Is the power socket on a 2002 ST4 still live with the ignition off? Thinking about whether I can connect my Optimate charger to the socket rather than removing the lower fairing panel and connecting direct to the battery. What do you guys do when bike is not in use for a while?
Optimate makes more sense,you get power with the ignition off,you have an optimate lead attached ,best of both worlds,and the position of the lead makes more sense as your leg can dislodge the wiring from the auxiliary output.
I would recommend doing it properly, and fitting the genuine Optimate lead. The lead should have a little waterproof boot to cover it when not in use and can be tucked out of the way to avoid damage. It's a half-hour job to drop the fairing side panel off and wire it in properly, so why not do it ? I use an Optimate for the ST4, M600 and my 750 Formula. None of them get a lot of use these days, but they always fire up first turn...
If you want one on the quick,Maplins sell both halves of the Optimate-type connector for pennies. (I don't think they do the rubber boot though) I've made up a couple of tails with connectors of both sexes So I can hook my Garmin GPS etc straight into the charger cable on the bike
Thanks for the tips guys - I will look into wiring up a separate charging lead for the Optimate as you suggest
There is a 2 pin connector , unused, with a blind blanking connector on it under the seat on my ST4S. It is live without the ignition on in exactly the same way that the accessory port is and in fact i think it is protected by the same fuse. You could connect an optimate here and have the best of both worlds. I use mine to power an Exo electric vest and converted the vest cable to accept the same waterproof plug to fit this socket. Works perfectly, i don't have to take the fairing off and obviously i don't need the vest and the charger at the same time !
I have now had time to check the power socket (powerlet) on my 2002 ST4 and can confirm that it is live with the ignition switched off. So this may provide an easier connection to hook up the Optimate charger/battery conditioner over winter? No need to remove the lower fairing on battery side.
You can get a lead from optimate which is wired to the battery,you have access to it at all times,and it can power sat navs phones clothes or charge the battery,oh and it is fused too,recommended,the power let is a PIA.
I use the powerlet socket to charge the battery on my ST3, I have a connecter that plugs straight into an optimate. It is wired to direct to the battery albeit through a fuse. If I remember rightly the powerlet socket wasn't too expensive - something like this POWERLET BATTERY TENDER & YUASA CHARGING CABLE - PPC-018 (SKU 3507) :: [ BuyBits ]
Hi M1key In the end I wired in an Optimate fused lead direct to my new battery - You can see this on my thread - ST4 Uprated battery cables. What you are suggesting was my original plan, but since I already had an fused & waterproof lead supplied with my Optimate 4, I decided to fit that at the same time as my new battery. Your solution is equally as good and convenient - Cheers for the reply
No probs, you can also get powerlet leads for charging mobile phones, sat navs whilst on the move, although they are slightly pricier - not sure why the only difference is the plug is set a 90 degrees so it doesn't stick into your leg while riding, I always thought the positioning of this socket on STs was slightly weird, why didn't ducati put it up front behind the fairing?
I agree - the location of the socket is a bit weird - Most people want a Sat Nav or the like up fornt or on the tank bag - Totally agree with you.
