Revised July 2008
OptiMate – additional information.
See
also OptiMate 4 Press
Release
OptiMate 4: The new standard – The truly unique diagnostic battery optimiser
for all types of rechargeable 12V lead-acid batteries up to 50Ah, whether
sealed “maintenance-free” AGM, gel, or "flooded" type with filler
caps.
Like all OptiMate models before it, the new microprocessor controlled OptiMate
4 can save neglected batteries. OptiMate 4 is even more
effective, with a new dual-stage RECOVERY + TURBO RECOVERY action. OptiMate
4 will automatically engage the RECOVERY mode if it detects a partly
deep-discharged battery. However, for
more severely neglected batteries, the TURBO RECOVERY mode engages
automatically to attempt desulphation.
OptiMate 4 then charges
the battery, verifies that the battery is as fully charged as its state of
health allows and then checks for dead battery cells. But OptiMate 4 adds the
following new features: -
- Maximum output current increased to 0.8A without
increasing energy consumption
- 48 hour time limit on stages up to the first of
the cyclic tests for battery drain to avoid wasting time and energy on
batteries with a shorted cell
- 19 possible LED indications displayed on 10 LEDs
on the new control panel
- 5 possible results of the hourly tests for power
drain / retention are displayed on a combination of green, yellow &
red test LEDs
- IP64 weatherproof sealed housing with built-in
replaceable wall mounting lugs
- New cable bushings avoid insulation stress in
ultra-cold temperatures
- New "glide-guide" connector pin
inserts align connector pins perfectly and seal the connector cable
entries.
The
automatic multi-stage programme engages as soon as the OptiMate is connected to
a 12V battery with at least 2V :-
- OptiMate 4 immediately checks if the battery
retains enough voltage to enable the programme, and whether the battery is
deep-discharged ("sulphated") or not.
- For neglected batteries, the OptiMate 4
initialises the recovery mode, initially limiting the applied voltage at
16V, and if necessary for sulphated batteries, engaging TURBO recovery at
a voltage of up to 22V** at low current for up to 2 hours, to recover the
battery to a condition in which it can accept a charge more ”normally”.
- As soon as the circuit detects that this point
has been reached (immediately for most batteries), the “bulk charge” mode
engages and delivers current at a constant rate of 0.8A to charge the
battery.
- When the battery-sensing circuit sees that the
charge progress is sufficient, the unique ‘verification’ stage engages.
The voltage is limited at a lower level, & if sensed necessary, a
voltage pulsing action achieves further desulphation & tops off the
charge. When this has been verified, or if after 48 hours from connection
the battery has been unable to accept & retain adequate charge, the
next stage engages.
- OptiMate then ceases to offer current to the
battery for 30 minutes while it monitors the unsupported battery voltage
to check whether the battery can retain sufficient charge to crank an
engine before the long-term test and maintenance phase commences.
- During the following 30 minutes the OptiMate
offers the battery a supporting & maintaining charge, but only to the
extent necessary to counter any losses or connected loads such as an
electronic alarm or immobiliser. Overcharging and/or overheating of the
battery is ruled out by this 50% duty cycle whereby the battery is interactively
maintained for 30 minutes and then rests during the power drain tests of
each alternative 30 minutes. The battery is always 100% in optimal service
condition, but never overcharged.
** OptiMate’s high voltage desulphation mode cannot engage
unless the battery is first disconnected from the vehicle’s electrical system.
However, even if the
battery is not disconnected, OptiMate cannot damage sensitive vehicle
electronics as the higher voltage mode can only engage if minimal or zero
current is flowing into the battery. Suggestions of possible risk on some
internet forums or chat sites are based on inadequate knowledge of the
technical facts and are incorrect.
Suitable for all types of rechargeable lead-acid batteries:
filler cap types; absorbed acid "MF" for motorcycles; valve regulated
(VRLA); & GEL-electrolyte types. As
simple as 1-2-3: Just connect OptiMate 4 to your battery, the rest is
automatic. Electronically protected
against user errors. There is no
switch, no fuse and there are no sparks.