Optimate battery chargers and Optimate cables

Motorcorner is a dealer of the High-quality Optimate trickle chargers, battery chargers, battery tester and the corresponding Optimate connection cables, USB and LED accessories. Tecmate is a Belgian company that specializes in automotive battery and battery maintenance products for Motorcycles, Quads, Jet skis, Snowmobiles, cars, Caravans, boats, garden machines, etc.

When it comes to testing and charging acidified, maintenance-free, GEL or Lithium batteries, Tecmate always has a suitable solution. Motorcorner has been working with TecMate products for 30 years and we have a very positive experience with them, as well as the many tens of thousands of customers to which we have sold the TecMate products. Tecmate was founded in Belgium on September 1, 1994 to develop and manufacture professional chargers and tools for battery charging, battery testing and engine troubleshooting and tuning for motorcycles, scooters, vessels, cars, small aircraft. The knowledge and experience that TecMate had with professional battery chargers led to the development of the OptiMate battery-saving charging method in 1995, with the aim of saving / recovering AGM, GEL and STD lead-acid batteries after a long standstill and deep discharge of the battery. The Tecmate OptiMate battery charger now charges, tests and maintains lithium (LifePO4) batteries. Tecmate's wide product range includes unique precision electronic instruments for the motorcycle and automotive industries, as well as the various associated cable and power accessories. We have experienced the high quality during the last 20 years because very rarely a Tecmate charger was returned for warranty, only if after 15 years the charger no longer functioned properly if the plug was defective. We and many ten thousand customers to whom we have sold a Tecmate product can confirm the quality, simply a top product !!

The Tecmate Optimate battery chargers:

• The Optimate 1 is the smallest 12 Volt 0.6 A battery charger for 2–30Ah batteries
• The Optimate 2 the small entry-level 12 Volt 0.8 A battery charger for 2–96 Ah batteries
• The Optimate 3 entry-level 12 Volt 0.8 A battery charger for 2–50Ah batteries (also available in a double and quatro version)
• The Optimate 4 is the CAN bus 12 Volt 0.6 A battery charger for 2–50 Ah batteries (also available in a CAN bus edition with BMW plug)
• The Optimate 5 a powerful 12 Volt 4 A battery charger for 15–192Ah batteries (also available as a 6/12 Volt version)
• The Optimate 6 the powerful 12 Volt 5 A battery charger for 3–240 Ah batteries (also available as a 12/24 Volt version)
• The Optimate 7 the all-rounder 12 Volt 10 A battery charger for 15–192Ah batteries (also available as 12/24 Volt version)
• The Optimate Lithium is a Lithium LFP 12.8 Volt 0.8 A battery charger for 2–30Ah batteries (also available as quatro and 5 A version)
• The Optimate Solar battery charger for when there is no power available, eg on the road. 

The Tecmate motorcycle battery charger: 

For small maintenance-free motorcycle batteries, fully automatic Optimate battery chargers are available from Tecmate. The charging process of an Optimate battery charger is always perfect. The Optimate charging current is not adjustable but is always maximum. The LEDs on the Tecmate trickle chargers indicate the progress of testing and charging. Charging starts at a low voltage after which it slowly increases. The charging current first remains constant (The height is different for each charger and battery). Subsequently, charging takes place with varying voltage and current. Fully testing and charging a battery with a Tecmate trickle charger takes two to four hours depending on the charger and the battery. The charged battery then enters a state of charge maintenance (trickle charge). With the maintenance-free battery, the battery fluid must penetrate well into the plates during the initial charge. This requires a charging curve that only a special battery charger such as Tecmate supplies with the Optmates can supply. Charging starts with a high voltage of 22 volts and a low current. If the battery is deeply discharged or if the plates are sulphated, the Tecmate battery charger performs a recovery charge. The Optimate battery charger therefore follows the special charging curve. If the recovery is successful, the battery will continue to be charged. The Optimate trickle charger now puts the charged battery in a state of charge maintenance (trickle charge). If recovery charging fails, an LED indicates that the battery is otherwise unusable and the battery needs to be replaced. You can connect the Tecmate trickle charger using an Optimate fused plug that you mount directly to the battery. The battery can still be kept in good condition during longer periods of inactivity. The longer lifespan of the battery that is achieved with this outweighs the purchase costs of the Optimate trickle charger. 

Initial charging of low maintenance MF or Gel batteries with an Optimate charger from Tecmate: 

With the 'dry' preloaded MF battery, you must do the following before the initial charge (first charge):

• Fill the battery with the supplied battery fluid. Its acidity is higher than that of the battery fluid for the rechargeable battery;
• Leave the battery for at least half an hour after filling;
• Tap the battery regularly so that the gas bubbles escape;
• Close the battery with the sealing strip

The battery can now only use 60% to 70% of its total capacity. The first charging must therefore be done with an Optimate battery charger from Tecmate that has a special charging curve. If you use the wrong battery charger or the vehicle's dynamo for the first charging of the 'dry' preloaded MF battery, the battery's capacity will never exceed approximately 75% of the stated total capacity. Since the motorcycle battery (4Ah – 20Ah) has a low capacity, starting problems quickly arise. The battery will therefore run out quickly. The following charges of a maintenance-free battery can be done with a simpler type of battery charger, but this is not recommended. Also use the Tecmate drop chargers that have been specially developed for this. 

Maintenance of the Motorcycle battery: 

Every motorcycle battery needs maintenance and proper placement in the battery compartment. For proper maintenance, note the following:

• For the conventional battery, check that the battery fluid level is between the maximum and minimum marks. If necessary, top up the battery with demineralized water (so never with electrolyte!);
• Ensure correct charging voltage of the electrical installation on the motorcycle;
• Use a suitable Optimate battery or trickle charger from Tecmate;
• Keep the outside and especially the top of the battery clean;
• Keep the battery terminals clean and grease the battery terminals with acid-free Vaseline.
• Make proper connections to the battery terminals;
• Secure the battery securely in the battery compartment of the motorcycle;
• Place the drain hose (if present) for the battery vapors according to the workshop manual;
• Make sure the battery does not get too hot (less than 40 ° C);
• Make sure the battery is cool during storage and is regularly charged with a Tecmate Optimate charger.

Visual inspection of a battery 

Before you start performing all test procedures, you can often make an initial visual judgment about the condition of the battery. If you are removing a battery from a motorcycle, you can check the following to assess the condition of the battery:

• First check the sticker (if present) when the battery has been filled. For example, if the battery was filled 5 years ago, you can include this in your assessment
• With a rechargeable battery you can judge by the battery on the basis of the plates any since. If one or more white cells are knocked out compared to others, these cells can be bad, the white color often indicates that the plates are irreparably affected.
• If you see dark pieces on the inside of a rechargeable battery, pieces of porous lead have come loose from the plate as shown in the picture. If this is the case, it indicates that the battery has had its best time;
• With the MF battery and the Gel battery you can see a thing or two on the housing. Because the plates are close to the housing, the plates will push the housing outward when expanded. The plates in the battery expand due to sulphation, but the plates “rust”. If there are plates in one or more cells that expand too much, the housing of these cells will be pushed outwards. You can see this because the housing shows bulges as shown in the image. The battery must have a perfectly straight housing, if these bulges show, the battery has had its day.
• If you see a hollow housing with MF or Gel batteries, there is something wrong with the pressure relief valve. The housing has become hollow due to negative pressure (vacuum). If you come across this, this often indicates an overcharged battery or a defect with the plates. Replacing the battery; 

Safety when handling the battery: 

To safely handle batteries during your work and charging with an Optimate charger, here are some tips:

• Always disconnect the ground cable from the battery when working on the electrical system of the motorcycle. This prevents unnecessary sparking and short circuits. When removing the battery, first disconnect the earth cable and then the positive cable. When mounting the battery, first connect the positive cable and then the earth cable.
• When charging the battery with a Tecmate trickle charger, an explosive gas (electrolytic gas) can escape from the battery. Therefore, make sure that the room is well ventilated and prevent sparks and fire.
• Battery fluid (electrolyte) will corrode most motorcycle materials. Therefore, rinse parts well with water if you spilled it.

Injury from battery fluid causes burns on skin contact. Here are some tips to limit the unpleasant consequences:

• Remove all clothing that has come into contact with battery fluid. After washing these clothes, holes often appear in the clothes where battery fluid has been spilled;
• Rinse skin that has been in contact with battery fluid with cold running water for ten to fifteen minutes;

If battery fluid has got into the eyes, the eyelids should be pressed up. Rinse the eyes with cold running water for ten to fifteen minutes. Special eye washers are available in the workshop for this. Always contact a doctor after this. Do not use medicines or eye drops without consulting a doctor.