996 batterys

I'm never convinced keeping a battery on an Optimate all the time is a good idea for the reasons you mention.

Try a Motobatt AGM battery. I fitted one to my 748 three years ago now and its been excellent. I only occasionally charge it up if i haven't used the bike for a while.

 

As duke63 my motobat has been on 3 years trouble free with only the occasional top up when not in use over the winter.
Steve

 

can't speak for modern batteries but i'm convinced the old wet type need 'exercising' - a bit of cranking and a bit of replenishing (so regularly up and down) for a longer life which is the opposite to what an Optimate does. I can remember a mate throwing his heavy duty battery away (more prone to a lazy life in a small vehicle) out of his VW Camper. the battery wasn't very old so I fetched it from wherever he had dumped it and then charged it (lightly for a long time) and then ruthlessly flattened it by cranking and then charging again and repeating*. If you are in with a chance of saving it, each time you go to charge it, it will draw more amps initially. If while cranking/partially shorting (watch your eyes) you find (often a pole) cell starts to fume and vent violently while the others 'stay calm' then chances are battery can't be saved as that cell has started to go closed-circuit.

*he put it back in his Camper !

 

And the old chestnut of upgraded cables and clean connection points. But I won't bore you with the detail already expounded in this forum (unless you ask nicely).

 

Mine is the same, always kept on the optimate, but the hyper doesn't fail to start when i come home after a four week trip.
I need to check the 996 for a discharge, failing that it must be a knackered battery.

 

I had a spate of problems using Dynavolt batteries and I would never recommend them as they seem to really dislike an Optimate being used on them, I have now started using a Yuasa, this has a slightly more higher amp hour rating and so far this seems to have done the trick.

 

Another vote for Motobatt, they may be a heavy battery but a 916/996 needs the reserve, both for starting and maintaining 'healthy' wiring.

Previously used Yuasa but the Motobatt has more kick and is only slightly heavier. Fancy, lightweight batteries are too troublesome for a road bike IMO.

 

Not overcharging is it? (the bike), can boil off the battery electrolyte.

 

Worth fitting a voltmeter to give advance warning of recitifier/charging problems. This one is neat and small enough to fit below under the speedo; EMV 1200 | Panel Instruments

 

I now have a digital dash with voltmeter built-in but used the Lascar meter before, initially I had problems with it blowing as the voltage output from a Ducati reg/reg is too 'harsh' but there's a simple mod you can do (couple of diodes + a resistor) to eliminate the spikes that make them last well.

That said the LED looks a good option, although I like to know the actual voltage.

 

I have the same as Steve and it works perfectly, it has different flash rates to give accurate information. Been on two years now.
Steve

 

The Motobatt on my 999 is dying, only 16 months old. Kept indoors in cold weather and charged from time to time on Optimate. Not impressed. Going to try and recover it with Optimate till end of October and replace next year. Been recommended Numax by a landrover person, anyone used these?

Cheers, Keith