillingham]

I dont have any experience of it sir so i couldnt really comment, but if the additional features are useful to you then i would presume it would be a worthwhile purchase. my only concern is whether using it for other things might interfere with the maintenance of your bikes battery, as it cant be in 2 places at once.

[@Back2TheBike]

That's true. The bike I'm buying is second hand and comes with the dongle-thing already attached to the battery, so I presume the previous owner must have had an Optimate. I do like the idea of 'sweating' assets, getting maximum use from the unit, and charging up the leisure batteries is only an occasional thing, but most of the time the unit will be attached to the bike's battery. BTW I'm finding your advice generally helpful - the virtual mentor role you play is much appreciated. Nothing like some proper down to earth Yorkshire (East Humberside?!) common sense ...

[@stuartfillingham]

East Yorkshire sir! if it has the connector your part way there give it a try and let me know how you get on, maybe I can look in to reviewing one in the future! thanks for your comment and your support in watching my videos!

[@Hummingbird_650]

Can i use this optimizer for Royal enfield interceptor bike??

[@LostStylus]

what's the difference between optimate 3 and 4?

[@jimwoollard8329]

Apart from about £3 in price what is the difference between the 3 and 4 versions?

[@stuartfillingham]

Sorry Jim I thought I had explained it. the optimate 4 is designed to work via the bikes canbus or Linbus system, so the bike needs to have a correctly wired accessory Din socket in oreder to use it. the optimate 3 is designed to be connected directly to the bikes battery.

[@phillippayne8170]

how long can you leave it safely connected to the charger mine has now gone to maintain solid green

[@stuartfillingham]

leave it connected permanently Phillip, whenever you are not riding, it is not just a battery charger, it maintains your battery and keeps it in peak condition!

[@jimpion]

What products do you use, and how do you clean and maintain your Optimiser? Lol

[@stuartfillingham]

don't be impatient! thats for the next video!

[@Darranna]

Hi Stuart, I've just become the new owner of a 2019 Speed Twin and was considering purchasing an Optimate 4 and also fitting an accessory socket. I notice on one of the posts below you say " the optimate 4 is designed to work via the bikes canbus or Linbus system, so the bike needs to have a correctly wired accessory Din socket in order to use it" How should it be wired?

[@nicola.cammisa]

Another great video, which is going to cost me another 50 quid... LOL... Is it another urban myth that the battery should be totally disconnected during (trickle) charging or it could fry the ECU?

[@stuartfillingham]

It depends on the charger Nicola but you should be perfectly safe with most of the intelligent battery tenders!

[@beebeer]

I've been using an optimiser on my FJR1300 for 11 years, always plugging it in when I get back from a ride and it's still the original battery! For the last 4 years or so I've been using a Warrior Battery Optimiser which does the job for a bargain price www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/battery-chargers-conditioners/warrior-battery-optimiser

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Mr Beebeer just found your comment in the junk folder. You Tube doesn't like comments with links attached so tends to junk them. thanks for your comment and for watching sir.

[@redmires82]

Hey, that Warrior charger is the exact same model as my "Oxford Oximiser" that I've used for nigh on 15 years. And it's still going strong. Stuart - how did you manage to take the dog to the beach on the back of your bike ?

[@stuartfillingham]

Ill have to look in to these warriors everyone keeps talking about. and don't be silly you cant take a dog on the back of a bike! he has his own bike!

[@AndreasKachais]

Why has Triumph designed and made the greatest touring Motorcycle and destroy it all by making the replacement of the Battery impossible?

[@iRDaBrit]

Uncle Stu - how many times do our American cousins ask what "offer up" means? :)

[@Rosakru]

Great video again Stuart. I use a similar product and have since day one of taking delivery of my Street Cup. I use the CTEC XS 0.8 regularly and have no complaints. ☺ www.ctek.com/products/vehicle/xs-0-8

[@stuartfillingham]

thank you sir! and thanks for watching!

[@clauderegnault124]

Bonjour, ce doit être anglais je n'ycomprends rien !