Automatic Battery Maintenance; Charging Time; Interpreting The Charge Current Leds #8, 9, 10 - TecMate Optimate 4 Instructions For Use Manual

FINAL NOTE ON THE VOLTAGE RETENTION TEST: This test is a strongly indicative but not necessarily a conclusive
test of battery condition, which can be more precisely established by using a TestMate™mini which tests 12V
batteries on the vehicle during cranking, as well as the charging system operation. Alternatively, contact a
workshop equipped with a BatteryMate™150-9 or TestMate™ digital battery tester.

Automatic battery maintenance

The 30 minute float charge maintenance periods follow and alternate with the 30 minute test periods during which
there is no charge current. This "50% duty cycle" prevents loss of electrolyte in sealed batteries and minimizes
gradual loss of water from the electrolyte in batteries with filler caps, and thereby contributes significantly to
optimizing the service life of irregularly or seasonally used batteries. The circuit offers current to the battery within
a safe 13.6V voltage limit ("float charge"), allowing it to draw whatever small current is necessary to sustain it at
(or close to) full charge and compensate for any small electrical loads imposed by vehicle accessories or on-board
computer, or the natural gradual self-discharge of the battery itself.
NOTE: Maintaining a battery for extended periods: After activating the charger you should observe the LED
indications every few hours until the test result is displayed. If at any time the battery is hot to touch, disconnect
it from the charger and get it professionally tested using a BatteryMate™ or TestMate™ II electronic tester
specifically designed for that type of battery. At least once every two weeks, check that the connections between
the charger and battery are secure, and, in the case of batteries with filler caps on each cell, disconnect the battery
from the charger, check the level of the electrolyte and if necessary, top up the cells (with distilled water, NOT acid),
then reconnect. When handling batteries or in their vicinity, always take care to observe the SAFETY WARNINGS
above.

Interpreting the charge current LEDs #8, 9, 10.

8.
LED #8, which comes on when the current is slightly below 200mA, should illuminate as the battery
gradually recovers from sulphation or very deep discharge and starts to accept a charge current some time
after the DESULFATE LED #3 illuminated. It will also normally illuminate during the later part of the charge
verification, with LED #4 flashing (see
9.
LED #9 comes on when the current is about 0.5A, so it may indicate in the circumstances described below
commencing with "UNLESS the..". Furthermore, LED #9 can be expected to indicate during the early part of
the charge VERIFICATION (
10.
LED #10 indicates for currents at or close to the full bulk charge current of 0.8A. If CHARGE LED #4 is
indicating steadily, then LED #10 should also be on, UNLESS the DESULFATE mode (LED #3) has just been
terminated by the 2 hour time limit. In such cases severe plate sulfation may well prevent the circuit from
delivering the full charge current.
NOTE: If any of LEDs #8/ 9/ 10 are on, and any of LEDs #5/ 6/ 7 are also on steadily, this is a definite indication that
either the battery has a short-circuited cell or, if the battery is still connected to the vehicle's wiring system, that
something is imposing an anomalous load on the battery. If this combination of LED indications occurs when the
battery has been disconnected from and removed from the vehicle, send it for recycling and replace it. Otherwise,
remove the battery from the vehicle and go back to

Charging time

The time required for the OptiMate™4 to complete a charge on a flat but not severely discharged and otherwise
undamaged battery is roughly equal to the battery's Ah rating, so a 12Ah battery should take no more than about
12 hours to progress to the self-discharge check (
NOTE: The total charging time of the above steps 3.2 through 4.2 is limited for safety reasons by a 48 hour timer.
This should be sufficient to recharge any engine-start battery within the recommended range of rated Ah capacities
(2 to 50Ah).
If using the OptiMate™4 on a severely discharged automobile battery of larger capacity, a full charge may not
be achieved in the 48 hours. In this case disconnect the AC input, wait a few seconds, then switch it on again to
restart the charging program from the beginning again. In such cases, prolonged continuous charger operation at
maximum output and in warm ambient temperatures may cause the charger to become quite hot. Switch off and
allow the charger to cool thoroughly to room temperature before reconnecting it to complete the charge.
6
4.2 above).
POINT
4.2), with LED #4 flashing.
POINT
POINT
5). Deep-discharged batteries may take significantly longer.
POINT
1 above.