Optimate tecMATE TM-524 User manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
IMPORTANT: Read completely
before charging
MODE D’EMPLOI
IMPORTANT: à lire avant
d’utiliser l’appareil
ANWENDUNGSVORSCHRIFTEN
WICHTIG: Vollständig vor der
Benutzung lesen
GEBRUIKSAANWIJZING
BELANGRIJK: Lees volledig
voor gebruik
MODO DE EMPLEO
IMPORTANTE: a leer antes de
utilizar el aparato
INSTRUÇÕES DE UTILIZAÇÃO
IMPORTANTE: Ler antes de
utilizar.
ISTRUZIONI PER L’USO
IMPORTANTE: da leggere prima
di utilizzare l’apparecchio
INSTRUKTIONER
VIKTIGT: läs följande
fullständiga instruktioner
för användningen innan du
använder laddaren
+ -
solar
Opti
SOLAR
12V
CHARGE
4
SOLAR
12V
CHARGE
4
MODEL: TM-524 (O-140 Solar charger with 6W solar panel)
Automatic solar charge controller for lead-acid batteries
IN : 12V SOLAR PANEL 6W
OUT : O-140 solar charger: DC output voltage : 12V
DC output current : 2A rms, 10A pulse max.
Automatic solar charger for lead-acid batteries
including solar panel
1 x Solar charge controller charges 1 x Lead-Acid battery
Battery types: Flooded STD with liquid acid electrolyte /
removable filler caps
Sealed AGM-MF / GEL / CYCLIC CELL
MODEL: TM520 (O-140 kit); TM521 (O-141 kit); TM522 (O-142 kit).
Automatic solar charge controller for lead-acid batteries
IN : 12V SOLAR PANEL 2-15W
OUT : DC output current : 2A rms, 10A pulse max.
DC output voltage (by model) : O-140: 12V, O-141: 6V, O-142: 8V
Automatic solar charger for lead-acid batteries
Desulphates - charges - maintains

LED #1 LED #2
SOLAR
CHARGE
LED INDICATIONS
LED #1 ON
SOLAR OUTPUT OK
12V solar
2 - 15W
Volts min.
+
CHARGE
+
LED #1 FLASHING
SOLAR OUTPUT OK &
CHARGING
+
+
LED #2 FLASHING
BATTERY READY /
MAINTENANCE CHARGE

3
DO NOT USE FOR NiCd, NiMH, Li-Ion OR NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.
IMPORTANT: READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE CHARGER
This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and above and persons with
reduced physical,sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if
they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe
way and understand the hazards involved. Children shall not play with the appliance.
Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
SAFETY WARNING AND NOTES: Batteries emit EXPLOSIVE GASES - prevent flame or sparks near batteries. Disconnect
AC power supply before making or breaking DC/battery connections. Battery acid is highly corrosive. Wear protective clothing and eyewear and
avoid contact. In case of accidental contact, wash immediately with soap and water. Check that the battery posts are not loose; if so, have the
battery professionally assessed. If the battery posts are corroded, clean with a copper wire brush; if greasy or dirty clean with a rag damped in
detergent. Use the charger only if the input and output leads and connectors are in good, undamaged condition. If the input cable is
damaged, it is essential to have it replaced without delay by the manufacturer, his authorised
service agent or a qualified workshop, to avoid danger. Protect your charger from acid and acid fumes and from damp
and humid conditions both during use and in storage. Damage resulting from corrosion, oxidation or internal electrical short-circuiting is not
covered by warranty. Distance the charger from the battery during charging to avoid contamination by or exposure to acid or acidic vapours. If
using it in the horizontal orientation, place the charger on a hard, flat surface, but NOT on plastic, textile or leather. Use the fixing holes provided
in the enclosure base to attach the charger to any convenient, sound vertical surface.
EXPOSURE TO LIQUIDS: This charger is designed to withstand exposure to liquids accidentally spilled or splashed onto the
casing from above, or to light rainfall. Prolonged exposure to falling rain is inadvisable and longer service life will be obtained by minimizing
such exposure.Failure of the charger due to oxidation resulting from the eventual penetration of liquid into the electronic components,
connectors or plugs,is not covered by warranty.
BATTERY CONNECTIONS: 2 interchangeable connection sets are available, supplied with the charger is a set of battery clips for
charging the battery off-vehicle, the other connection set comes with metal eyelet lugs for permanent connection to the battery posts, and
re-sealable weatherproof cap on the connector that connects to the charger output cable. This connection set allows easy and sure
connection of the charger to maintain the battery on-vehicle. The resealable weatherproof cap is designed to protect the connector from dirt
and damp whenever the charger is not attached. Consult a professional service agent for assistance in attaching the metal eyelets to the
battery posts. Secure the connector with weatherproof cap so that it cannot foul any moving part of the vehicle or the cable can be pinched
or damaged by sharp edges. The in-line fuse in the eyelets connection set protects the battery against such accidental shorting across
positive and negative conductors. Replace any burnt fuse only with a similar new fuse of 15A rating.
CONNECTING THE CHARGER TO THE BATTERY
1. Disconnect solar panel before making or breaking DC / battery connections.
2. If charging a battery in the vehicle with the battery clips, before making connections, first check that the battery clips can be safely
and securely positioned clear from surrounding wiring, metal tubing or the chassis. Make connections in the following order:
First connect to the battery terminal not connected to the chassis (normally
positive), then connect the other battery clip (normally negative) to the chassis
well away from the battery and fuel line. Always disconnect in reverse sequence.
3. When charging a battery out of the vehicle with the battery clips, place it in a well ventilated area. Connect the charger to the battery:
RED clamp to POSITIVE (POS, P or +) terminal and BLACK clamp to NEGATIVE (NEG, N or –) terminal. Make sure the connections are
firm and secure. Good contact is important.
solar
Opti

4
4. If the battery is deeply discharged (and possibly sulphated), remove from the vehicle and inspect the battery before
connecting the charger for a recovery attempt.
Visually check the battery for mechanical defects such as a bulging or cracked
casing, or signs of electrolyte leakage. If the battery has filler caps and the plates within the cells can be seen from the outside, examine
the battery carefully to try to determine if any cells seem different to the others (for example, with white matter between the plates,
plates touching). If mechanical defects are apparent do not attempt to charge the battery, have the battery professionally assessed.
5. If the battery is new, before connecting the charger read the battery manufacturer’s safety and operational instructions carefully. If
applicable, carefully and exactly follow acid filling instructions.
All OptiMate SOLAR chargers (6, 8 and 12V models) operate from a SOLAR panel designed for the charging of 12V
batteries, with power rating between 2 Watt and 15 Watt maximum. OptiMate SOLAR regulates the voltage and current
to match the connected battery requirement. OptiMate SOLAR increases the effectiveness of charge by converting low
current delivered by the solar panel into higher pulse current.
For assistance in choosing a solar panel, see table 1 (illustration 1) and read NOTE 1 Choosing the right size of solar
panel.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
1. Connect OptiMate SOLAR to the solar panel. Make sure the polarity connections are correct. (See illustration 2) If the
voltage supplied by the solar panel is sufficient LED #1 (red) will light.
2. Connect OptiMate SOLAR to the battery. If the battery voltage is at least 1V or more at connection and the battery is
connected correctly, LED #1 should flash.
The faster LED #1 flashes the higher the current into the battery and the faster the battery will reach full charge. If
LED #1 flashes very slowly (every 2 seconds) the solar panel may be unable to deliver sufficient power OR the
battery is sulphated and cannot accept full charge current.
3. Recovery and Bulk charge mode:
3.1 Recovery: The unique pulse action of OptiMate SOLAR is able to recover a sulphated battery within 24 hours
to once again accept and hold charge. Some batteries may take longer to recover. See NOTES below about
how to speed up recovery.
3.2 Bulk: For a discharged battery in good condition (or a battery that has recovered from a sulphated state) LED
#1 (red) should flash between 2 to 15 times a second. OptiMate SOLAR will convert the low current delivered
by the solar panel to peak pulse current of 4–5A.
Charging will continue until the battery voltage reaches 14.1–14.4V (6V: 7–7.2V; 8V: 9.4–9.6V) where after the
program progresses to long-term maintenance mode.
4. Long term maintenance mode: When LED #2 (green) lights the battery is ready or has accepted as much charge
as its state of health allows.
When LED #2 (green) flashes OptiMate SOLAR is actively maintaining the battery at a safe level of 12.9 to 13.5V and
delivering current to any connected active circuitry or devices whilst keeping the battery full charged. Long term
maintenance charging continues as long as the solar panel delivers power. For more information on long term
maintenance charging, see NOTES below.
5. CHARGE REVERSION: If the battery voltage drops below 12.6V (6V: 6.3V; 8V: 8.4V) due to high current draw by
connected circuitry charging will revert to Bulk (#3.2).
INTERRUPTION OF POWER: If there is an interruption of power from the solar panel (night / insufficient sun)
charging will cease and the program resets. During this time OptiMate SOLAR will not draw any power from the
connected battery. As soon as power is restored charging will progress once more from BULK mode (#3.2). A fully
charged battery will reach long-term maintenance (#4) very quickly after each power interruption.
LED #1 LED #2
SOLAR
CHARGE
LED INDICATIONS

5
NOTES:
1. Choosing the right size of solar panel: 12V solar panels are rated according to the maximum output it is able to
deliver in direct and full sunlight to a fixed 12V load. Maximum power is rarely achieved; output can drop below
20% in indirect sunlight (e.g. cloud cover).
For effective long-term battery maintenance choose a panel that will deliver sufficient current to overcome the
parasitic draw of the vehicle circuitry (such as alarm, clock, engine control unit) and return charge lost overnight.
Typical parasitic drain: 10-20mA for a motorcycle / power sport vehicle and 30-50mA for a car or pick-up truck
fitted with a 12V battery.
2. Speed up recovery of a neglected battery – Use an OptiMate 3, 4, 5 or 6 that connects directly to AC power to
recover the battery. Find the appropriate OptiMate charger at www.optimate1.com
3. Test a battery – Find the appropriate OptiMate tester at www.optimate1.com
4. The OptiMate SOLAR will maintain a battery whose basic condition is good, for months at a time. At least once
every two weeks, check that the connections between the charger and battery are secure, and, in the case of
batteries with filler caps on each cell, disconnect the battery from the charger, check the level of the electrolyte and
if necessary, top up the cells (with distilled water, NOT acid), then reconnect. When handling batteries or in their
vicinity, always take care to observe the SAFETY WARNINGS contained in this manual.
LIMITED WARRANTY
TecMate (International) SA, Sint-Truidensesteenweg 252, B-3300 Tienen, Belgium, makes this limited warranty to the original purchaser at
retail of this product. This limited warranty is not transferable. TecMate (International) warrants this battery charger for three years from date
of purchase at retail against defective material or workmanship. If such should occur the unit will be repaired or replaced at the option of the
manufacturer. It is the obligation of the purchaser to forward the unit together with proof of purchase (see NOTE), transportation or mailing
costs prepaid, to the manufacturer or its authorized representative. This limited warranty is void if the product is misused, subjected to
careless handling, or repaired by anyone other than the factory or its authorized representative. The manufacturer makes no warranty other
than this limited warranty and expressly excludes any implied warranty including any warranty for consequential damages.
THIS IS THE ONLY EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY AND THE MANUFACTURER NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANYONE TO ASSUME OR
MAKE ANY OTHER OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE PRODUCT OTHER THAN THIS EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY. YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS ARE
NOT AFFECTED.
NOTE: Details at www.tecmate.com/warranty.
copyright © 2014 TecMate International
OptiMate SOLAR and the names of other battery care products mentioned in these instructions such as BatteryMate, TestMateand TestMate
mini, are registered trademarks of TecMate International NV.
WARRANTY in Canada, USA, Central America & South America:
TecMate North America, Oakville, ON, Canada, as a wholy owned subsidiary of TecMate International, assumes the responsibility for product
warranty in these regions.
More information on TecMate products can be found at www.tecmate.com.