Category Archives: OptiMate

Accessories, Battery Chargers, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

OptiMate Launch Game-Changing Battery Charger

The ultimate battery charger and maintainer for the latest generation 12V lead-acid and lithium batteries.

OptiMate 4 Quad Program is the ultimate battery charger for the high technology 12V lead-acid or lithium battery, typically found in adventure, touring, cruiser and performance motorcycles. Also suitable for quads, side-by-side off-roaders and personal watercraft, it is the world’s most advanced powersport battery charger.

Without a proper battery care routine, running a bike like BMW’s new R1300 GS can quickly become a costly pursuit – a genuine BMW replacement lithium battery can set you back over £250.

Add on accessories, like on-bike device charging, auxiliary lights and heated grips, which put additional demands on both battery and charging system, and it’s never been more important to invest in a quality battery charger/maintainer.

Works with all types of batteries
Both batteries and motorcycle electrical systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated and sensitive, which makes choosing the right charger tricky – using the wrong one can cause more harm than good.

The OptiMate 4 Quad Program is the perfect solution for owners any motorcycle with a 12V system and is particularly useful for those with more than one bike to look after, because you can select the type of battery that is fitted.

A one-stop solution to battery care, it is a 9-step 1.25A charger and maintainer that can be connected to all 12V STD, AGM and GEL lead-acid and LiFePO4 or LFP Lithium batteries.

Super simple to operate, the user can toggle between main modes at the push of a button, then just leave the OptiMate 4 Quad Program to do its thing automatically.

Gold standard charging and maintenance
Part of OptiMate’s premium Gold Series, the Quad Program will test, assess, monitor and maintain the battery within its safe range, without the need for user input. It automatically adjusts current to match battery size and condition, and will also diagnose battery health, warning when damage is detected. The fully automatic multi-step programme brings it safely to full charge: just select from one of the four programmes:

  1. Lead-acid direct-to-battery
  2. Lead-acid via BMW CAN-Bus accessory socket
  3. Lithium direct-to-battery
  4. Lithium via BMW CAN-Bus accessory socket

OptiMate 4 Quad Program does the rest; no supervision needed.

For long-term use, connect the battery lead directly onto the terminals, and the charger will keep a battery in peak condition and extend its working life. It can also recover a ‘dead’ unit from as low as 0.5V, (most batteries appear ‘flat’ when they drop to 9V and are almost impossible to recover from below 2V).

CAN bus compatible
The Quad programming allows for charging directly to the battery, or through a live (‘hot’) 12V socket, using the optional OptiMate connector. It’s also fully set up to work with the CAN-bus controlled 12V DIN sockets found on many modern BMWs.

It features Automatic Keyless Activation and the built-in BMS (Battery Management System) reset function reactivates Lithium batteries from sleep or deep discharge protection mode, ready to accept a charge.

When the battery is at optimum charge level, the Quad Program switches to continued 24/7 long-term maintenance mode, to keep the battery in peak health.

Energy-saving technology built-in
Completely safe for long-term ‘connect-and-forget’ use, the OptiMate 4 Quad Program comes with full electronic protection, to prevent overcharging or damage to sensitive vehicle electronics.

It has Energy Saving Technology to minimise electricity use (stand-by power is less than 0.5W) and is rated for use down to -40°C. It also features a weatherproof casing, so can be used outside.

The standard OptiMate 4 Quad Program retails at just £83.90 including VAT – much less than a replacement battery – and comes with a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.  For charging BMWs using the accessory socket, choose the OptiMate 4 Quad Program Premium which at £95.90 includes the required connector lead.

For full specification and to find your nearest stockist visit optimate.co.uk

Accessories, Batteries, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

OptiMate’s winter battery saving tips

Don’t get left out in the cold

OptiMate, the battery-saving experts, offer four essential tips to keep your motorcycle battery healthy until spring.

Motorcycle batteries lose a lot of their cranking power in colder weather, making failure much more common during the winter months.

As the temperature drops, the chemical reaction inside the battery slows down, significantly reducing its capacity and ability to turn over the engine; at 0°C even a fully charged battery can lose around a third of its starting power.

Colder weather also increases the energy needed to crank the engine, leading to a double whammy of reduced power and higher energy demand.

Factor in the increased use of lights and accessories, like heated grips and clothing, and your bike’s battery faces serious pressure.

Battery failure – an unwelcome and expensive event at any time of year – can be prevented with a few simple steps and the right approach to maintenance. OptiMate, the battery saving experts, share four essential tips to help keep your battery in good health until spring.

Age
Older batteries are more susceptible to failure during the winter months, since they already have reduced capacity due to the ageing process. If your bike’s battery is four years old or more, you should consider replacing it with a new unit, even if the existing one appears healthy. And if you plan on running accessories like heated grips and clothing, it’s worth upgrading to a higher power unit, to compensate for the increased pressure it will be under.

You can check the state of your battery using a voltmeter or, if you prefer something simpler, the OptiMate TEST gives an instant readout and can also be used to test the charging system.

Environment
Batteries perform better and last longer if they’re kept at a stable temperature. For bikes stored in unheated garages or sheds, an indoor cover will help prevent condensation and provide some insulation. Motorcycles kept outside need a waterproof and breathable cover to minimise the difference between day and night time temperatures around the battery. For bikes parked outdoors for long periods between use, taking the battery out of the bike and keeping it indoors on a maintainer will prolong its lifespan, but only do this if the bike isn’t fitted with an alarm or tracker.

Use
Short journeys may not be enough to keep your battery in a healthy state of charge – in fact they may actually do more damage than good. This is because the length of time the alternator has to recharge the battery may not be enough to offset the energy cost of starting the engine and powering on-board electrical equipment during the trip. To keep your battery in a healthy state of charge, make sure you go on longer trips regularly; ideally at least 10-15 miles at or around motorway speeds.

Charging
If you don’t use your bike very often through the winter months – or plan to hibernate it until spring – charge can be lost to alarms and immobilisers, clocks and on-board computers, as well as through self-discharge. The battery uses a little of its own energy every day to keep itself alive. Connecting your motorcycle to a battery charger/maintainer, like the OptiMate 1 Duo, will ensure the battery remains fully charged through the winter season, ready to start up in the spring, as well as extending its lifespan.

Accessories, Batteries, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

Updated OptiMate Battery Monitor

Weatherproof 12V battery lead and monitor, for instant checking and easy charging.

Updated for 2023, the OptiMate O-124 is a combined monitor and SAE socket, giving 24/7 battery status in the blink of an LED and hassle-free charging of your motorcycle starter battery.

A must for commuters, touring and year-round riders, the OptiMate O-124 gives an instant health status of any 12V AGM, STD or GEL battery, and will also confirm if the vehicle charging system is working correctly.

When it’s time to top up, simply plug any OptiMate battery charger into the built-in SAE socket; no additional adaptors or leads needed.

Quick and easy to set up, the O-124 connects directly to the battery terminals. It now comes fitted with ringlets that can be converted from M6 (1/4″) to M8 (5/16″), so it will fit the most commonly found sizes of battery terminal bolt.

Unlike app-based monitors, it doesn’t rely on third party applications or devices, and draws almost zero power from the bike’s battery; long term draw is less than 0.2mA.

Fully weatherproof and rated down to -40°C, it’s completely safe to leave attached to vehicles that are parked outside. There’s also an inline 15A fuse to protect both the battery and the bike’s electrical system.

The OptiMate O-124 retails at just £26.90 including VAT – a small price to pay for never being caught out by a dead battery again – and is covered by three-year warranty.

For details of this and all other OptiMate products visit optimate1.com

Accessories, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

New OptiMate USB-C on-bike charger

The first USB-C-ready on-bike charger for the latest generation devices.

USB-C has now been mandated in Europe as the single communication and charging connector for smartphones, sat navs and digital cameras, and OptiMate is ready with an on-bike charging kit.

The OptiMate USB O-118 is the first USB-C-ready on-bike charger, delivering 3300mA of fast charge – more than enough for the latest generation smartphones.

Like all OptiMate USB chargers, the O-118 is 100% true power rated, and delivers a continuous and consistent charge, which is essential for increasingly sophisticated modern devices. It automatically adapts the current to the connected device for safe recharging.

There’s also built-in protection for the bike’s battery. The O-118 will automatically stop charging the device when voltage drops below 13.3V, to prevent the bike’s battery and charging system being overloaded. When the engine is not running, it turns off charging after an hour.

As an added bonus the built-in battery monitor enables easy checking of battery health, and of course an OptiMate charger can be plugged straight into the O-118’s SAE connector for easy charging/maintenance.

Weatherproofing comes as standard, with an internal seal to help keep moisture out when a USB-C cable is plugged in, and a runner cap to seal out the elements when not in use.

It comes with M6 (1/4″) rings for connection directly to any 12V AGM or 12.8V LiFeP04 / LFP lithium battery, has a built-in fuse and 200cm (80”) of cable, so the USB-C end can be mounted on the handlebars, in a tank bag or under the seat.

The OptiMate USB O-118 retails for £49.90 including VAT.

For details of these and all other OptiMate products visit optimate1.com

For more info checkout our dedicated Optimate News page Optimate News

See the complete OptiMate range of chargers and monitors at  www.optimate1.com.

Accessories, Batteries, Industry News, OptiMate

Pre-season Battery Checks

Has your motorcycle been sitting in the garage or under a cover all winter long?

Batteries lose power over time,but with a few basic checks and a bit of maintenance you can make sure your bike starts on the button whenever you need it. We asked the battery saving experts at OptiMate for their top tips.

Your first job is to figure out the type of battery fitted to your motorcycle – is it Lead Acid (old school), Maintenance Free / AGM (common on most modern machines) or Lithium (becoming increasingly popular on high performance and off-road bikes). Here’s how to tell the difference.

Lead Acid
Conventional Lead Acid batteries will usually be labelled with reference numbers starting with the letters YB, CB or GB (e.g YB14L-A2); Y, C or G (e.g Y60-N24L-A); or 12N (e.g 12N24-3)

They usually have a black top with a row of plastic stoppers (three stoppers in a 6 volt battery and six in a 12 Volt). Inside are lead plates, surrounded by electrolyte mixture (the acid). This needs topping up with distilled water from time to time, so the stoppers can be removed to give access.

Maintenance Free / AGM
Maintenance Free or AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries are the most common type used in modern motorcycles, and normally have reference numbers starting with the letters YTX, CTX or GTX (e.g YTX9-BS).

They usually have a black case and have a stopper sunk into the top. Once filled, these batteries do not need to have the top removed, the acid level checked or be topped up. The electrolyte is suspended in fibreglass mats between the lead plates inside, hence the name.

Lithium Ion
Lithium Ion is the general group name used for all Lithium batteries. There are many different types – Lithium Iron Phosphate, also known as Lithium Ferrous Phosphate, is used for engine starter batteries. These will generally be marked as ‘Li-ion’, ‘LFP’ or ‘LiFePO4’.

Like Sealed/AGM batteries, Lithium Ion batteries usually have a black case, but have no stoppers in the top.

Check the condition of your battery
Multimeters can seem intimidating, but testing your bike’s Voltage with one is super simple, and they are a useful tool that costs little to buy.

With the ignition off, set the multimeter to the ‘20V DC’ (direct current) range. Connect or touch the red probe/clip to it to the positive terminal of your battery and the black one to the negative terminal.

If you’ve done it right, the Voltage should now be displayed on the meter’s screen.

A healthy 12V battery should give a reading between 12.5V and 12.9V. A conventional Lead-Acid should read 12.4V to 12.6V;  a Maintenance Free/AGM should be 12.7V to 12.9V; and a Lithium battery will normally be either 12.8V or 13.2V.

Next, start the engine and rev to between 3,000–4,000 rpm. This will indicate the voltage being put out by the alternator – an ideal charging range is between 14V to 14.5V, but down to 13.5V is acceptable.

If you have a lithium battery, your machine’s charging system should be putting out the safe charging rate of 14.4V. If it’s putting out more than that, there could be a problem.

If the reading is too high the voltage regulator could be faulty, which will cause the battery to overheat and fail.

If the reading is too low, the alternator is not generating sufficient current to recharge the battery – again another indication that there is a fault.

To make life easy, the OptiMate TS120 plug-and-play tester uses simple icons to indicate that everything is OK, or to highlight potential problems.

Attach a suitable OptiMate optimiser to your battery and it will test, check and assess your battery’s condition – again, using an easy-to-understand display to keep the user infomed – charging, repairing and even recovering deep discharged units automatically and safely.

Charging and maintaining
Regularly charging and maintaining your battery not only keeps it working to maximum capacity, it can also double its working life, as well as significantly reducing the likelihood of it failing.

There are many smart chargers on the market, which are designed to be attached to your motorcycle’s battery whenever it is parked up for long periods of time (more than a few days). These should not be confused with simple ‘trickle chargers’ which charge a battery slowly and then stop charging once a certain voltage is reached. Trickle chargers aren’t designed to be attached to batteries for long periods of time and won’t maintain a battery in the same way as a smart charger.

Recommended by most major motorcycle manufacturers, OptiMate chargers and optimisers can maintain, test, charge and even repair a bike’s battery, all completely automatically.

All OptiMate chargers run a unique ‘connect and forget’ 24hr, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year program, so they can and should be connected to your bike’s battery and left to do their work – no user input needed.

OptiMate Bronze series chargers automatically detect whether the battery is AGM or Lithium and charge accordingly – no need to pre-select or remove the battery from the bike – and will be suitable for the majority of modern bikes..

Visit www.optimate1.com to see the full range.

For more info checkout our dedicated Optimate News page Optimate News

See the complete OptiMate range of chargers and monitors at  www.optimate1.com.

Apparel, Industry News, Keis, Latest News, OptiMate

OptiMate Cable Converter for Heated Clothing

OptiMate’s O-67 Cable Kit converts an SAE battery charger lead to a DC jack for heated clothing.

Power heated clothing direct from your motorcycle using a regular battery charger lead with the OptiMate O-67 SAE – DC Cable Kit.

The handy kit comes with an O-67M SAE to 2.5mm Jack/Plug (male) and an O-67F SAE to 2.5mm Socket (female) lead, which are compatible with most heated garments. Both plug straight into any industry standard SAE 2-pin connector for an instant and secure connection straight to the battery – no need to run multiple cables from the terminals – and are a generous 30cm long to allow for short wires from heated clothing.

When parked up, simply disconnect the cable and plug the lead from the bike into an OptiMate charger to keep the battery in good health – something that is particularly important during colder weather.

Also included in the kit is an O-27 SAE to SAE Polarity Adapter, which enables connection to a range of other accessories.

All three adapters have a cable rating of 16AWG (1.32mm2) SPT-2W; feature weatherproof in-line seals on each SAE connector; and are tested to -40°C/-40°F, for complete confidence in a cold and damp winter environment.

The kit retails at just £29.90 and is covered by a 3-year warranty for complete peace of mind.

For details of these and all other OptiMate products visit optimate1.com

For more info checkout our dedicated Optimate News page Optimate News

See the complete OptiMate range of chargers and monitors at  www.optimate1.com.

For more KEiS News check out our new dedicated page KEiS News

or head to the official Keis Apparel website keisapparel.com

Accessories, Batteries, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

Sterling service for batteries from OptiMate

Vehicle batteries come in many different shapes and sizes, so choosing the perfect battery charger can be bewildering, especially if you own more than one set of wheels.

To help find the perfect partner for your motorcycle, car, quad or boat, OptiMate have divided their market-leading lead-acid battery chargers into three series – Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Silver Series chargers are designed for riders who need a smarter charger, with more power and capabilities to maintain and recover AGM (lead-acid) batteries on motorcycles and more.

  • OptiMate 3 – its automatic multi-step programme will test, diagnose, charge and maintain and can recover a ‘dead’ motorcycle battery from as low as 2V.  RRP £67.99 including VAT.
  • OptiMate 5 6V/12V – Ideal for owners of vehicles with 6V and 12V lead-acid batteries of up to 120Ah capacity (so powerful enough for cars too). Simply connect the OptiMate 5 to the battery, select the appropriate voltage and it does the rest automatically. RRP £83.99 including VAT
  • OptiMate 6 Ampmatic – The fully automatic, 9-step 6 Amp plug-n-play charger for the 12V lead-acid batteries in your motorcycle, car, van, boat or camper, up to 144Ah capacity. Automatically adjusts current to match battery size and condition..  RRP £110.99 including VAT
  • OptiMate 7 Ampmatic – The smartest and most powerful charger in the Silver Series, suitable for batteries up to 240Ah capacity, covering everything from motorbikes to farm machinery.  It can save a ‘dead’ battery from as low as 0.5V and uses energy-saving technology to minimise running costs. RRP £144.99 including VAT

All are designed to be connected long-term, with built-in protection from spark, overcharge and short-circuit. They will keep the battery at 100% charge, ready for action, and can recover deep-discharged batteries as well.

See the full range of OptiMate Bronze, Silver and Gold battery chargers at optimate1.com

For more info checkout our dedicated Optimate News page superbike-news.co.uk/optimate/

See the complete OptiMate range of chargers and monitors at  www.optimate1.com.

Accessories, Batteries, Battery Chargers, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

Dynamic Duo for Winter Battery Care

OptiMate Bronze Series Duo chargers make winter battery care foolproof and futureproof, automatically charging and maintaining both regular AGM and Lithium-ion (Li-ion) LFP starter batteries. 

Motorcycle batteries take a real hammering during the winter months – whether riding or storing. Lower temperatures slow the chemical reaction inside, reducing capacity, and the battery also uses energy to keep itself alive. On top of that, charge is lost to alarms, immobilisers, clocks and on-board computers.

Regular maintenance is crucial to keep the battery working at full capacity, and reduce the likelihood of failure, even more so if the bike runs a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) LFP starter battery.

Increasingly widespread as OEM units, Li-ion batteries need considerably more charge and maintenance than their AGM counterparts, yet often owners aren’t aware whether their machine has one fitted. Attempting to top up a Li-ion battery with the wrong charger can cause overheating, resulting in complete failure and, in extreme cases, fire.

OptiMate Duo battery chargers automatically detect whether the battery is AGM or Lithium and charge accordingly: no need to pre-select or remove the battery from the bike.

  • OptiMate 1 Duo (RRP £39.99 inc VAT) is ideal for charging and maintaining most motorcycle and scooter batteries under four years-old.
  • OptiMate 2 Duo (RRP £67.99 inc VAT) delivers 2 Amps charge current for larger 12V motorcycle batteries, as well as cars, ride-on mowers, etc.

Both versions are compatible with all 12V AGM, GEL and STD lead acid batteries, as wells as 12.8V / 13.2V Lithium-ion LFP (LiFePO4) units, keeping the user informed about battery condition and state of charge with an-easy-to-read LED display.

Designed to be connected long-term, with built-in protection from spark, overcharge and short-circuit, they keep the battery at 100% charge, ready for action when you press the starter button for the first time in weeks or even months.

For more info checkout our dedicated Optimate News page superbike-news.co.uk/optimate/

See the complete OptiMate range of chargers and monitors at  www.optimate1.com.

Accessories, Battery Chargers, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

Power up with OptiMate 2 Duo

Three times more powerful than their entry level charger/maintainer, the new OptiMate 2 Duo can handle the larger batteries found on cars, vans and recreational vehicles, as well as motorcycles.

Using the very latest charging technology, the OptiMate 2 Duo automatically recognises whether a battery is lead acid or Li-ion (‘lithium’) and selects the charging programme to suit, without the need for any user input or guesswork.

Delivering a 2 Amps charge current, it is designed to work with all 12V lead-acid batteries up to 96Ah and 12.8V/13.2V lithium (LiFePO4) batteries up to 24Ah. It can be swapped between bikes, cars, ride-on mowers and all sorts of vehicles, as required.

OptiMate’s unique 24-7-365 programme means users can just ‘connect and forget’. There is no risk of over-charging, and built-in spark suppression, with automatic shut-down if short-circuited or the battery is disconnected, adds to safety.

It also provides power to on-board computers and anti-theft alarms, an important benefit for vehicles that aren’t used regularly or are stored for long periods.

Suitable for all 12-volt lead-acid batteries – filler cap and sealed AGM or GEL – the OptiMate2 Duo is compatible with 12.8V/13.2V lithium (LiFePO4) batteries as well.

The retail price is £67.99 including VAT – less than the price of most replacement batteries – and the OptiMate 2 Duo comes with everything needed to get connected, including crocodile clips and a permanent fused battery connection lead.

For more info checkout our dedicated Optimate News page superbike-news.co.uk/optimate/

See the complete OptiMate range of chargers and monitors at  www.optimate1.com.

Accessories, Batteries, Battery Chargers, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

Never Jump Start a lithium battery

Faulty batteries are the number one cause of vehicle breakdowns in the UK* but jump-starting a motorcycle with a flat lithium battery can do more harm than good and should not be attempted under any circumstances. That’s the stark warning from OptiMate, the battery-saving experts.

Manufacturers are increasingly fitting new motorcycles with lithium (LiFePO4) batteries, because they take up less space than the regular lead-acid equivalent. However, they tend to be smaller capacity (a lower Ah rating) and so discharge more quickly. A deeply discharged lithium battery needs to be recharged very carefully, but a high-voltage shock, like you get with a jump start, could cause severe damage, and even make it explode or catch fire.

Recovering the battery using a lithium-specific charger – such as the OptiMate Lithium 0.8A – is the safest way to bring a ‘dead’ battery back to life. It starts off charging slowly, to avoid overheating, balancing the four 3.2V cells inside the battery in the process, ensuring it is returned to peak condition.

The OptiMate Lithium 0.8A retails for £64.99 – considerably less than a replacement lithium battery.

Of course, prevention is better is better than cure – connecting a bike to a smart charger when not in use will keep it fully charged. Prices start at £42.99 for the OptiMate 1 Duo, which will charge both lead-acid and lithium batteries thanks to its microprocessor controlled software.

For further information and to view the range, visit www.optimate1.com

*source: The AA https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/top-ten-breakdown-causes
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Accessories, Batteries, Battery Chargers, Industry News, OptiMate

POWER checks with OptiMate

Before venturing out on the road for the first time after an enforced lay-up, there are five essential pre-ride checks to make, often referred to by the acronym POWER:

  1. Petrol – check the gauge or the tank to make sure you have enough fuel for your journey
  2. Oil – check the sight glass or dipstick to make sure the engine oil level is correct
  3. Water – if your bike is water cooled, check the level in the reservoir or radiator
  4. Electrics – make sure your battery is fully charged and the lights, indicators and horn are all working
  5. Rubber – check your tyres are the correct pressure, tread depth is legal and there is no damage (from tears, punctures or perishing)

Most of these steps involve a simple, visual check, but making sure a battery is fully charged and working as it should is a little more complicated.

Fortunately OptiMate offer a range of monitors that make it easy to keep an eye on the condition of a bike’s 12v battery while it is parked for an extended time and chargers that will keep it in peak condition.

Unlike app-based monitors, OptiMate produces plug-and-play devices, designed to draw almost zero power from the bike’s battery. Charge level is indicated on an easy-to-read LED display panel, and when the motorcycle is started, the OptiMate monitor confirms whether the vehicle charging system is delivering the correct charge voltage. The O-125 monitor pictured sells at £19.99 inc VAT.

OptiMate’s battery chargers also feature easy-to-understand status indicators, and automatically monitor, charge and maintain batteries. They are fully automated – no input is required once connected – and the range covers most battery types found on motorcycles:

OptiMate1 Duo (RRP £39.99 inc VAT) is ideal for charging and maintaining batteries under four years-old, automatically recognising whether they are lead acid or Lithium Ion.

OptiMate3 Global (£59.99) is designed with a wide range input (100-240V, 50-60Hz) that works with mains electricity around the world. It diagnoses, charges, tests and maintains all types of 12V lead-acid batteriesand will even recover sulphated batteries with almost zero charge remaining.

OptiMate 4 (£72.99) features all the proven functions that earned OptiMate the recommendation of virtually every major motorcycle manufacturer, plus unique keyless connectivity for CanBUS-equipped bikes;

OptiMate Lithium 0.8A (£62.99) is specifically designed to safely monitor and maintain lithium batteries, and will reset the internal BMS (Battery Management System) so that charging can begin.

Find out more about the OptiMate range of chargers and monitors at www.optimate1.com.

OptiMate

OptiMate – the next 25 is green

OptiMate, the original battery-saving charger, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019, and  in that time, has saved millions of batteries from being thrown into landfill sites around the world.

Reducing waste plays an important part in the drive to protect the environment and, looking ahead to the next quarter century, the team at OptiMate warn that the move to lithium starter batteries for motorcycles creates fresh challenges.

Light, compact and powerful, Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries are increasingly being fitted as standard to premium motorcycles, such as Honda’s popular Africa Twin. Many riders are also choosing to upgrade old lead acid starter batteries with more modern lithium (LFP) versions.

Although lithium batteries offer significant advantages to lead acid designs, they are also more easily damaged; discharging (running flat), over-charging, short-circuiting and jump-starting can easily ‘kill’ an LFP battery,

This situation is made worse by the fact that LFP batteries have a smaller capacity than traditional lead-acid models and are likely to run out of charge faster.

Although motorcycle batteries are described as 12 volt, in fact lead acid batteries can accept a higher charge than LFP, so a regular ‘12V charger’ could easily over-charge an LFP battery and destroy it. While it is important to use a charger/maintainer when your motorcycle is not in use, to prevent the battery from going flat, it is essential to use a charger specifically designed for lithium batteries, to avoid over-charging.

Fortunately, OptiMate have thought of this, and offer a range of lithium chargers, including a fast 5A charger for motorsport use, a regular 0.8A version for home use and now an entry-level model, the Duo, which automatically detects whether a battery is lead acid or lithium and charges it accordingly.

Find out more about the OptiMate range at www.optimate1.com.


Batteries, OptiMate

Off-Grid Charging With Optimate

Being away from a 240-Volt power socket no longer means being powerless to charge batteries, thanks to OptiMate’s range of Off-Grid chargers.

OptiMate’s DC to DC will charge and maintain a 12V lead-acid or lithium battery, using another 12V battery as a power source; ideal for race paddocks, camping and outbuildings with no mains supply.

The DC to DC has the features you’d expect to find on any OptiMate: it recovers, charges and maintains any STD, AGM and GEL 12V or 12.8V/13.2V Lithium (LiFeO4) battery using a larger source battery and, thanks to OptiMate’s Source Battery Protection, without discharging the source.

It can save a deep discharged battery from as low as 2 volts and will reset the BMS (battery management system) on a lithium (LiFePO4) battery, then recharge it fast.
It can be used inside or outdoors, thanks to a weatherproof case; is completely safe for long-term battery maintenance; and can be used with all 12V batteries from 3 – 96Ah.

The OptiMate DC to DC costs £89.99 (including VAT) and comes with everything needed to get charging: a 6ft / 180cm AC supply lead and 6ft / 180cm charge lead ending in an SAE connector; a weatherproof battery lead, plus standard and fused battery clip sets.

For riders looking for a natural power source, OptiMate Solar Modular Charge Kits convert the low power from the solar panel to the high current pulses needed for effective charging and maintenance of 12V batteries.

They achieve this completely automatically thanks to the TM-522 smart charger-controller: when the panel receives sunlight, the controller delivers power to the battery; when the sun goes down, or the monitor senses no power is being delivered, it changes into a battery monitor, indicating battery status every three seconds.

The Kits are also completely safe for use with all STD, AGM and GEL 12V batteries, from 2 – 240Ah, and won’t overcharge or damage vehicle electronics.

The solar panel, smart controller and battery lead are all weatherproof, so are safe to use outdoors, and have been tested to -20°C.

OptiMate Solar Modular Charge kits come in four versions: the 10W TM-522-1 (12V 0.8A max.) is the most portable, measuring 29cm x 32.5cm; the larger, and more powerful, 20W TM-522-2 (12V 1.6A max.) will charge most automotive 12V batteries.

If more power is needed, there are also the higher power 40W (TM523-4), 60W (TM523-6) and 80W (TM523-8) kits that include the higher power rated TM523 charger-monitor. Prices start at £114.99 including vat.

For more details visit www.optimate1.com


Accessories, Batteries, Battery Chargers, Industry News, Latest News, OptiMate

OptiMate Panel Show

New to the OptiMate range, the O-40S SAE Socket is a quick and easy way to add an accessible connection point for battery charges and other devices to your bike.

The OptiMate O-40S is a universal, weatherproof, panel-mount SAE power point that can be retro-fitted to almost any machine. Quick and easy to install, it hard-mounts to the bike’s bodywork and is plugs into an OptiMate battery lead, providing a handy point through which to connect an OptiMate charger when not riding – no need to remove body panels or seat for access, and no more fiddly crocodile clips.

The ability to power a sat nav or smartphone, as well as accessories like heating clothing, is important for many riders, but despite this most machines don’t come with the capability built-in. Fortunately OptiMate produces a wide variety of cables and adaptors, including USB and DIN types, that can be plugged into an SAE socket, so gadgets can be powered on the move.

Like OptiMate’s entire range of connectors and cables, weatherproofing comes as standard: the O-40S has both an internal seal, to help keep moisture out when an SAE connector is plugged in, and a rubber cap to seal out the elements when not in use.

It’s also tested to -40°C/-40°F, so is safe to use year-round.

The OptiMate O-40S has a 6” (15cm) lead and fits an Ø18mm drilled hole. It retails at just £11.99 and is available from all authorised retailers and is covered by a 3-year warranty for complete peace of mind.

Visit www.optimate1.com for details, and see it in action here:





Accessories, Batteries, Battery Chargers, OptiMate

Dynamic Duo From Optimate

New for 2019, the OptiMate1 Duo takes battery charging and maintenance to the next level, automatically recognising whether a battery is lead acid or Lithium Ion, so the user can just plug-in and go.

Faced with a new or a recently acquired used bike, owners are often unaware of which type of battery their machine is fitted with – lead acid or the increasingly popular Lithium Ion (Li-ion).

Using the wrong charger with either type, but particularly Li-ion, can have catastrophic consequences, damaging the battery beyond repair over a relatively short period of time.

OptiMate 1 Duo uses the latest charging technology to automatically determine the type of battery is it connected to, and selects the charging programme to suit – so you don’t have to.

It’s ideal for owners of multiple machines too – no need for different chargers and no danger of attaching them to the wrong machine.

There’s no risk of over- or under-charging and the OptiMate1 Duo has built-in spark suppression, with automatic shut-down, if short-circuited or the battery is disconnected. The unique 24-7-365 programme means the user can just ‘connect and forget’.

It’s safe to use with all 12 volt lead-acid, filler cap and wet cell, sealed AGM (MF) or GEL; and 12.8/13.2V lithium (LiFePO4) batteries.

The OptiMate1 Duo retails for 42.99 including VAT – less than the price of most replacement batteries – and comes with everything needed to get connected.

Visit www.optimate1.com for details

Battery Chargers, OptiMate

Optimate Update Battery Leads

OptiMate have updated their O-01 battery connection leads, with the addition of two built-in mounting slots, so the external end of the lead can be fastened to the frame with a cable tie or Velcro, to prevent it flapping around when not in use.

Designed to attach to the battery terminals using 1/4″ M6 ringlets, the O-01 lead has an industry standard 2-pin SAE connector at the other end, that can be used to plug into OptiMate battery chargers, testers, monitors and accessory power devices.

A rubber sealing cap & shroud provide a weatherproof seal for the SAE connector, protecting it from water, dust and grime.

The 50cm long premium cable is rated for 5A continuous use (7A maximum) and is protected by a 15A fuse, for total peace of mind.

Designed by OptiMate, the O-01 Cable retails for £9.99 including VAT and is covered by a 3-year limited warranty.

For more information visit www.optimate1.com

Accessories, Battery Chargers, OptiMate

Solar Power For Bike Batteries

New from OptiMate, a solar charger that works by day and night.

OptiMate’s ground-breaking solar kits can save a ‘dead’ motorcycle battery and provide safe long term maintenance, using only the sun’s power – ideal for use in race paddocks, sheds and wherever vehicles are stored where there’s no access to a power point.

INTELLIGENT
OptiMate developed their modular solar kits using the latest intelligent charging technology, converting the low power from the solar panel during low sun or cloud cover, to the high current pulses needed for effective charging and maintenance of 12V batteries. When the sun is not obscured the controller will switch to direct power delivery, always choosing the fastest charge mode according to sunlight strength.

EFFICIENT
The most efficient charge method is automatically chosen, thanks to the TM-522 smart charger-controller: when the panel receives sun, the controller delivers power to the battery; when the sun goes down or is obscured, the monitor senses that no power is being delivered and changes into a battery monitor, indicating battery status every three seconds on its easy-to-read LED panel.

SAFE
Solar Kits are completely safe for use with all STD, AGM and GEL 12V batteries, from 2Ah–240Ah, and won’t overcharge or damage vehicle electronics. They’re also designed to be more effective than ‘traditional’ solar chargers, with current delivery that depends on how much sun reaches the panel and, on cloudy days, can even draw power from the battery, instead of charging it.

COMPLETE
Each kit includes a high intensity polycrystalline panel with a 2M power cable, an OptiMate O-01 weatherproof battery lead, set of OptiMate O-04 battery clips and the outdoor-rated OptiMate smart charger-controller (TM-522) with a 1M charge cable. The solar panel comes with pre-drilled corner mounts for easy wall or roof mounting. The panel, smart controller and battery lead are all weatherproof and have been tested to -20°C.

CHOICE
OptiMate Solar Modular Charge kits come in five versions: the 10W TM-522-1 (12V 0.8A max) is suitable for most motorcycles and retails for £104.99 including VAT.

The larger 20W TM-522-2 (12V 1.6A max) will charge most automotive 12V batteries and costs £136.99. If more power is needed, there are 40W, 60W (TM523-6) and even 80W kits, which include the higher power rated TM523 charger-monitor. All Solar kits are covered by a 3-year warranty for complete peace of mind.

Visit www.optimate1.com for details.

Battery Chargers, OptiMate

OptiMate Battery Monitors

OptiMate’s range of battery monitors provide an instant check of the charge in a motorcycle battery and will also confirm if the vehicle charging system is working correctly.

Their plug-and-play design avoids the need to remove seats or bodywork to attach a voltmeter, making them simple to attach and remove as required. OptiMate offers a choice of monitors that can be permanently connected to the battery, plugged into an SAE connector on bikes already fitted with battery charge leads or plugged into a 12V socket on the motorcycle.

Once attached, the battery’s charge level can be seen at-a-glance, on an easy-to-read LED display panel. The monitor also shows if the bike’s charging system is delivering the correct voltage while the bike is running too – ideal for a quick check before the morning commute, when touring or when the bike is parked/stored without the option to connect to an OptiMate charger.

Unlike app-based monitors, OptiMate Battery Monitors don’t rely on third party applications or devices, and draw almost zero power from the bike’s battery, (long term draw is less than 0.2mA).

Charging the battery or drawing power is also easy, because all OptiMate Monitors have an SAE port that can be connected to a battery charger lead. The port has a weatherproof cap to seal out water when not in use. OptiMate Monitors are available with different connection options:

  • O-124 come with M6 (1/4″) ringlets and 15 Amp protective fuse, for permanent connection to the battery (£20.99 inc VAT)
  • O-125 is the ‘plug and play’ SAE connector version, great for dealers or riders with multiple vehicles fitted with battery charge leads (£19.00 inc VAT)
  • O-126 connects to an always live 12V auto-cigar socket (£21.99 inc VAT)
  • The O-127 is the model for lithium batteries, with M6 (1/4″) ring terminals for permanent fitment to the battery. It has the added function of warning if /when the vehicle’s charge voltage is charging above 14.6V, which can damage lithium batteries (£20.99 inc VAT)

OptiMate battery monitors come with a 3-year limited warranty.

For details of the complete range of battery optimisers, monitors, USB connectors and accessories visit www.tecmate.com.

Batteries, Battery Chargers, OptiMate

OptiMate USB O-108 On-Bike Charger

Four out of five UK adults now have a smartphone* and with most devices offering music, turn-by-turn navigation as well as web connectivity, video recording, photos and communication, on-bike USB charging is fast becoming essential.

Finding a charger that can stand up to the rigours of the riding environment, while delivering the correct amount of charge, and without draining the motorcycle’s battery, isn’t straightforward, with many cables and ports falling short.

New to the OptiMate range, the USB O-108 delivers 3.3A – powerful enough even for the latest smartphones with USB-C charge connectors, and has built-in microprocessor controlled battery protection to prevent the motorcycle’s battery from being discharged.

Charging is limited to a maximum of three hours, and the O-108 USB automatically cuts charging to the USB device if the vehicle’s battery voltage drops below 12.3V (approximately 50% charge remaining in an AGM battery).

An easy-to-read LED display enables the user to see the vehicle charging system voltage at a glance.

Purpose-built for motorcycles, all OptiMate USB chargers are 100% true power rated, and deliver a continuous and consistent charge. They also come with a built-in Apple ‘handshake’, to guarantee iPhones and iPads charge at the appropriate maximum.
Weatherproofing comes as standard, to prevent moisture causing problems and guarding against any issues they may cause with the bike’s electrical system.

The OptiMate USB O-108 On-Bike Charger retails at £32,99 including VAT. For details of the complete range of OptiMate USB connectors, leads and accessories – as well as their battery optimisers – visit www.tecmate.com.

Notes: *Source – Deloitte Mobile Consumer Survey 2016: https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/mobile-consumer-survey.html

Battery Chargers, OptiMate

New OptiMate 4-1A Dual Program V3

Updated and improved for 2017, with more efficient power circuitry, a 1 Amp charge current and refinements in the software control, the OptiMate 4–1A Dual Program now offers even faster and more efficient charging and maintenance of 12V motorcycle batteries, including BMW bikes with a CAN bus electrical system.

Connected either direct to the bike’s battery, or through the 12V port on CAN bus-equipped bikes, OptiMate 4-1A’s Dual Program system automatically diagnoses, recovers, charges, tests and maintains 12V motorcycle batteries all year long.

Key-less activation gives completely safe and unsupervised charging on BMW CAN bus-equipped machines without any input from the user – or having to turn on the ignition to activate the charging process. The built-in LED display shows charge progress throughout.

Alongside normal maintenance and charging, a low voltage pulse function is also included for effective recovery of badly neglected, sulphated batteries. The OptiMate 4–1A can save a battery from as low as 0.5V. Pre- and post-charging testing informs the user of battery condition in an instant.

It’s safe to use with all types of lead-acid batteries – including Maintenance Free and GEL varieties – and features a tough, splash-proof case; ideal for use in garages, sheds, workshops and other demanding environments.

High frequency, fully electronic power conversion means it’s able to receive global 100 – 240V ac power, so it can be used outside the UK too.

Two models of the OptiMate 4-1A V3 are available – the standard model, which retails for £70.99 including VAT, and a dedicated BMW CAN bus edition, which sells for £77.99. For further information visit www.tecmate.com.