6
the battery carefully to try to determine if any cells seem different to the others (for example, with white matter between the plates,
plates touching). If mechanical defects are apparent do not attempt to charge the battery, have the battery professionally assessed.
5.
If the battery is new
, before connecting the charger read the battery manufacturer’s safety and operational instructions carefully. If
applicable, carefully and exactly follow acid filling instructions.
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:
Pay particularly close attention to the following which is especially important for
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:
The power converter
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.
12V
24-7
24-7
1
5
2
3
4
6
1.
LED #1 - Power on.
Confirms AC power supply to the charger.
2. LED #2
indicates
inverse
polarity
- wrong output connections.
Swap around to activate output.
3. LED #3 SAVE
lights if battery voltage at connection is between 2V and 12.4V, indicating
the 12V battery is deep discharged and possibly sulphated.
3.1 DEEP DISCHARGE SAVE of deep discharged / sulphated batteries removed from
the vehicle*
-
Output voltage increases to a maximum of 20V with low current limited to
0.2A, to overcome high level of sulphation that is preventing charge acceptance, then it
progresses to PULSE SAVE.
* IMPORTANT:
The charger’s deep discharge SAVE 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. No damage to vehicle electronics will
occur, but battery may not fully recover. Remove from vehicle and try again!
3.2 PULSE SAVE -
current up to 0.8A is delivered in pulses up to a voltage of 14.3V to
prepare the battery to accept normal charge. Time in SAVE mode: 15min to 2 hours.
4. LED #4 CHARGE & VERIFICATION
4.1
CHARGE: Charging starts here for batteries measuring 12.4V at connection. A constant
current
of 0.8 Amps is delivered to the battery, up to a voltage of 14.3 -14.5V.
4.2
VERIFICATION / PULSE ABSORPTION: Battery charge level is verified. If the battery
