Getting connected - " Bringing order to chaos "
In the business of charging or drawing power from the battery , making the right , secure and safe ' connection ' is important . However , with so many different connectors in use in powersports , it ' s not as straightforward as it needs to be … TecMate saw this problem coming and down the years has planned its platform connectivity carefully and developed a range of premium cables and adapters that can connect most of the different connection systems together - " bringing order to the chaos ". Says Martin Human , CEO / CTO of TecMate : " We can ' t prescribe to OEMs what connector they should use - they all have their own and generally differing
O-01 premium quick-connect permanent battery lead for powersport batteries , with weather protected connection system and cable .
reasons for the choices they make . So , our job is to make life easier for dealers and riders by making adapters that cover most of the options and requirements needed , so riders can hook up to the vehicle ' s battery , be it to charge or draw power ." OptiMate battery chargers utilise the industry
O-19 Ø12 mm DIN power socket adapter .
standard 2-pin SAE connection system - " and we have made sure that the OptiMate SAE connector fits all other SAE 2-pin connectors ". OptiMate ' s ' O ' SAE is a little better than standard , it ' s designed to accept in-line or end cap seals that protect the SAE connection against ingress of dirt and water . " Often overlooked and misunderstood , cable temperature rating is important too ," says Martin . " OptiMate is now standardising on SPT-2W
O-20 SAE front mount panel connector .
- the ' W ' signifying a -40 ° C /° F rating and the SPT-2 signifying thicker insulation of 1.1 mm ( 0.045 "). " OptiMate ' s waterproof fused battery leads are a popular choice for OEMs and dealers alike . Fitment of a good battery lead makes it easy for the rider to connect a battery charger when storing their vehicle . Ring sizes from M6 ( 1 / 4 ") to the innovative dual ring ( M6-M8 / 1 / 4 " - 5 / 16 ") system allow for connection to any powersport battery , including larger batteries used on Side-by-Sides , with bulk quantities 4 , 20 or 120 available ." OptiMate offers a range of SAE-to-SAE extenders from 180 cm ( 6 ft ) up to 460 cm ( 15 ft ), with an even longer 762 cm ( 25 ft ) extender coming during 2022 . OptiMate ' s range of SAE-to-SAE panel mount
O-30 tankbag connector .
sockets include the unique front mount O-20 socket with rubber expander system , designed for when it is difficult to reach behind and tighten that nut . Mounting and connecting is from the front - simply drill the 25 mm ( 1 ") hole , make the connection , push the socket into the hole and then tighten the nut on the front , and the rubber expander jams it in position . The conventional O-40 socket line fits an 18 mm ( 0.7 ") hole . Short ( 15 cm / 6 ") and long versions ( 100 cm / 40 ") are available for both . Rounding out the panel mount options is the O-30 tank or pannier bag 12V power-pass through , a low profile panel mount system that fits the crosshair entry on most tank bags . " The ISO / DIN 4165 Ø12 mm connector - used extensively on BMW , Ducati and Triumph motorcycles - creates a vibration-resistant connection ideal for motorcycle and even marine use . OptiMate ' s red BIKE ' DIN ' connectors are a perfect fit with two fully encapsulated plug styles on offer - in-line ( with cable exiting at 180 °) and low
O-39 adapter for heated apparel .
profile with cable exiting at 90 °. The O-09 , O-19 and O-29 adapts from ' DIN ' to SAE , whereas the O-39 adapter adapts from ' DIN ' to DC2.5 ." The DC2.5 connector is an axial 5.5 x 2.5 mm DC socket and plug system " used by many heated gear and apparel companies , with a few also using the smaller 5.5 mm x 2.1 mm system . OptiMate ' s DC2.5 and DC2.1 adapters include the 100 cm O- 21 battery lead made with 1.32 mm2 ( 16AWG ) cable designed to pass up to 13 amp of current . " The most common 12V outlet used in the powersports industry is the 21-22 mm diameter ' AUTO ' J563 / SAE563 connector ," says Martin . " OptiMate offers fused SAE to AUTO adapters , the O-02 that can also adapt to DIN / Ø12 mm socket , and a standard O-12 adapter ." Coming during 2022 is the O-22 plug with an adjustable perimeter expander system that will keep the plug firmly in the socket during ' hard ' hi-vibration riding . " And then there are the diagnostic connectors - found on different motorcycles - that also have a 12V power feed from the battery . " OptiMate offers a fused O-47 adapter for Ducati motorcycles and the O-57 for MV Agusta , as well as the latest Euro 5 connector that is meant to reduce the number of different diagnostic connectors on European motorcycles to one - OptiMate ' s O-77 - that has been tested and approved by Ducati ." Martin says there are yet more adapters due for release by OptiMate during 2022 , and that this reflects on the complexities caused by the way that power use on motorcycles is evolving . These will include the high current EC5 range , utilising the same connector as used by the majority of lithium jump starters , a magnetic connection system that utilises the Magcode connector that is popular in motorsport , and a line of ' DIN ' sockets delivered with handle and panel-mount hardware .
TECMATE Tienen , BELGIUM Tel : + 32 ( 0 ) 16 805 440 www . tecmate . com www . optimate1 . com
O-77 Euro 5 adapter .
38 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 www . idnmag . com