TecMate Optimate5 - Manual (Page 7)

7
5. 6. Voltage retention tests alternating half-hourly with battery maintenance
Flashing LED #5 - Voltage retention test
For a good battery LED #5 flashes throughout the 30 minute test. NO CHARGE CURRENT.
If the battery voltage falls below 12,4V during the test LED #6 (red) will come on and indicate steadily.
The red LED means that after being charged the battery’s voltage is not being sustained or that despite recovery
attempts the battery was irrecoverable. This may be due to a defect in the battery itself, such as a short-circuited cell
or total sulphation, or, in the case of a battery still connected to the vehicle’s wiring system, the red LED #6 may be
signalling a loss of current through deteriorated wiring or a degraded switch or contact, or in-circuit current-consuming
accessories. A sudden load such as the headlights being switched on while the charger is connected can also cause
the battery voltage to dip significantly. Always remove the battery from the vehicle, reconnect the OptiMate™ and
allow it to proceed through its programme once more.
Steady on LED #5 or 6 - Automatic battery maintenance
Maintenance - float charge at a safe voltage limit of 13,6V and up to 2,8A is available to counter self-discharge.
Whichever LED (#5 flashing or #6 steady) was indicating at the end of the TEST now indicates steadily. The battery can
draw current as required to support small loads and counter self-discharge.
Maintenance and voltage retention test periods continue alternating half-hourly until the battery is disconnected.
The test result is updated during each subsequent test.
Accuracy of 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.
Maintaining a battery for extended periods: The OptiMate will maintain a battery whos basic condition is good, for
months at a time. 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.
Charging time: The time required for the OptiMate™5 to complete a charge on a flat but not severely discharged and
otherwise undamaged battery is roughly equal to 1/3 the battery’s Ah rating, so a 60Ah battery should take no more than about
20 hours to progress to the self-discharge check (§ 5). Deep-discharged batteries may take significantly longer.
NOTE: The total charging time of the steps 4.1 and 4.2 is not limited.
LIMITED WARRANTY
TecMate (International) SA, Sint-Truidensesteenweg 252, B-3300 Tienen, Belgium, makes this limited warranty to the original
purchaser at retail of this product. This limited warranty is not transferable. TecMate (International) warrants this battery
charger for three years from date of purchase at retail against defective material or workmanship. If such should occur the unit
will be repaired or replaced at the option of the manufacturer. It is the obligation of the purchaser to forward the unit together
with proof of purchase (see NOTE), transportation or mailing costs prepaid, to the manufacturer or its authorized representative.
This limited warranty is void if the product is misused, subjected to careless handling, or repaired by anyone other than the
factory or its authorized representative. The manufacturer makes no warranty other than this limited warranty and expressly
excludes any implied warranty including any warranty for consequential damages.
THIS IS THE ONLY EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY AND THE MANUFACTURER NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANYONE TO
ASSUME OR MAKE ANY OTHER OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE PRODUCT OTHER THAN THIS EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY. YOUR
STATUTORY RIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
NOTE: Details at www.tecmate.com/warranty.
copyright © 2010 TecMate International
OptiMate 5 and the names of other battery care products mentioned in these instructions such as BatteryMate, TestMate and
TestMate mini, are registered trademarks of TecMate International NV.
WARRANTY in Canada, USA, Central America and South America:
TecMate North America, Oakville, ON, Canada, as a wholy owned subsidiary of TecMate International, assumes the
responsibility for product warranty in these regions.
More information on TecMate products can be found at www.tecmate.com.