Two Year Old Battery Defunct

[gregor]

Used an original Optimate battery tender and found out the hard way that it is not suitable to condition a gel battery. Battery was off charge for only 4 days and the dreaded chattering of the starter heralded low voltage. The clock stopped working as well. Put it on charge for a few hours and started and ran fine. Newer version of the charger now on order but I fear a new battery will be needed as well. As well as the new or adjusted bearing in the swinging arm.
Expense expense. If only everything was as cheap as my BILs Commando.

[gregor]

I have used an Optimate 4 for the succeeding 4 years without any bother. Connected all the time in the garage. So recommended.

[sjbmw]

I was advised years ago to spend the money and get a BMW gel charger, as the BMW battery is a finicky animal, and not all chargers are up to the task.

There is a thread here that explains the problem in technical terms, but I am electrically deficient, and don't know a volt from an amp.

[Chas]

FYI, I have had excellent service from Panasonic batteries. These are basic sealed batteries. I lost track of time and recently replaced one that was working fine when I realized it was almost 8 years old . I use a Battery Tender. You will probably need to make a small bracket to adapt the power cable to the terminal. Caution: there are knockoff panasonics at even lower prices. I have never tried those.