User Guide

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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. MAINTENANCE CHARGE: LED #5 / 6 steady on
For 30 minutes the circuit offers current to the battery within a safe 13,6V voltage limit whilst the result of the voltage retention test is
displayed. If LED #6 (red) indicated the VOLTAGE RETENTION TEST will be repeated. A steady LED #5 (green) indicate the 30 minute float
charge maintenance periods follow and alternate wih the 30 minute REST (no charging) periods until the battery is disconnected. The battery
can draw current as required to support small loads and counter self-discharge.
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 3 to complete a charge on a flat but otherwise undamaged battery is roughly equal
to the battery’s Ah rating, so a 10Ah battery should take no more than about 10 hours to progress to Step 4. Deep-discharged batteries may
take significantly longer.
Notes on TEST results:
1. If the red LED #6 lights a significant problem exists. The red LED means that after being charged the battery’s voltage is not being
sustained above 12,4V (roughly equal to 50% charge in a sealed AGM battery) 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 #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 vehicle headlights being switched on while
the charger is connected can also cause the battery voltage to dip significantly.
2. GOOD TEST RESULT, but the battery cannot deliver sufficient power: Permanent damage within the battery may be causing excessive self
discharge (caused by the battery itself, even a partly damaged battery may initially retain sufficient power, but lose power faster than normal
there-after). Disconnect the battery from the OptiMate. After at least 12 hours reconnect and observe if SAVE LED #3 lights, indicating the
battery was unable to hold charge. If CHARGE LED #4 lights the battery retained at least 12,4V.
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 © 2014 TecMate International
OptiMate 3 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 & 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.