trickle charger

Hi chaps, sorry if this sounds like a dumb question as I've never used a charger before.
Received my 1A auto floating charger today and it's in my parking space hooked up right now.

1. I presume that I can leave it unattended as when fully charged it goes into a floating mode. Correct if I'm wrong on that one.

2. Can I start the engine with the charger still connected and turned on, or do I have to turn it off first and disconnect first?

Usually the bike just about starts after some cranking but reads LO VOLT on my display. How much charging time does it need to start strong first time and I assume the charge falls if not kept hooked up.

Thanks.
 
It's set and forget with a trickle charge mode, in other words you can leave it hooked up full time and it won't cook the battery,

It's best to disconnect before the charger so that you don't ride off still plugged in!
 
I have two. One is a Harley branded model and simply looks like a wall wart that comes with many small electrical gadgets (cordless phones, for example). I don't remember what the other one is, but it's considerably larger and can be used for 2 different voltages. I picked it up at the auto parts store. Both do the job and both were around $30.00, IIRC.
 
I've got the Triumph Optima (?...it's out in the shed), does the float charge and yes I would use it on the Harley.

Dennis