" Double the power , double the features " - OptiMate Lithium 4s 10A
Lithium batteries have made the jump from being a novel aftermarket accessory to becoming a commonplace essential for performance and adventure motorcycles . Their use has created the need for fast and safe charging and for providing support during PDI and service diagnostics . A relatively unknown advantage of lithium starter batteries is that they can be charged up to three times faster than AGM lead-acid batteries , the current popular ' stock ' battery choice . As a direct
comparison , the fastest charge an 8Ah AGM battery ( e . g . YTX10 ) can accept is around a third of its true rating , therefore 2.66 amps , but a lithium ferrous phosphate ( LiFePO4 , the technology used for lithium starter batteries ) rated at a true 8Ah can accept 8 amps ! OptiMate has recognised this in the architecture of its OptiMate Lithium 4s 10A ( part no : TM-274 in Europe , TM-275 in North America , TM-276 in the UK ). It can deliver up to 10 amps of fast charge but
Armadillo extreme
Portuguese manufacturer of " performance plastics " Polisport has updated its range of exhaust protectors for 2021 with the dual compound Armadillo extreme silencer guard for 4-stroke models . Made from a blend of stainless steel and silicone to increase the levels of protection in extreme conditions , it is abrasion and impact resistant and features elastomer compound to reduce vibrations and noise can also automatically adjust its charge rate down to what a smaller battery can accept ; its AmpMatic ( lithium tuned ) charging method takes care of that - bigger batteries get more , smaller batteries get less , all automatically . " But that ' s not all ," says TecMate CEO / CTO Martin Human , " like every OptiMate battery charger , there is always more built into the advanced circuitry . " Firstly , and obvious for any OptiMate battery saving charger , it will safely and effectively save lithium starter batteries from as low as 0.5 volt . Its smart algorithm actively tests and confirms battery health until it has recovered sufficiently to receive a fast charge - very important for such dense energy technology . " Secondly , it offers battery management system reset at the press of a button . Increasingly , lithium battery manufacturers are adopting vital protective measures for their performance batteries . The most important being deep discharge protection , or , in simple terms , low voltage cut-off , i . e . the battery turns off if discharged too low . When that happens it then needs a special reset signal to turn it back on - delivered at the push of a button by the OptiMate 4s 10A . " Finally , the new 4s 10A includes a TUNE mode - a stable 13.6V that supports the lithium battery during diagnostics and troubleshooting when the engine is not running ." A 10 amp battery charger for motorcycle starter batteries might have sounded over the top even as recently as two years ago , but in 2021 it suddenly makes a lot of sense , especially when it comes to the lithium ( LiFePO4 ) technology that is increasingly being embraced by motorcycle manufacturers . TecMate is not new to this technology , its first OptiMate Lithium 4s 5A was introduced in 2010 , in response to the " at the time " exotic new lithium starter battery technology that was beginning to be embraced by a handful of leading-edge custom bike builders and racers . " Lithium starter batteries have come a long way
since then , and quickly ," says Martin . " They have become ' mainstream ' and OptiMate Lithium already has over ten years of experience in how to charge them fast and right ."
TECMATE Tienen , BELGIUM Tel : + 32 ( 0 ) 16 805 440 www . tecmate . com www . optimate1 . com
compared to other metal designs . The high temperature resistant , flexible and adaptable design measures 30 cm long . Available in OE colours , it weighs 460 g and is a quick and easy install - no parts have to be disassembled . The model-specific mounting kit includes two brackets or two brackets and two metallic clips . Polisport also offers 2-stroke exhaust protector designs and silencer end cap style protectors , also all in OE matching colours .
POLISPORT Carregosa , PORTUGAL Tel : + 351 256 410 230 polisport @ polisport . com www . polisport . com
52 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 www . idnmag . com