My Optimate has died

[jimbo]

Having splashed out a couple of years ago on a decent charger (optimate), I'm a bit niggled that having hardly used it, it appears knackered.

All the lights work and come on, but when connected to a battery, it doesn't increase the voltage at all. 5.5 V on an old battery and 12.5 v on the GS.

Anything I can try, or is it bin and buy another?

 

[Greg Masters]

Why do you think that it has died? Putting a voltmeter across the output has probably confused it.

Here's the charging algorithm:

Greg

 

[jimbo]

I have only measured the voltage when connected to a battery, not on open circuit.
The battery voltage didn't increase when the charger was connected.

 

[Greg Masters]

Notes on above:
1) in recovery stage, the circuit offers the battery a fixed current of 200ma and checks the resultant voltage. If the battery is deep-discharged (sulfated), the voltage exceeds 13.9v. The circuit resets the voltage limit at +/- 20v, while continuing to try to deliver a fixed 200ma. If & when the battery accepts this current the voltage will gradually reduce and when it reduces below 13.9v the voltage limit is reset at 14.3v for the bulk charge stage. For a battery which is not sulfated the circuit proceeds immediately to bulk charge.

2) if the recovery action was not successful after 2 hours, the circuit goes automatically into the bulk charge stage. The bulk charge stage terminates when the constant current causes the voltage to rise to 14.3v.

3) to complete the verification stage, the battery may not draw more than 200ma within 30 minutes of the end of the bulk charge stage, and, the actual voltage may not reduce by more than 300mv below the 13.6v float voltage setting.

If either event should occur, the circuit reverts to bulk charge until the limit of 14.3v is reached again, whereupon the timer resets to zero, and another timed float stage commences.

4) when 30 minutes have passed without a reversion to the bulk charge stage, the circuit pauses for 30 minutes to check for self-discharge. No current is offered during this period. The voltage is monitored. If this falls below 12.3v the red “weak battery” warning led indicates. Otherwise, the green “good battery” led indicates.

5) the cycle of 30 minutes pause for self-discharge check and then 30 minutes float charge, continues until the Optimate is disconnected

 

[Greg Masters]

I have only measured the voltage when connected to a battery, not on open circuit.
The battery voltage didn't increase when the charger was connected.

Connecting a voltmeter changed the resistance of the circuit. Really poor voltmeters are as low as 200Ω per volt (although digital units should be higher).

This may upset the Optimate.

When you hook up the unit to a battery and leave it on for, say, 24 hours, does the light sequence go through a 'normal' cycle ie red (sulphated; charging, float charging)?

Greg

 

[jimbo]

Thanks,
I haven't tried a full 24 hours. Slightly nervous about leaving electrical items of which I am unsure on whilst the house is empty.

I'll do some more experimenting tonight.

 

[Greg Masters]

Thanks,
I haven't tried a full 24 hours. Slightly nervous about leaving electrical items of which I am unsure on whilst the house is empty.

I understand that (and regularly go round the Masters' Household switching off items that don't need to be on when unattended).

But the Optimate is designed to be left on for long periods. I don't use my GS very often and the Optimate is left switched on and hooked up to the bike for months at a time. Just ensure that the Optimate is well ventilated. I use the optional wall bracket.

FWIW, my GS has just turned 7 years old and is still on its original battery which still performs well thanks to the Optimate.

Greg

 

[Andy Davies]

Greg - As you seem to be adopting the role of Optimate guru, here's another one.

I've had my Optimate for three years - been fine up until a week ago. When checking the bike, I noticed a nasty red light illuminated. So I switched it off and back on again to restart the algorithm. Now the thing will not go into 'maintenance mode' (I left it for three days to see). However, the battery appears to be fully charged. 12.8v without the charger on 13.8v to 14.3v connected. The bike (1200) starts without any problems. I gave it a 200 mile run last week and following that, still the green light stays out with the orange light persistent.
Any thoughts?

Andy

 

[Greg Masters]

Greg - As you seem to be adopting the role of Optimate guru, here's another one.

I've had my Optimate for three years - been fine up until a week ago. When checking the bike, I noticed a nasty red light illuminated. So I switched it off and back on again to restart the algorithm. Now the thing will not go into 'maintenance mode' (I left it for three days to see). However, the battery appears to be fully charged. 12.8v without the charger on 13.8v to 14.3v connected. The bike (1200) starts without any problems. I gave it a 200 mile run last week and following that, still the green light stays out with the orange light persistent.
Any thoughts?

Andy

I'm no Optimate guru - believe me!

But I think that the biggest mistake people make is to keep disconnecting them!

Plug it in, hook it up to the bike and don't touch it again until you want to ride the bike.

I've had the red desulphate light on for a couple of days before now. Leave it; it'll sort itself out.

Greg

 

[harry]

o'mate red light staying on

had this problem recently, check your bike socket inside for broken pins or corrosion.

 

[Yoda]

had this problem recently, check your bike socket inside for broken pins or corrosion.

+1 for duff contact.

Mine will go into the red if I've got water in the socket etc.

 

[Andy Davies]

Greg - As you seem to be adopting the role of Optimate guru, here's another one.

I've had my Optimate for three years - been fine up until a week ago. When checking the bike, I noticed a nasty red light illuminated. So I switched it off and back on again to restart the algorithm. Now the thing will not go into 'maintenance mode' (I left it for three days to see). However, the battery appears to be fully charged. 12.8v without the charger on 13.8v to 14.3v connected. The bike (1200) starts without any problems. I gave it a 200 mile run last week and following that, still the green light stays out with the orange light persistent.
Any thoughts?

Andy

My Optimate, in a Lazarus like fashion, is alive!

I got in touch with Optimate and gleaned the following information:

"P1 is the reference circuit. Set this so that the highest voltage at the end of bulk is ideally at 14.3V (14.2 – 14.4 are fine). This sets all the voltages parameters barring float voltage.

P2 trims the float voltage only. Set at 13.6V – this can be done during verification but will need checking for float charge (when the green battery good LED lights up)

I normally use a volt meter and ammeter to set these as this gives a good indication of charge stage and battery saturation – verification stage continues until battery voltage and current remain stable for 30 mins ie voltage remains at 13.3V – 13.6V and current below 200mA.

When adjusting mark off or note the initial point then rotate the pot to both extremities a couple of times, this will remove any oxidisation on the plates. More often than not the charger works as normal when the pot is returned to its original position."

So, following the instructions above, I twiddled P2 and set it to read 13.6v. Lo and behold, the charger now goes into maintenance mode and the need for replacement removed.

Saved £35 - Result

I thought this may be of use to others!

Andy

 

[Mouse]

Funny how these things happen, my Optimate is playing up too, similar problems to those Andy was having. So thanks for the info, I shall try fiddling with it this evening

 

[zerocool]

Aside from all the techno wizardry, ive heard of 2 people whos optimates suffered from the usual dampness that you get in a garage from bringing in your wet bike etc. The thing had just shorted out and wouldnt charge. So it could be that its just buggered!

the ZC

 

[tufty1909]

I've had the red desulphate light on for a couple of days before now. Leave it; it'll sort itself out.

Quite right it will still keep charging. Also an alarm draining the battery can cause the red light to illuminate but again no need to worry.