This OptiMate Lithium battery charger is designed to charge LFP or Lithium Ferrous Phosphate
starter batteries with: 4 cells in series, with a nominal voltage of 12.8 Volts, OR with
5 cells in series, with a nominal voltage of 16V.
Some battery manufacturers display different voltage ratings and basic battery chemistry
symbols on the battery.
12.8V 4-cell LFP batteries may be marked as Lithium, Li-Ion or LiFePO4, with alternate
voltage of 12V or 13.2 Volts, but if used in a 12 Volt vehicle system it can be charged
safely with this OptiMate Lithium battery charger.
16V 5-cell LFP batteries may also be marked as Lithium, Li-Ion or LiFePO4, but if used
to power the total loss ignition system of a drag racing or short track racing vehicle,
it can be charged with this OptiMate Lithium battery charger.
This OptiMate Lithium includes the following features:
There is a selectable charge voltage of 12.8V or 16V, with built in safety to prevent charging
if the battery voltage does not match.
There is a 10-step automatic charging algorithm that: recovers deep discharged batteries from
as low as 0.5V; it performs a state of health test; completes charging; and delivers 24-7
maintenance charge when necessary.
During charging the Ampmatic program automatically adjusts charge current to match the battery's size and condition.
A bigger battery gets more, a smaller battery gets less.
And there is a manual BMS reset - that re-activates an advanced lithium battery so it can once
again receive charge, or 'wakes up' a new battery delivered in transit protected sleep mode.
The enclosure is fully sealed and can be wall mounted.
The power cable and plug fit the AC socket in your region, but it can accept voltage
ranging from 100 to 240V.
The charge cable connects to the battery with these included accessories.
The O-11 battery lead creates a quick connect charging point directly on the battery.
The dual rings can be adjusted to fit different sized battery posts.
The control panel includes a selection button and LED indicators.
Lamp 1a or 1b indicate charge voltage selection, and the selected charge voltage indicator
lights when OptiMate Lithium is connected to AC power.
To select the alternate charge voltage; with battery disconnected, press and release the button.
The newly selected voltage remains in memory even if AC power is disconnected.
The progression is the same for 12.8V or 16V batteries, only the voltage levels are different.
Now connect the battery to continue charging.
Charging progresses automatically and Lamp 3 lights for a deep discharged 12.8V battery
with a voltage of at least 0.5V, or for a discharged 16V battery with a voltage of at
least 15V, up to a charge level of 50%.
A deep discharged 16V battery with voltage between 0.5V and 15V, requires manual activation.
Push and hold the button for at least 3 seconds until the '16V' light turns full on together with lamp 3.
Manual activation is also required for a battery in sleep mode, or with deep discharge protection activated,
To start charging, press down on the button.
Lamp 3 will blink once a second as a reset pulse is delivered.
Lamp 3 turns full on when the battery's BMS has reset and it is accepting charge.
For a very flat battery down to zero volts SAVE mode can also be manually activated - press
down on the button for 10 seconds until LED #3 turns full on.
The deep discharged battery now receives a controlled low charge current while cell health is monitored.
Current slowly increases as the battery recovers, until it can receive normal charge once again.
Lamp 4 lights when charging has progressed from SAVE mode or the battery is at least
50% charged at first connection.
Lamp 5 lights when the charge level is 75% or higher.
Lamp 6 lights when the battery has reached full charge.
During the initial 30 minutes a test is performed, with the battery's voltage actively monitored.
For a battery recovered from deep discharge the test may be extended.
Lamps 6, 7 and/or 8 indicate the battery's ability to retain charge.
Lamp 6 will remain on for a healthy battery able to retain 90% or higher charge.
Lamps 7 and/or 8 will light for weaker batteries, or if the battery is losing charge fast due
to high current draw from the vehicle's circuitry.
The 24-7 maintenance program follows once the test concludes.
The battery's charge level is monitored and it will periodically receive maintenance charge
to keep the battery charged and healthy within the vehicle.
The OptiMate Lithium Select carries 4 different error codes:
Lamp 2 lights if a battery with voltage of 0.5V or higher is connected in reverse polarity.
Correct the connection before charging the battery.
Lamp 1b (indicating 16V) blinks and no charge is delivered, if a battery with voltage of
less than 15V is connected.
This low voltage protection prevents accidental charging of a 12.8V battery.
If the connected battery is rated at 16V, press and hold the button until charging proceeds.
Lamp 8 blinks rapidly and charging is interrupted if the ambient temperature is outside of the
safe charging temperature range for LFP batteries.
Lamp 8 blinks ALSO if during SAVE mode the charger detected a fault within the battery
or it could not hold sufficient charge during the final test, or perhaps the current draw
from the vehicle is higher than the charger can deliver.
OptiMate Lithium SELECT, the 'PRO' charger for Lithium LFP racing batteries.