Battery Information
OptiMate chargers are matched to the battery size and type typically found in the associated vehicles.
2–30Ah : Suitable battery types, with battery capacity range in Amp-hour.
DIFFERENT TYPES EXPLAINED:
LEAD-ACID : Lead (arranged in plates) react with liquid electrolyte (primarily sulphuric acid - H 2 SO 4 ) to generate electricity.
STD batteries, also known as ‘wet cell’ or ‘fl ooded’ batteries, most with removable fi ller caps to add distilled water. The liquid electrolyte is a combination of sulphuric acid and pure water. Charged = 12.5 to 12.6V.
An advanced STD ‘wet cell’ battery optimized for frequent
engine start applications in cars with ‘ECO’ START / STOP
technology. Charged = 12.6 to 12.8V.
A sealed / VRLA* battery with electrolyte a combination of acid and liquid gel that inhibits natural condensation. GEL batteries are popular in stand-by / low current applications. Charged = 12.6 to 12.8V.
(Absorbed glass mat of VRLA* construction): High concentrate sulphuric acid electrolyte is suspended in fi ber glass mats positioned between the lead plates, allowing for a more compact battery design. AGM is dominant in power sport and a popular premium battery option in automotive and marine. Dry charged are only found in powersport, and is delivered with an acid pack. Factory activated AGM receive acid and sealed at source. Charged = 12.7 to 12.9V. * VRLA - Sealed batteries (also known as VRLA = valve regulating lead acid) have a pressure release valve that will permanently release electrolyte gas when overcharged.
Lithium Iron (Ferro) Phosphate battery made up of 4 series connected cells, used in SLI and deep cycle applications. LFP batteries deliver 3-4 times the cranking amps of a similar sized lead-acid battery, with 90% depth of discharge compared to 50-75% for lead-acid. Charged = 13.6 to 13.8V. LFP batteries are sensitive to overcharge and deep discharge. Gross overcharge may cause the battery to overheat and melt down. A dedicated lead-acid charger could damage a lithium battery.
Look for OptiMate battery chargers marked to meet the following requirements:
Cars fitted with fuel saving START/STOP technology, hybrid
petrol / electric cars with 12V engine start battery, vehicles,
craft or equipment with intermittent current draw.
STD, GEL, AGM or LFP battery designed to deliver constant
current for an extended period. The battery requires accurate
and complete recharge after every cycle of use.
Spiral cell: Premium factory activated AGM batteries for automotive or marine auto/marine, made by OptiMa, Odyssey and North Star, that require a higher charge current and charge voltage up
to 14.7V.
Choose a charger that delivers current matching the battery’s maximum requirement, for lead-acid it is typically 1/10th the Amp-hour rating, or 1 x Ah rating for Lithium, or determine your time requirement to recharge from flat
An OptiMate 1 (0.6A) needs 16-17 hours to recharge a fl at 10Ah battery, but needs 100 hours for a 60Ah car battery. Calculation: 10Ah/0.6A = 16.66h or 60Ah / 0.6A = 100 hours
All OptiMate chargers are ideal for long term battery maintenance, but chargers marked ECO, DEEP CYCLE, (cyclic cell) and LFP have different maintenance programs specific to the application or battery type. A fully charged battery requires no more than 10-20mA to remain fully charged, but vehicle, craft or equipment circuitry that are always active may draw more.
Deep discharge of a battery below the recommended voltage can cause rapid sulfation in lead-acid batteries and unbalanced cells in a lithium battery. OptiMate chargers all have a unique low volt pulse SAVE step, with more advanced OptiMate chargers able to recover batteries other chargers can’t.