TecMate Optimate 6 TM180 Instructions For Use Manual page 7

TEST LEDs #5/6/7 indicate the condition of the battery prior to charging. Charging commences after 10
seconds. The program will determine the correct charge mode.
Consult the "EARLY WARNING OF BATTERY PROBLEMS" table on page 2 (illustration 2) for TEST LED indications.
LED #7 (red) flashing: The OptiMate 6 is injecting a test signal to see if the battery is recoverable. Once the indication becomes
steady for up to 10 seconds charging will commence.
The SAVE mode engages if the battery was more than 60% discharged or is sulphated.
Charge time: Minimum 15 minutes, maximum 2 hours.
LED #3 steady on : STANDARD recovery for neglected batteries in the vehicle - Up to 16V is applied with current limited to
0.4A. Batteries able to accept charge current will advance to PULSE recovery. If the battery is unable to accept a charge TURBO
recovery will engage after 5 seconds only if no vehicle electronics have been detected.
PULSE recovery - 15 minutes - Current is delivered in pulses to prepare the battery to accept normal charge. This mode is
particularly effective for recovery of factory activated / "hi-performance" pure lead or cyclic cell AGM batteries.
LED #3 flashing : TURBO recovery for very badly neglected batteries - Output voltage increases to a maximum of 22V with
current limited to 0.4A.
INTERPRETING THE CURRENT BAR DURING SAVE / DESULPHATE: LED #8, 9, 10 only light when actual current enters the
battery. If the current is below 0.4A or the battery is unable to accept current, no current LEDs will light.
The CHARGE mode engages if the battery can accept current within the normal voltage range.
LED #4 steady on: BULK charge - The ampmatic™ charge current monitoring and control mode automatically determines
the most efficient rate of charge current for the connected battery, according to its state of charge, state of health, and electrical
storage capacity. The delivered current may be anywhere from 0.4A to 5A.
LED #4 flashing: OPTIMIZE charge - The OPTIMIZE CHARGE mode starts when the voltage has reached 14.3V for the first time
during BULK CHARGE stage. The ampmatic™ current control circuit now delivers pulses of current for 10 minutes to
equalise the individual cells within the battery. The battery's charge level is verified. If the battery requires further charging the
program will extend OPTIMIZE charge up to a maximum of 2 hours.
INTERPRETING THE CURRENT BAR DURING CHARGING: LED #8, 9, 10 only light when actual current enters the battery. If the
current is below 0.4A or the program has interupted charging, no current LEDs will light.
NOTE: For safety reasons there is an overall charge time limit of 72 hours.
Delivery of current to the battery is interrupted for 12 hours to allow the program to determine the battery's
For batteries with a good state of health LED #5 (green) should continue to flash for the full period (exception: STD wet cell
batteries with filler caps have a lower fully charged voltage: : LED #6 flashes together with LED #5).
For any other result: The test will be interupted and the program will progress to MAINTENANCE CHARGE mode. The voltage
retention test will continue to repeat 24 hours after the start of the preceding test until the result improves to LED #5 (green) or
LED #5 & 6 together (green & yellow).
A significant problem exists if the battery is unable to retain sufficient charge during the 12 hour test period. Consult the "EARLY
WARNING OF BATTERY PROBLEMS" table on page 2 for LED indications other than LED #5 (green) / LED #5 and LED #6
together. Read the section NOTES ON TEST RESULTS on reasons for poor test results or how to test a battery that returns a good
result but cannot deliver sufficient power once it is returned to service.
The circuit offers current to the battery within a safe 13.6V voltage limit whilst the result of the voltage
retention test is displayed. The maintenance charge mode continues until the charger is disconnected.
For batteries with a good state of health LED #5 (green) will remain on. (exception: STD wet cell batteries with filler caps have a
lower fully charged voltage: LED #6 remains on together with LED #5).
A more detailed description of the automatic maintenance cycle for long term battery storage can be found under the section
AUTOMATIC BATTERY MAINTENANCE, including the LOW CURRENT PULSE DELIVERED TO PREVENT SULFATION, further
extending battery power and life.
PRE-QUALIFICATION TEST: LED #5 / 6 / 7
SAVE / DESULPHATE: LED #3
CHARGE: LED #4
VOLTAGE RETENTION TEST: LED #5 / 6 FLASHING
ability to retain charge.
MAINTENANCE CHARGE: LED #5 / 6 / 7 steady on
7