John Milbank tested the Optimate DC in March 2026 to assess its value for riders storing bikes away from mains power. Costing £96.90, the charger takes energy from a secondary battery, such as a car or leisure unit, to charge and maintain motorcycle batteries. It supports both lead-acid and lithium types and delivers up to 2A.
It can revive batteries as low as 2V, operate down to -40°C, and remain connected for long periods. The unit draws around 23mA in standby, enough for roughly two months of use from a 40Ah source before recharging. A leisure battery of around 100Ah can extend that to five months, depending on the motorcycle’s health and any alarms or trackers fitted.
The charger connects through Optimate’s standard SAE leads, with robust clips and an IP54 rating suitable for outdoor use. In tests, it charged a 14Ah motorcycle battery in about seven hours.
At £80 for a compatible leisure battery, the full off-grid setup remains affordable. The Optimate DC becomes a solid choice for riders without access to a wall socket. It keeps bikes ready for the road while using minimal energy from a donor battery.
My two cents…
Nice video review from John at Bennet’s. If your bike spends winter sulking in a shed miles from a plug socket, the Optimate DC might save you from push-start purgatory. For about £97, it slurps juice from a car or leisure battery to top up your motorcycle’s, handling both lead‑acid and lithium.
Click on the link below for the full article:
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/products/motorcycle-maintenance-and-servicing/optimate-dc-off-grid-battery-charger
