TecMate OPTIMATE 2 DUO Instructions For Use Manual page 8

permanent damage within one or more cells.
WARNING: Do not attempt to charge again. Have the battery professionally assessed. This is
especially important for LiFePO4 lithium batteries where continued charging of a damaged battery
could cause it to overheat.
LED #3 - Low Volt Save, Charge and Charge verification
STEP1: LOW VOLT SAVE (4V - 13V): LED #3 blinks (on-off-on-off) to confirm the battery is deep
discharged. For Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries current is limited to 0.3A so that the battery may gently
recover to a safe voltage level of 8.8 Volts, after which current increases to 1A. Charge progress is
carefully monitored. For lead-acid / AGM batteries charge may be delivered in pulses to prepare the
battery to accept normal charge. Charge time: Minimum 15 minutes, maximum 4 hours.
VERY FLAT NEGLECTED BATTERIES: Pay particularly close attention to the following which is
especially important for relatively small batteries such as those used on motorcycles, lawn
tractors, jet-ski's, snowmobiles and similar: A battery left deep-discharged for an extended period
may develop permanent damage in one or more cells. Such batteries may heat up excessively during
high current charging.
Monitor the battery temperature during the first hour, then hourly there-after. Check for unusual signs,
such as bubbling or leaking electrolyte, heightened activity in one cell compared to others, or hissing
sounds. If at any time the battery is uncomfortably hot to touch or you notice any unusual signs,
DISCONNECT THE CHARGER IMMEDIATELY.
STEP 2: HEALTH TEST: A test is performed to determine if the battery can
continue receiving charge. If the battery is deemed healthy, charging continues to STEP 3. If a fault
has been detected, charging is immediately suspended and LED #2 will blink. See FAULTY
BATTERY above.
STEP 3 : CHARGE (LED #3 yellow): The BULK CHARGE stage delivers a
constant current of about 2 Amps maximum into the battery, up to a voltage of 14.2 - 14.4V.
STEP 4 : VERIFICATION: Battery charge level is verified. Variable current pulses are delivered to bring
all cells to equal and full charge.
NOTE: For safety reasons there is an overall charge time limit of 48 hours, after which the program
automatically advances to STEP 5. See expected Charging time below.
LED# 4 (green) - 24-7 BATTERY MAINTENANCE. STEP 5 (Test) and STEP 6 (Float Charge) alternate
half-hourly until the battery is disconnected.
STEP 5: Test (30 min) - NO CHARGE CURRENT is delivered and the battery voltage is monitored.
First test following progression from STEP 4: For a battery able to hold a nominal charge, the
program will progress to STEP 6, otherwise LED #2 will blink indicating a faulty battery (see above).
Subsequent tests: the need for hourly maintenance charge is determined, influenced by the
connected battery type and its state of health and continuous draw from stored vehicle's circuitry.
Charge is delivered if voltage has reduced below 13.3V. A healthy lithium battery may occasionally
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