OptiMate 4 Dual Program 12V Motorcycle Automatic Battery Charger Optimiser

Product Information

Frankly, all we need is a charger that does what it’s suppose to do and many of us only need red and green indicator lights to let us know the basic information. I’m currently using the Deltran BatteryTender Waterproof 800 (have for about 3-1/2 years with no issues), but would prefer to move to the optimate-4 if (and only if) is a waterproof unit. All the unique features found in each of the OptiMate battery saving charger-tester-maintainers are the most advanced in the world today, guaranteeing any vehicle or craft owner dependent on a 12V battery the ultimate in unsupervised long term battery care.

And who knows — maybe your friends will unload their old batteries on you to be revitalized by the desulfating, all-singing-and-dancing Optimate 4! Conclusion The charger also has a unique feature that allows it to automatically diagnose the battery's condition and adjust the charging process accordingly. This feature can help extend the life of the battery and avoid damaging it due to overcharging or undercharging. If your BMW has Canbus you will require the TecMate OptiMate 4 Dual Battery Optimiser (SAE)This can be used on both Canbus and non Canbus equippedmotorcycles. Editor’s Note (7/09): Here’s another take on the OptiMate 4, written by Mike Cecchini of MRC Engineering in Bethesda, Maryland U.S.A.:On the other hand, I can also see where a techie gearhead might like all the bells and whistles on the Optimate 4. I mean it works, for sure, and it works beautifully and it looks very cool and it has all sorts of lights and things.

I have product for almost 2.5 years and it was OK till now. Currently a message was just send to company for review and waiting for answer.” Bulk charge stage: Charges at 0.8 Amps constant current until such time as the battery is normally able to crank the engine. There is no on/off switch for the Optimate 4. Plugging it in energizes it, and its lights go through a sequence before settling into a function with the task at hand.Desulphation and recovery stage: Tests the battery for possible deep discharge or sulphation. If necessary, OptiMate 3 automatically engages a special high voltage recovery mode (up to 20V) with a very low fixed current to desulphate the battery. Delivered with two interchangeable connection sets, one with clamps for bench charging, the other with in-line protection fuse and eyelet terminals for permanent connection to the vehicle’s battery to allow easy reconnection of charger when necessary.

After the second connection to the outlet all next connections give correct result indications, until I remove the clamps (even for a few seconds). When I remove the clamps, I make disconnect the outlet first as per the instructions on the manual. I have the charger used indoors only. Battery chargers should be simple and easy-to-use devices: plug ’em in and turn ’em on. Red light (wrong/bad) , green light (fully charged and ok). Simple. The OptiMate 4 is definitely not simple.The way to find this out is to disconnect it. If, upon recharging, the battery comes up good, then that is an indicator the problem is with the vehicle’s electrical system, not the battery itself. OptiMate 4 is totally safe for months-long connection and maintenance of irregularly or seasonally used batteries even while still connected to the vehicle. The sophisticated charging algorithm ensures no risk of over-charging. Suitable for all types of rechargeable 12V lead-acid batteries, filler cap types, absorbed glass mat (AGM or MF), valve regulated (VRLA) and GEL-electrolyte. Just connect OptiMate 4 to your battery, the rest is automatic, electronically protected against user errors, there is no switch, no fuse and there are no sparks. To evaluate the Optimate 4, I used a riding lawnmower battery that has been sitting in the lawnmower since April of this year. Or, if you want to set it and forget it, you can practically do that, too. Assuming the battery and vehicle electrical system are good, the Optimate 4 will at least charge and maintain a battery with or without your knowing what it’s thinking. Although I will admit that some features are nice to have, like the microprocessors in the Optimate and other battery chargers like those made by Battery Tender, Acumen and others.

The charger can be connected by the supplied croc clips or hard wired to the battery via the fusedlead. The Optimate 4 is relatively difficult to find in North America; apparently the strategy is to first sell all of the Optimate 3 chargers still in retailer inventories.Our motorcycle batteries need to be charged to full voltage potential (14.2–14.5 volts for AGM’s and 14.0–15.0 volts for lead/acid batteries). And this, I feel, is the reason why our batteries don’t last as long as they use to when chargers use to fully and completely charge a battery. Once you get past the owner’s manual, the Optimate 4 is pretty easy to operate. It comes with a very nice, heavy-duty SAE connector type harness for your battery, instead of the white square plastic things that came with the Optimate 3. When the battery-sensing circuit observes that charge progress is sufficient, the unique ‘verification’ stage engages. The voltage is limited at a lower level, & if sensed necessary, a voltage pulsing action provides further desulfating (and) tops off the charge. When this has been verified, or if after 48 hours from connection the battery has been unable to accept (and) retain adequate charge, the next stage engages. Suitable for all types of rechargeable 12V lead-acid batteries: filler cap types; absorbed glass mat (AGM or "MF"); valve regulated (VRLA); GEL-electrolyte. As simple as 1-2-3: Just connect OptiMate 4 to your battery, the rest is automatic. Electronically protected against user errors. There is no switch, no fuse and there are no sparks.