Do you store your R18 on a Trickle Charger

[BAD MIKE USA]

I am considering leaving my R18 attached to my NOCO Genius 1 charger all winter while stored in my unheated garage. But I am thinking about connecting a weekly timer, so it charges about 1 hour a week or whatever amount of time it takes to come to a full charge. I have a new NOCO NLP30 lithium battery installed. What do you think?

 

[bdalameda]

It is really not a good idea to store a lithium battery at full charge. It is recommended that the battery not exceed about 60% of charge for extended periods of storage time. A lithium battery can hold a charge for a very long time as compared to a lead acid battery. I would not worry too much about the battery for several months. If you have any concerns about parasitic loss on the battery just disconnect it while in storage.

 

[Petrus]

It is really not a good idea to store a lithium battery at full charge.

does not apply to LiFePo4

@Bad Mike
Just charge it and disconnect. Will be ok for well over a month. Then recharge. A two week timer charging for an hour sounds perfe to me.

 

[LBV]

I leave my stock battery on an Optimate one that plugs into to DIN plug on the left side all winter long. They're smart enough to not over-charge.

I've done that on all my bikes for over 10 years now, no issues ever but this is the 1st winter on my R18.

 

[bdalameda]

Everything I have read says that LifePo4 batteries should be stored at less than 100% SOC and 50% SOC is good. Storing at 100% SOC will cause the battery to degrade slightly over time. Here is a video about storing these batteries. Not for motorcycles but still applies.

https://www.google.com/search?q=lif...ate=ive&vld=cid:2f4e059a,vid:e1g86ldKh20,st:0

 

[bdalameda]

I leave my stock battery on an Optimate one that plugs into to DIN plug on the left side all winter long. They're smart enough to not over-charge.

I've done that on all my bikes for over 10 years now, no issues ever but this is the 1st winter on my R18.

The stock battery is a lead acid type battery so using a trickle charger is fine.

 

[skidward]

Yes, on a smart charger.

 

[Red64]

Would depend on the minimum temperature you experience. If below freezing I would charge to 80% then store inside. I still have the original so just on the optimate as above. we got to -11 centigrade the other night so happy to keep it on trickle.
I made the mistake with a Lifepo4 leaving it outside and it was scraped after winter. So next one when I update the original will be stored inside over the winter.

 

[bdalameda]

Would depend on the minimum temperature you experience. If below freezing I would charge to 80% then store inside. I still have the original so just on the optimate as above. we got to -11 centigrade the other night so happy to keep it on trickle.
I made the mistake with a Lifepo4 leaving it outside and it was scraped after winter. So next one when I update the original will be stored inside over the winter.

I have had similar problems when a battery loses so much charge that it will not take a charge with a charger connected. I found out if you take another battery and with jumpers on it and touch positive to positive and negative to negative for a few seconds and then reconnect the charger the LifePo battery will then start taking a charge. This recently happened to a Honda I had in storage with the factory Lithium battery. When I did this it immediately started to take a charge and I have been using the same battery now for almost two years without a problem.

 

[Rufus]

I leave my stock battery on an Optimate one that plugs into to DIN plug on the left side all winter long. They're smart enough to not over-charge.

I've done that on all my bikes for over 10 years now, no issues ever but this is the 1st winter on my R18.

Ditto. Been doing this for years. Bike always fires up first churn. (Optimate 4 CanBus edition).

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

does not apply to LiFePo4

@Bad Mike
Just charge it and disconnect. Will be ok for well over a month. Then recharge. A two week timer charging for an hour sounds perfe to me.

Would depend on the minimum temperature you experience. If below freezing I would charge to 80% then store inside. I still have the original so just on the optimate as above. we got to -11 centigrade the other night so happy to keep it on trickle.
I made the mistake with a Lifepo4 leaving it outside and it was scraped after winter. So next one when I update the original will be stored inside over the winter.

Minimum temperatures here in the USA can reach -20 . It needs occasional charging to keep it near normal. I have a one week timer and thats what I am going to use.

 

[FVallely]

I've been using a ctek charger for years. 4+ years battery life on my K1600. Use it now on the r18 with the din plug. Plug it in whenever parked.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

Minimum temperatures here in the USA can reach -20 . It needs occasional charging to keep it near normal. I have a one week timer and thats what I am going to use.

Modern LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, common in some EVs and aftermarket automotive/motorcycle starters: 2,000–6,000+ cycles, sometimes up to 9,000–10,000 under ideal conditions. These are more durable and taper off more slowly. Each time the battery is topped off, is a cycle. Charging continuously with a modern charger does give many cycles. I am going to charge mine once a week for 1-2 hours, one cycle. Longer battery life. Lithium Ion Phosphate battery. My battery is a new NOCO NLP30, lithium iron phosphate.

 

[Star-Lord]

Today's battery trickle chargers are intelligent, where they will manage the battery maintenance; even more so for Li chemistry type batteries, where the BMS does most of the smart work.

I have the stock AGM that came with my 2022 Model B; I connect it to the BMW battery tender, which has an AGM and a Li setting depending on the type of battery you have installed - I connect it after each ride and leave it connected throughout the winter months with zero problems...

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

I always did the same as you with the stock battery in my 2021 but it seemed to be getting weak a few months back so I replaced it with a NOCO NLP30 lithium battery. Now, I hope to make this new tech battery last 10 years! You have to have goals!

 

[Star-Lord]

I always did the same as you with the stock battery in my 2021 but it seemed to be getting weak a few months back so I replaced it with a NOCO NLP30 lithium battery. Now, I hope to make this new tech battery last 10 years! You have to have goals!

Lead Acid AGM batteries typically have a 5 yrs EOL cycle, sometimes longer.. i.e. my 2008 GS/Adv battery lasted 8 yrs before I needed to replace it.

 

[Mr. Efficiency]

I am a long time BMW owner and on my CANBUS bikes I just attach a pigtail to the battery and use a regular inexpensive battery trickle charger/maintainer on them. It’s how I get my best results. My 2021 FE battery is still optimal and it is a glass mat battery. I’ve never had a battery last this long (I am a battery killer so I’m feeling good

 

[emgarciax]

I always did the same as you with the stock battery in my 2021 but it seemed to be getting weak a few months back so I replaced it with a NOCO NLP30 lithium battery. Now, I hope to make this new tech battery last 10 years! You have to have goals!

Bit the bullet and went with the NOCO NLP30. Should be here tomorrow.

 

[cheeseBagger]

The NOCO Genius1 is smart enough to not overcharge your battery if left on constantly - or so they say!
Keep your battery fully charged without worrying about overcharging. Our smart charger constantly monitors the battery, allowing you to leave it connected safely - indefinitely - for worry-free maintenance.

 

[emgarciax]

Got that one too. So it's NOCO NLP30 and Genius 1 combo for me.
I'm charging / tendering via the R 18 built-in charge pots.