International Dealer News IDN 153 February/March 2020 | Page 40

PRO GuIDe
OptiMate Battery
Monitors - "Stronger
for longer"
OptiMate O-127
We all know that motorcycle batteries need
continuous charge maintenance, or constant
topping off, so that the battery remains healthy and
ready to start the engine when needed.
Both lead-acid and Lithium batteries benefit from
continuous or frequent maintenance charging -
simply put, the batteries will remain stronger for
longer.
Lead-acid batteries (AGM, GEL and STD wet cell)
self-discharge even without being hooked up to
circuitry - the batteries use their own energy just to
stay alive. During discharge lead-sulphate is
generated, nasty stuff that likes to crystalise if the
battery is not recharged soon enough, and then that
battery becomes more difficult to recharge.
To avoid compromising longevity it's best to recharge
before the charge level drops below 50%. In any
case, below 50% all lead-acid batteries deliver fewer
cranking amps, so it pays to keep them charged.
Lithium (LiFePO4/Lithium Ferrous Phosphate)
starter batteries self-discharge way less than lead-
acid, use less of their own energy to stay alive and
can deliver maximum power right down to 10%
charge, but as their capacity is on average three times
less than the equivalent lead-acid battery, in a stored
vehicle they will discharge quicker.
Fortunately, nothing nasty is generated during
discharge, essentially lithium ions move from
cathode (negative) to anode (positive) through the
electrolyte and during recharge the direction is
reversed - the cathode (negative plate) gets its
lithium back from the anode (positive plate).
It is, however, essential that there's always a
minimum level of lithium at either cathode and
anode otherwise they become vulnerable and start
breaking down. In realistic terms that means as long
as the battery's charge level is between 30% and
100%, longevity and performance will not be
compromised.
There are, of course, times when it is impossible to
hook up a maintenance charger to the battery,
maybe the vehicle owner's storage area does not
have power, or multiple vehicles are in storage and
typically there are not enough power outlets. Then,
in a dealer's showroom dozens of chargers and
cables lying around or hanging from the motorcycles
create a trip hazard - but being unable to fire up the
engine of that motorcycle the customer is so excited
about, can dampen or even kill the sale.
That's where OptiMate Monitors can help. Wired
or connected to the vehicle they are out of the way,
yet still able to indicate state of charge in the blink
of an LED. Three LEDs indicate state of charge, green
is great, and no charge needed; yellow is still good,
maybe recharge soon; red means low battery,
recharge now.
The LED corresponding to charge level blinks every
few seconds, reducing draw from the battery to a
miserly 0.2 milli-amps. When charging is required,
flip open the SAE charge port and hook up an
OptiMate battery charger, or fire up the engine.
Once fired up, the LED mode changes to indicate if
the charging system is working right, or in the case
40
of Lithium batteries that do not like to be
overcharged, a warning light will blink furiously if
charge voltage exceeds 14.6V.
The O-124 is ideal for all 12V lead-acid batteries,
including AGM, GEL and STD wet cell. The 4th LED
indicates the higher voltage that AGM batteries can
hold.
The O-127 is ideal for 12.8V Lithium Ferrous
Phosphate batteries. The 4th LED indicates if charge
voltage exceeds the safe level of 14.6V.
Both monitors come with OptiMate's unique dual
size rings, able to fit battery posts ranging from M6
(1/4") to M8 (5/16"). For dealers that want to fit
these smart leads to vehicles at PDI, both come in a
jar of 20.
For vehicles with lead-acid batteries that have a
OptiMate O-124
battery lead with SAE connector pre-fitted, the O-
125 is ideal. The O-126 plugs directly into a 12V auto
size socket that remains live during storage, e.g. KTM
adventure motorcycles.
TECMATE
Tienen, BELGIUM
Tel: [phone]
www.tecmate.com
www.optimate1.com
INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020
www.idnmag.com