5
NOTES:
1. Choosing the right size of solar panel:
12V solar panels are rated according to the maximum output it is able to
deliver in direct and full sunlight to a fixed 12V load. Maximum power is rarely achieved; output can drop below
20% in indirect sunlight (e.g. cloud cover).
For effective long-term battery maintenance choose a panel that will deliver sufficient current to overcome the
parasitic draw of the vehicle circuitry (such as alarm, clock, engine control unit) and return charge lost overnight.
Typical parasitic drain: 10-20mA for a motorcycle / power sport vehicle and 30-50mA for a car or pick-up truck
fitted with a 12V battery.
2. Speed up recovery of a neglected battery
– Use an OptiMate 3, 4, 5 or 6 that connects directly to AC power to
recover the battery. Find the appropriate OptiMate charger at www.optimate1.com
3. Test a battery
– Find the appropriate OptiMate tester at www.optimate1.com
4.
The OptiMate SOLAR will maintain a battery whose basic condition is good, for months at a time. At least once
every two weeks, check that the connections between the charger and battery are secure, and, in the case of
batteries with filler caps on each cell, disconnect the battery from the charger, check the level of the electrolyte and
if necessary, top up the cells (
with distilled water, NOT acid
), then reconnect. When handling batteries or in their
vicinity, always take care to observe the SAFETY WARNINGS contained in this manual.
LIMITED WARRANTY
TecMate (International) SA, Sint-Truidensesteenweg 252, B-3300 Tienen, Belgium, makes this limited warranty to the original purchaser at
retail of this product. This limited warranty is not transferable. TecMate (International) warrants this battery charger for three years from date
of purchase at retail against defective material or workmanship. If such should occur the unit will be repaired or replaced at the option of the
manufacturer. It is the obligation of the purchaser to forward the unit together with proof of purchase (see NOTE), transportation or mailing
costs prepaid, to the manufacturer or its authorized representative. This limited warranty is void if the product is misused, subjected to
careless handling, or repaired by anyone other than the factory or its authorized representative. The manufacturer makes no warranty other
than this limited warranty and expressly excludes any implied warranty including any warranty for consequential damages.
THIS IS THE ONLY EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY AND THE MANUFACTURER NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANYONE TO ASSUME OR
MAKE ANY OTHER OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE PRODUCT OTHER THAN THIS EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY. YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS ARE
NOT AFFECTED.
NOTE: Details at www.tecmate.com/warranty.
copyright © 2014 TecMate International
OptiMate SOLAR and the names of other battery care products mentioned in these instructions such as BatteryMate, TestMate and TestMate
mini, are registered trademarks of TecMate International NV.
WARRANTY in Canada, USA, Central America & South America:
TecMate North America, Oakville, ON, Canada, as a wholy owned subsidiary of TecMate International, assumes the responsibility for product
warranty in these regions.
More information on TecMate products can be found at
www.tecmate.com
.
