Optimate 6 [6/44] Charging time

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

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

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

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.