Revised July 2008

                                     

[Previous Item]       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: -

The automatic multi-stage programme engages as soon as the OptiMate is connected to a 12V battery with at least 2V :-

  1. OptiMate 4 immediately checks if the battery retains enough voltage to enable the programme, and whether the battery is deep-discharged ("sulphated") or not.
  2. 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”.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.