Choosing connector – Connectors

To charge or draw power from a vehicle’s battery a connection must be made to the battery. The connection is either made directly to the battery or through a vehicle’s power socket.

Ring terminals – OptiMate offers permanent battery leads with ring terminals for the following battery fasteners:

• M6 / 1/4” – powersport batteries with square posts, Lithium LFP deep cycle batteries, most Japanese, Korean and European made cars.
• M8 / 5/16” – American made batteries or vehicles, deep cycle batteries.
• M10 / 3/8” – Deep cycle and heavy truck batteries.

OptiMate Dual ring technology allows fitment to two different sizes.

• M6-8 / 1/4″ – 5/16”, found on the O-01 permanent battery lead.
• M8-10 / 5/16” – 3/8”, found on the O-11 permanent battery lead.

SAE – OptiMate 2-pin SAE connectors fit all other standard SAE 2-pin connectors. It is a commonly used battery charger connector.

AUTO socket / plug – 12V power outlet socket used in automotive, marine, truck and Japanese and American motorcycle brands. Size: diameter of 21-22mm / ± 7/8”. Standard: J563 / SAE563. Security of connection is average – the spring-loaded blades of the plug applies pressure to the inside of the socket barrel. Some sockets have slots that match up with the plug’s blades, improving connection.

BIKE socket / plug – 12V power outlet socket used on European made motorcycles. Also known as a DIN, Hella or Powerlet connector. Size: diameter of 12mm / ± 1/2″. Standard: ISO / DIN4165. Security of connection is high – the dual pincer blades within the socket grips the bevelled (positive) pin of the plug, further aided by the spring loaded negative (ground) terminal of the plug applying pressure against the inside of the socket barrel.

DC2.5 plug / socket – A commonly used heated gear / apparel in-line axial connector. Size: barrel diameter of 5.5mm with pin diameter of 2.5mm. Security of connection is provided by spring-loaded blades within the jack’s plug that presses against the pin of the receiver. The connection can be easily broken if pulled apart, an advantage for heated gear applications.

DC2.1 plug / socket – A lesser used heated gear / apparel in-line axial connector. Also used in security / camera applications. Size: barrel diameter of 5.5mm with pin diameter of 2.1mm.
NOTE: Although the DC2.1 is identical in design to the DC2.5, they are not interchangeable.

OBDII – Diagnostic connector in automotive / truck applications. Low current (< 2 Amps) charging & maintenance is acceptable.

KET – a legacy connector used in OptiMate battery chargers up to 2009.

Ducati (Euro4) – Diagnostic connector in Ducati motorcycles. Models from 2021 will use the Euro 5 motorcycle connector. Up to 5A charging & maintenance is acceptable.

MV Agusta (Euro 4) – Diagnostic connector in MV Agusta motorcycles. Models from 2021 will use the Euro 5 motorcycle connector. Up to 5A charging & maintenance is acceptable.

Moto Euro 5 – Diagnostic connector used in most European made motorcycles from model year 2021. Up to 5A charging & maintenance is acceptable.

Battery clips connect directly to the battery terminals. This method is safest if the battery is out of the vehicle. OptiMate clips are designed to securely connect to square, round and flat terminals.

Panel mount connection.