8
STEP 7
CHARGE
LED #4 : YELLOW
TEST
4
5
3
Within the normal
safeTº
temperature zone the
ampmatic
™
LiFePO
4
specific program automatically determines the most efficient
rate of charge current for the connected battery, according to its state
of charge, state of health, and electrical storage (Ah) capacity. The
delivered current may be anywhere from 1.25A to 9.5A for batteries
with an electrical storage (Ah) capacity less than 10Ah (8Ah) charge
current is automatically adjusted lower to an average equal to battery
Ah capacity, e.g. a 2.5Ah / 2500mAh battery receive an average of 2.5
Amps.
NOTE:
For safety reasons there is an overall charge time limit of 24
hours for SAVE and CHARGE modes.
STEP 8
OPTIMIZE
LED #5 : YELLOW
TEST
4
5
8
The OPTIMIZE mode starts when the voltage has reached 14.4V for
the first time during bulk CHARGE mode.
The
ampmatic
™ current control program now delivers pulses of
current to equalise the individual cells within the battery and optimizes
charge level.
Charging should complete within the minimum charge time set during
STEP 3, but if the battery requires further charging the program will
extend OPTIMIZE mode up to a maximum of 2 hours.
STEP 9
TEST after
charge
LED #6
FLASHING
TEST
6
7
5
8
TEST after charge : Delivery of current to the battery is interrupted
for 30 minutes* to allow the program to determine the battery’s
ability to retain charge.
*
IF charging started in SAVE mode (LED #3, indicating a deep
discharged battery) the voltage retention test is extended to 12
hours to confirm battery health.
The TEST result (indicated on LED # 6, 7, 8) is adjusted in real time
according to the measured battery voltage. Consult the “EARLY
WARNING OF BATTERY PROBLEMS” table on page 2 to match TEST
LED indication to an estimated state of charge percentage (SOC%).
More information is provided in the section “NOTES ON TEST
RESULTS”.
STEP 10
OptiMATE
smart
MAINTAIN
LED #6 / 7 / 8
ON
TEST
6
7
For batteries with a
good state of health
LED #6 (green) will
remain on.
MAINTENANCE CHARGE: LED #6 / 7 / 8 steady on
according to final voltage measured at termination of STEP 9.
The
MAINTENANCE CHARGE CYCLE
consists of 30 minute charge
periods followed by and alternating with a 30 minute ‘rest’ periods,
during which there is no charge current.
During the 30 minute charge cycles current is delivered only if the
battery has lost charge.
The
BATTERY REFRESH CYCLE
is performed if the charger detects the
battery has lost significant charge. The program returns to OPTIMIZE
mode (LED #5) and then proceeds to the voltage retention test and
maintenance charge cycle.
Read section MAINTAINING A LITHIUM BATTERY FOR EXTENDED
PERIODS.
NOTES ON TEST RESULTS:
1.
For any test result other than green #6, disconnect the battery from the electrical system it supports, and
reconnect the OptiMate. If a better test result is now obtained, this suggests that the power losses are partly due
to an electrical problem in the electrical system and not in the battery itself.
NOTE: A sudden load being switched on while the charger is connected can cause the battery voltage to
reduce significantly and test result to worsen.
2. TEST LED #8 (red) flashing -
Charging is suspended.
If it occured during -
