Hi all I am collecting an 899 Panigale and have noticed that "only the Ducati charger" is recommended. I have a CTEK MXS 5.0 which I have used with great effect on my other bikes and cars. Is there any reason not to used the CTEK? Is there anything about the vehicle wiring or the battery type that the Ducati charger takes account of?
FWIW, I was using a CTEK MXS10 on my 899 for about 18 months without issues on the standard battery. I left it connected on trickle charge when not riding the bike. Obviously, if its got a Lithium battery, then the CTEK MXS wont be compatible.
Welcome. Why don’t you introduce yourself properly in the newbies section. ps. I have a Ducati trickle charger on my Scrambler and a CTek on my Panigale.
Any reputable charger will do but check if battery is lead acid or lithium first obviously. Optimate is my choice and the bottom of the range Optimate 1 automatically detects the battery type and charges either well. And it’s cheap as chips.
I have an Optimate solar charger for my Multistrada, costs nothing to run, just a little more to buy, plus I had to buy parts for and make a solid rooftop mount for the panel. Only good for lead-acid or AGM batteries though. If Lithium then they may have addressed that since I purchased mine a couple of years ago.
Really? I ask as I read yesterday that my Virgin box costs £20 a year in power consumption. So if a battery charger was one of four (my house) and used at least the same amount of power -it eats up £80 a year!
If you re-read my post it says I have a solar Optimate, last I checked I haven't had a bill from mother nature for sunshine over the last couple of years I note that they now charge Lithium batteries too.
No complaints, keeps the battery topped up OK. Doesn't need direct sunshine, just daylight though will be a lower rate of charge. The 40w version states "ideal for all batteries from 10-160Ah", the 20w version just says "ideal for all powersports vehicles"... I went with the 20w as the 40w was verging on over spec'd for the 10Ah battery in my Mutley. Haven't had any discharge issues since fitting it no matter the season. Keeps battery charged despite tracker and alarm which are both armed when in my garage.
ive got an optimax one so far i haven't used it, ive had the bike sit for a month or so and its starts no problem
FWIW, I left an R6 not on charge, and it killed the battery and couldnt recover it so had to buy a new battery - as I leave mine plugged in for about 4-5 months a year full time, then on and off when in bikes in use during summer so is cheaper then than the cost of new batteries!
