To "Booster Start" or not to ??

[baldgiffer53]

I have considered purchasing a "Booster / charger"... I have 14 bikes and keeping them with charge has proved a nightmare !! And having moved home to a street location / no drive or garage its impossible to keep even the 4 I have on road at any time on trickle chargers.
So for occasional starts of the languishers I considered a Booster / Charger.. until my MOT bloke advised me he will not use such on ANY bike coming into his workshop.
However, my 2 BMWs have "Jump Cable Points" externally (battery is buried under petrol tank) and I have jump started then on many occasions without probs (why would BM provide the points if jumping a risk ?)
But for peace of mind,,, can anyone advise me on the DL1000 I have ?... not had need to consider jumping it anyway but forewarned and all that !!

[Mudster]

There is a small chance of a voltage spike when connecting/disconnecting the booster. A car battery is much bigger and is better able to limit the spike through all the bike circuits.

My view - I would use the booster and have jump started bikes from the car in the past without ill effect. There is a small chance of damage though and other opinions may differ.

Can you get the battery off (maybe put some connectors that you can separate into the battery leads. Would need to be high current capacity connectors). You could bring indoors then.

[tallpaul]

14 bikes, no garage and only on street parking? Your neighbours must love you!

[Sasquatch]

Letting batteries discharge very low/deep and jumping them will end their life very quickly. In extreme case, very deep discharge and violent jump, one cycle will kill it.

14 bikes on the street? Wouldn't worry about battery charging but thieving bastards.
Fit them all with battery trickle connection.
get 14 solar trickle chargers, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Panel-Mobile-Phone-Tablet-Power-Bank-Home-Lamp-External-Battery-Charger-SP/263552710057?epid=2287704846&hash=item3d5cf735a9:m:mi6CvPivp2yblQDCxBLSUxQ
I use 10W one in my car, 6W will work for bike. Custom made controller is needed, can knock 14 out at parts cost(£3-4 each) if you're interested. It would be epoxied to the back of the panel.

If bikes don't get nicked solar chargers shouldn't disappear too.

[kwackboy]

Solar chargers are great, we got one for when we leave our Audi at the airport . Leave it on the dash and it will keep your battery well charged ... 

[Sasquatch]

For battery as small as bikes couple of sunny days might be too much without any controller. Simplest one would cut charging when battery hits 13.8v - recommended standby long term charge voltage.