6.
LED #6 flashing: Voltage retention test
LED #6 flashes throughout the 30 minute test. NO CHARGE is delivered. A battery able to hold charge above 12.4V will proceed
to the Maintenance charge cycle.
7.
LED #6 on: Maintenance charge cycle
The maintenance charge cycle consists of 30 minute float charge periods alternating with a 30 minute ‘rest’ periods.
During
the 30 minute charge period current is offered to the battery within a safe voltage limit (“float charge” 6.8V for a 6V
battery and 13.6V for a 12V battery), allowing it to draw whatever small current is necessary to maintain it at 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 30 minute 'rest' cycle the charger automatically disconnects from the battery and no charge is delivered.
The 30 minute charge, 30 minute rest “50% duty cycle” prevents loss of electrolyte in sealed batteries and minimizes gradual
loss of water from the electrolyte in batteries with filler caps, and thereby contributes significantly to optimizing the service life
of irregularly or seasonally used batteries.
Maintaining a battery for extended periods:
The OptiMate will maintain a battery for months at a time, keeping the
battery at 100% charge, but never overcharging. 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.
8.
LED #7 on: Failed Voltage retention test
If the battery voltage falls below 12.4V during the voltage retention test LED #7 (red)** will come on and indicate steadily. A
charge is delivered to the battery for a period of 30 minutes after which the Voltage retention test (point 6) is repeated. A
repeated red light means that after being charged the battery’s voltage is not being sustained or that despite recovery attempts
the battery was irrecoverable. Always remove the battery from the vehicle, reconnect the OptiMate™ and allow it to proceed
through its programme once more.
9.
LED #7 flashing: a neglected / sulphated 12V battery may have been too low to trigger the 12V charge mode. Pre-select the
12V setting per point 2 and charge again.
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 © 2013 TecMate International
OptiMate 5 and the names of other battery care products mentioned in these instructions such as BatteryMate, TestMateand
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.
