usiNg the OPtiMAte 3: PrOCeediNg tO ChArge
for safety reasons, the OptiMate output will only activate if a battery retaining at least 2V is connected.
VerY flAt NegleCted bAtteries:
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.
eCO POWer sAViNg MOde WheN the ChArger is CONNeCted tO AC suPPlY:
switches to ECO mode when the charger is not connected to a battery resulting in a very low power draw of less than 0,5W, equivalent to
power consumption of 0,012 kWh per day. When a battery is connected to the charger power consumption depends on the current demand
of the battery and its connected vehicle / electronic circuitry. After the battery has been charged and the charger is in long term
maintenance charge mode (to keep the battery at 100% charge) the total power consumption is estimated to be 0,060 kWh or less per day.
the led indicators referred to below, and the clauses dealing with them, are sequenced as they may come on through the course
of the program.
LED #1 - AC POWER (100-240V)
LED #2 - Reverse polarity
LED #3 - SAVE/DESULPHATE
1.
led #1 - Power on. Confirms AC power supply to the charger. light intensity is low during POWer sAViNg MOde.
2.
led #2 indicates inverse polarity - wrong output connections. swap around to activate output.
3.
LED #3 SAVE lights If the battery is extremely flat (deep-discharged or sulphated),
3.1 stANdArd recovery for neglected batteries - LED #3 steady on : Up to 16V is applied with current limited to 0,2A. If the battery
is unable to accept a charge TURBO recovery will engage after 5 seconds. Batteries able to accept 0,2A of charge current will advance
to PULSE recovery.
3.2 turbO recovery for very badly neglected batteries removed from the vehicle - Output voltage increases to a maximum of 20V
with current limited to 0,2A. The charger's special recovery mode cannot engage if it senses that the battery is still connected to a
vehicle wiring circuit which effectively offers a lower electrical resistance than the battery on its own. However, if the deep-discharged
battery is not removed for recovery, neither battery nor vehicle electronics will be damaged.
3.3 Pulse recovery -final 15 minutes - LED #3 steady on: Current up to 0,8A 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.
4.
led #4 Charge and charge verification
4.1 CHARGE: The BULK CHARGE stage delivers a constant current of about 0,8 Amps maximum into the battery, up to a voltage of
14,2 -14,5V.
4.2 VERIFICATION: The circuit verifies battery charge level.
If the battery requires further charging the programme reverts to BULK CHARGE for brief periods, delivering a variable current
pulse to the battery. These reversions may occur as many times as is necessary to reduce the battery's current demand below
200mA at 13,6V (which is consistent with a battery that has accepted as much charge as its basic condition allows). (see
expected Charging time below.)
NOTE: For safety reasons there is an overall charge time limit of 48 hours.
5.
VOltAge reteNtiON test: led #5 flashing
delivery of current to the battery is interrupted for 12 hours* to allow the program to determine the battery's ability to retain charge. For batteries
with a good state of health LED #5 (green) should continue to flash for the full 12 hours* period. 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.
* if charge delivery was less than 12 hours, test extends until 24 hours has elapsed.
6
Pay particularly close attention to the following which is especially important for
The power converter
LED #5 - GREEN: TEST & MAINTAIN
LED #6 - RED: TEST & MAINTAIN
LED #4 - CHARGE