TecMate Optimate6 - Manual (Page 6)

6
itself, even a partly damaged battery may initially retain suffi cient power, but lose power faster than normal there-after) or
higher than expected power loss through the vehicle’s electrical system.
The extend test will end after 11 ½ hours, or the moment the battery voltage falls below 12,4V (YELLOW LED #8).
At the end of the extended voltage retention test the LED(s) fl ashing at that moment will now remain steady on, indicating the
result is locked and testing has been concluded and a MAINTENANCE CHARGING cycle has started.
Notes on test results
NOTE 1: FOR ANY TEST RESULT OTHER THAN GREEN #5, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IT
SUPPORTS, and RECONNECT THE OPTIMATE. IF A BETTER TEST RESULT IS NOW OBTAINED, THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE POWER
LOSSES ARE PARTLY DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND NOT IN THE BATTERY ITSELF. YOU
ARE ADVISED TO READ THE FOLLOWING NOTES AND TO CONSULT AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST.
NOTE 2:
For a good battery remaining in circuit with the vehicle’s electrical system, if the decline in voltage resulted from a
current drain out of the battery which was only of a temporary nature, the LED indication can revert to a better level, ideally
green.
NOTE 3:
If the red LED #7 alone, or the yellow #6 and red LED #7 together start to fl ash during a 30 minute test (or steadily
during a maintenance charging period), a signifi cant problem exists. The red / yellow+red LEDs (or yellow LED alone for a
sealed battery) mean 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 electrical system it supports, the red LED #7 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 vehicle headlights being switched on while the charger is connected can also cause the battery voltage to dip signifi cantly.
Always remove the battery from the electrical system it supports, reconnect the OptiMate and allow it to proceed through its
programme once more. If the poor result persists, you are advised to take the battery to a professional service workshop
equipped with professional equipment for a more thorough investigation.
Final note on the voltage retention test
This test is a strongly indicative but not necessarily a conclusive test of battery condition, which for starter batteries 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 professional battery tester.
MAINTENANCE CHARGE: The MAINTENANCE CHARGE CYCLE consists of 30 minute fl oat charge periods followed by and
alternating with a 30 minute ‘rest’ 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 fi ller caps, and thereby
contributes signifi cantly 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 (“fl oat 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. During the maintenance charge cycle the original locked TEST result will
continue to be displayed unless the result worsens (unexpected condition in the vehicle or battery), until the TEST and
MAINTENANCE cycle is repeated.
REPEAT OF TEST and MAINTENANCE CYCLES: The voltage retention test cycle, followed by the maintenance charge
cycle, will repeat 24 hours after the start of the very fi rst test and continue to repeat for as long as the charger remains
connected.
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 fi ller 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 minimum time required for the OptiMate 6 to complete a charge and test cycle and provide a result, even on a fully
charged battery, is 45 minutes. Charge time on a fl at but otherwise undamaged battery is slightly less than 20% of the
battery’s Ah rating, so a 120Ah battery should take no more than about 20 hours to progress to the self-discharge check (§ 5).
Deep-discharged batteries may take signifi cantly longer.
If using the OptiMate 6 on a severely discharged automobile battery of larger capacity, a full charge may not be achieved within
the 48 hour charge safety limit. In this case follow the reset procedure below. 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.
Disconnection or resetting the charge or test cycle
Do not make or break connections directly at the battery posts with charger powered up. Always disconnect from the 220-240V
AC mains before removing the clips from the battery posts. Upon reconnection to AC power all LEDs except #1,2, 8, 9 and 10
will fl ash twice to confi rm micro processor health, irrespective if the charger remains connected to a battery or not.