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Details the function and meaning of each LED indicator on the OptiMate charger.
Explains how to interpret LED #5 and #6 for battery testing and charge status.
Covers charger handling, extension cords, and general electrical safety rules.
Addresses risks from explosive gases and necessary personal protective measures.
Guidelines for charger placement and safe DC output clip connections.
Steps for preparing the battery and connecting the charger in a vehicle.
Procedures for charging batteries outside vehicles and ensuring user safety.
Covers RF interference, minor use, and California Proposition 65.
Describes the supplied battery leads, clips, and optional connections.
Provides estimated charging times and outlines the general charging process.
Explains LED #2, #3, and the BMS reset procedure for various conditions.
Details charging states (LED #4), error conditions (LED #6), and battery readiness (LED #5).
Further details on LED #6 for charge holding issues and maintenance.
Describes the charger's low power consumption mode when not connected to a battery.
Details the function and meaning of each LED indicator on the OptiMate charger.
Explains how to interpret LED #5 and #6 for battery testing and charge status.
Covers charger handling, extension cords, and general electrical safety rules.
Addresses risks from explosive gases and necessary personal protective measures.
Guidelines for charger placement and safe DC output clip connections.
Steps for preparing the battery and connecting the charger in a vehicle.
Procedures for charging batteries outside vehicles and ensuring user safety.
Covers RF interference, minor use, and California Proposition 65.
Describes the supplied battery leads, clips, and optional connections.
Provides estimated charging times and outlines the general charging process.
Explains LED #2, #3, and the BMS reset procedure for various conditions.
Details charging states (LED #4), error conditions (LED #6), and battery readiness (LED #5).
Further details on LED #6 for charge holding issues and maintenance.
Describes the charger's low power consumption mode when not connected to a battery.
The OptiMate Lithium charger is an advanced automatic battery charger designed specifically for 12.8V LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries. It is not suitable for NiCd, NiMH, lead-acid, or other types of Li-Ion or non-rechargeable batteries. The device is engineered to provide comprehensive battery care, from low-voltage recovery to long-term maintenance, ensuring optimal battery health and extended lifespan.
The primary function of the OptiMate Lithium is to charge, save, and maintain 12.8V LiFePO4 batteries. It employs an 8-step program to systematically address various battery conditions. The charging process is fully automatic, adapting to the battery's needs throughout its cycle.
The charger begins with a "Low Volt Start" step, capable of initiating charging even when the battery voltage is as low as 0.5V. This is followed by a "LOW VOLT SAVE" mode, which carefully attempts to recover deeply discharged batteries by limiting charge current and testing for cell damage. A healthy LiFePO4 battery in this mode should progress to the charge mode within four hours. If the battery is severely damaged, the charger will detect this and suspend charging, indicating a need for professional assessment.
The "SAVE - monitor cells" step ensures that individual cells within the battery are monitored, a crucial feature for multi-cell LiFePO4 batteries. This leads into the "TEST - cell damage" phase, which further evaluates the battery's internal health.
The core charging phase is "Cell-balancing CHARGE," where a constant current of 0.8 Amps is delivered until the battery reaches 14.3V. During this phase, variable current pulses are delivered to balance and fully charge each cell, ensuring uniform charge across the battery. This cell-balancing is vital for the longevity and performance of LiFePO4 batteries.
Once charged, the charger moves to the "OPTIMIZE" step, followed by a "TEST after CHARGE" phase to verify the battery's ability to hold a charge. This health test can extend up to 24 hours to confirm that the vehicle's circuitry is not depleting the battery.
Finally, the OptiMate Lithium enters the "OptiMate '365' Maintenance" mode. This long-term maintenance program delivers up to 30 minutes of float charge at 13.6V, alternating with 30-minute REST periods, continuously monitoring the charge level. This ensures the battery remains at 100% charge and counters any self-discharge or discharge from connected circuitry, making it ideal for seasonal vehicle storage.
The OptiMate Lithium offers user-friendly features indicated by a series of LEDs.
The charger comes with two interchangeable connection sets:
For multi-bank models (TM484/TM485/TM486/TM488), each charge station operates independently, allowing simultaneous charging and maintenance of multiple batteries without interference.
The device also features an ECO power-saving mode, which significantly reduces power consumption (less than 0.5W per charging bank) when no battery is connected, contributing to energy efficiency.
The OptiMate Lithium is designed with several features to ensure safe and effective battery maintenance:
Regular monitoring of the battery temperature during charging, especially for deep-discharged batteries, is advised to detect any unusual heating, which could indicate internal battery problems. The charger's intelligent design aims to prevent damage and extend the life of LiFePO4 batteries through its comprehensive and adaptive charging and maintenance program.
General| Brand | TecMate |
|---|---|
| Model | optimate TM471 |
| Category | Battery Charger |
| Language | English |
