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.
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
