OptiMATE TM360 Automatic Charger for 12V Lead-Acid Batteries Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- OptiMATE
Table of Contents
MODEL : TM360, TM361, TM362, TM367, TM368
∼ AC: 100 – 240V∼ 50-60Hz
0.36A @ 240V / 0.92A @ 100V
DC: 72W 12V 6A
Thermally adjusted
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
TM360 Automatic Charger for 12V Lead-Acid Batteries
IMPORTANT: Read completely before charging
1 x 12V
STD / AGM-MF / GEL
3 – 144Ah (max. Ah rating based on 24 hour charge).
- Automatic charger for 12V lead-acid batteries
- Chargeur automatique pour batteries 12V plomb-acide
LEDs
SOC% / State Of Charge %
O-11 permanent battery lead – charge battery in the vehicle
Adjust ring size
Ø M8 (5/16″) or / o / of ou / order Ø M10 (3/8″)
O-04 clips (battery clamps) – charge battery out of the vehicle
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANADA & USA
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. THIS PORTION OF THE MANUAL CONTAINS IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE OPTIMATE 6 BATTERY CHARGER. IT IS OF THE UTMOST
IMPORTANCE THAT EACH TIME, BEFORE USING THE CHARGER, YOU READ AND EXACTLY
FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
Automatic charger for 12V lead-acid batteries. DO NOT USE FOR NiCd, NiMH, Li-
Ion, OR NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.
-
CAUTION : DO NOT CONNECT TO GROUND.
-
Do not expose the charger to rain or snow.
-
Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the battery charger manufacturer may result in a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
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To reduce the risk of damage to the electric plug and cord, pull by plug rather than cord when disconnecting the charger.
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An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Use of improper extension cords could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If an extension cord must be used make sure that :
a) pins on the plug of the extension cord are the same number, size, and shape as those of the plug on the charger.
b) the extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition, and
c) the conductor wire size is large enough for the AC ampere rating of the charger as specified in the table below. -
Do not operate the charger with a damaged cord or plug – replace the cord or plug immediately.
-
Do not operate the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualified serviceman.
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Do not disassemble the charger; take it to a qualified serviceman when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.
-
To reduce the risk of electric shock, unplug the charger from the outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.
Turning off controls will not reduce this risk. Clean only with a slightly moist, not wet, cloth. Do not use solvents.
WARNING – RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES.
a) WORKING IN the VICINITY OF A LEAD-ACID BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES
DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EACH TIME YOU USE THE CHARGER.
b) To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by the battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in vicinity of the battery. Review cautionary marking on these products and on engine.
PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS.
a) Someone should be within range of your voice OR close enough to come to
your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
b) Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts
skin, clothing or eyes.
c) Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes
while working near the battery.
d) If battery acid contacts or enters the eye, flood the eye with cold running
water for at least 10 minutes and get medical attention immediately. If
battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water.
If acid enters an eye, immediately flood the eye with running cold water for
at least 10 minutes and get medical attention immediately.
e) NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of the battery or
engine.
f) Be extra cautious to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool onto the
battery. It might spark or short-circuit battery or another electrical part
that may cause an explosion.
g) Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and
watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce
a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal,
causing a severe burn.
i) NEVER charge a frozen battery.
PREPARING TO CHARGE
a) If necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to charge, always
remove the grounded terminal from the battery first.
Make sure all accessories in the vehicle are off, so as not to cause an arc.
b) Be sure the area around the battery is well-ventilated while the battery is
being charged. Gas can be forcefully blown away by using a piece of cardboard
or other non-metallic material as a fan.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANADA & USA (cont.)
c) Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in
contact with your eyes.
d) Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches the level
specified by the battery manufacturer. This helps purge excessive gas from
cells. Do not overfill. For a battery without cell caps, such as valve-
regulated lead acid (VRLA) or absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries, carefully
follow the manufacturer’s recharging instructions.
e) Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions such as removing or
not removing cell caps while charging and recommended rates of charge.
f) Determine the voltage of the battery by referring to the vehicle or battery
user’s manual and BEFORE MAKING
THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS, MAKE SURE THAT THE VOLTAGE OF THE BATTERY YOU ARE
GOING TO CHARGE MATCHES THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF THE CHARGER.
CHARGER LOCATION.
a) Locate the charger as far away from the battery as DC cables permit.
b) Never place the charger directly above the battery being charged; gases
from the battery will corrode and damage the charger.
c) Never allow battery acid to drip on the charger when reading gravity or
filling the battery. Do not operate the charger in a closed-in area or
restrict ventilation in any way.
d) Do not set a battery on top of the charger.
IMPORTANT: Place the charger on a hard flat surface or mount it onto a
vertical surface. Do not place on plastic, leather, or textile surface.
DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS
a) Connect and disconnect DC output clips only after setting any charger
switches to the off position and removing the AC cord from the electric
outlet. Never allow clips to touch each other, however, should this happen no
damage will result to the charger circuit & the automatic charging program
will just reset to «start».
b) Attach clips to battery and chassis as indicated in 15(e), 15(f), and 16(b)
through 16(d).
NOTE : This battery charger has an automatic safety feature that will
prevent it from operating if the
battery has been inversely connected. Set the charger switches to the off
position and/or remove the AC cord from an electrical outlet, disconnect the
battery clips, then reconnect correctly according to the instructions below.
15. FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN THE BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. A
SPARK NEAR A BATTERY MAY CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A
SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY :
a) Position AC and DC cords so as to reduce the risk of damage by the hood,
door, or moving engine part.
b) Stay clear of fan -blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts that can cause
injury to persons.
c) Check the polarity of battery posts.POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post
usually has a larger diameter than a NEGATIVE (NEG, N,–) post.
d) Determine which post of the battery is grounded (connected) to the chassis.
If the negative post is grounded to the chassis (as in most vehicles), see
(e). If the positive post is grounded to the chassis, see (f).
e) For a negative-grounded vehicle, connect the POSITIVE (RED) clip from the
battery charger to the POSITIVE (POS, P, + ) ungrounded post of the battery.
Connect NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from
the battery. Do not connect the clip to the carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-
metal body parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine
block.
f) For a positive-grounded vehicle, connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip from the
battery charger to the NEGATIVE (NEG. N, -) ungrounded post of the battery.
Connect POSITIVE (RED) clip to vehicle chassis or engine block away from the
battery.
Do not connect the clip to the carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet-metal body
parts. Connect to a heavy gauge metal part of the frame or engine block.
g) When disconnecting the charger, turn the switches off, disconnect the AC
cord, remove the clip from the vehicle chassis, and then remove a clip from
the battery terminal.
h) See operating instructions for length of charge information.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN BATTERY IS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A SPARK NEAR THE
BATTERY MAY CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE
BATTERY :
a) Check the polarity of battery posts. POSITIVE (POS, P, +) battery post
usually has a larger diameter than a NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -) post.
b) This battery charger has an automatic safety feature that will prevent it
from operating if the battery has been inversely connected. The charger does
not allow charge current unless a voltage of at least 2V is sensed.
c) Connect the POSITIVE (RED) charger clip to the POSITIVE (POS, P, +) post of
the battery.
d) Connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) charger clip to the NEGATIVE (NEG, N, -)
battery post of the battery.
e) Do not face the battery when making the final connection.
f) When disconnecting the charger, always do so in the reverse sequence of
connecting procedure & break the first connection while as far away from the
battery as practical.
g) A marine (boat) battery must be removed & charged on shore. Charging it on
board requires equipment specially designed for marine use.
AUTOMATIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER FOR 12V LEAD-ACID BATTERIES.
DO NOT USE FOR NiCd, NiMH, Li-Ion, OR NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.
IMPORTANT: READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE CHARGER.
**** FOR USERS IN CANADA and the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, ALSO
READ THE ADDITIONAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGES 3 & 4.
This appliance can be used by children aged 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 the
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 the 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 them with a copper wire brush; if greasy or dirty
clean them 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 authorized 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
vapors. 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.
CONNECTING THE CHARGER TO THE BATTERY
- Disconnect AC power supply before making or breaking DC/battery connections.
- 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.
- 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.
- If the battery is deeply discharged (and possibly sulfated), remove it 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 from the others (for example, with the white matter between the plates, and plates touching). If mechanical defects are apparent do not attempt to charge the battery, have the battery professionally assessed.
- 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.
PROCEEDING TO CHARGE:
CHARGING TIME: Charge time on a flat but otherwise undamaged battery: a
battery rated at 60Ah (e.g. battery of a medium-sized car) should take no more
than about 12 hours to progress to the self-discharge check (STEP 8). Deep-
discharged batteries may take significantly longer. The ampmatic™ CHARGE
program automatically adjusts the charge current lower for smaller batteries
e.g. motorcycle batteries.
ºt : The charge voltage is inversely regulated according to ambient
temperature i.e. voltage is increased at lower temperature, decreased at
higher temperature. Adjustment: -0.004V / cell / °C above or below 20°C
(68°F).
STEP 1|
Low Volt START –
Bat ≥ 0.5V| LED #1
Confirms AC power supply to the charger
| OptiMate 6 automatically activates and will proceed to STEP 3 if the
connected battery voltage is at least 0.5 Volt.
If AC power is interrupted while the battery remains connected the charging
program will restart from STEP 3.
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STEP 2
Protection| LED #2
No operation without user interaction.| REVERSE POLARITY /
incorrect battery connection: The charger is electronically protected so no
damage will result, and the output will remain disabled until the connections
are corrected. Following correction charging automatically activates and will
proceed to STEP 3.
STEP 3
Preparing to charge
| Immediately following connection to a battery there may be a 1-2 second
delay before charging progress, during which time battery State Of
Charge (SOC %) and ambient temperature (°C / °F) are measured to determine
charge requirement and duration of the test in STEP 9.
STEP 4 & 5| LED #3 : RED
| The battery SAVE mode engages if the battery is less than 50% charged OR voltage is between 0.5 to 12.4 Volt. Charge time: 15min to 2hrs.
TURBO SAVE: The battery was diagnosed as sulfated, unable to accept or hold a charge – The current is limited to 0.4A, and voltage is allowed to rise towards 16V to check for active vehicle electronics, if detected, STEP 5 immediately engages. Otherwise, the voltage may briefly rise as high as 22V to overcome sulphation within the battery.
IMPORTANT: Read section VERY FLAT NEGLECTED BATTERIES below.
With voltage limited to 14.4V current is delivered in pulses to prepare the battery to accept normal charge and increase its state of charge towards 50%.
SAVE| **
State of**
charge:
|
STEP 4
less than 50%| TURBO SAVE
| STEP 5
| PULSE SAVE
STEP 6| LED #4 : BLUE| Engages if the battery state of charge is 50%
or higher or once the battery has been sufficiently recovered during STEP 5.
The ampmatic ™ charge current monitoring and control program
automatically determines the most efficient rate of charge current for the
connected battery, according to its state of charge, state of health, and
electrical storage capacity.
CHARGE
State of charge: 50% – 75%|
STEP 7
OPTIMIZE
(pulsed absorption / final charge) State of charge: 75% – 100%|
LED #5: BLUE **5
| Engages when the voltage has reached 14.4V for the first time during STEP 6.**
The ampmatic™ current control program now delivers pulses of current to
equalize the individual cells within the battery and optimize charge level.
Charge time during this step varies between 10 and 120 minutes, influenced by
initial battery State Of Charge and health as measured in STEP 3, and current
draw by connected circuitry.
For safety reasons, there is an overall charge time limit of 72 hours
for STEPS 4 to 7.
STEP 8
TEST after
CHARGE| LED #6 : GREEN
| TEST after charge: Delivery of current to the battery is interrupted for 30
minutes to allow the program to determine the battery’s ability to retain a
charge. IF charging started in SAVE mode (LED #3) the voltage retention
test is extended to 12 hours to confirm battery health. LED #6 (green) will
remain on for batteries able to hold 90% or higher state of charge (SOC%),
otherwise, the TEST result is adjusted lower in real-time according to the
measured battery voltage. Consult the table on page 2 to match the TEST LED
indication to an estimated state of charge percentage (SOC%). Also, read the
section “NOTES ON TEST RESULTS” below.
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STEP 9
OptiMATE
24-7
Maintain| LED #6 / 7 / 8
For batteries with a good state of health LED #6 (green) will remain on.
Exception: STD wet cell batteries with filler caps have a lower fully charged
voltage: LED #6 remains on together
with LED #7.| MAINTENANCE CHARGE: LED #6 / 7 / 8 steady on according to the
state of charge measured during STEP 8. Float voltage setting: 13.6V nominal
at 20°C (68°F) The float voltage is inversely regulated according to ambient
temperature; i.e., voltage is increased at lower temperature, decreased at
higher temperature. Adjustment: -0.004V / cell / °C above or below 20°C
(68°F). OptiMate 24-7 maintenance mode consists of 30-minute float charge
periods followed by and alternating with 30-minute ‘rest’ periods, during
which there is no charge delivered. This “50% duty cycle” prevents loss of
electrolytes in sealed batteries and minimizes the gradual loss of water from
the electrolyte in batteries with filler caps, optimizing the service life of
irregularly or seasonally used batteries. During “float charge” a continuous
LOW CURRENT PULSE IS DELIVERED TO PREVENT SULFATION, further extending battery
power and life. If the OptiMate senses the battery has suddenly lost charge
the program will revert back to STEP 7.
VERY FLAT NEGLECTED BATTERIES: If the battery is deeply discharged (and
possibly sulfated), remove it from the vehicle or equipment and inspect the
battery before connecting the charger for a recovery attempt.
The charger’s TURBO recovery mode cannot engage if it senses that the battery
is still connected to a circuit that effectively offers lower electrical
resistance than the battery on its own. However, if the deep-discharged
battery is not removed for recovery, neither the battery nor the vehicle or
equipment electronics will be damaged. Pay particularly close attention to the
following A battery left deep-discharged for an extended period may develop
permanent damage in one or more cells. Such batteries may heat up excessively
during high-current charging. Monitor the battery temperature during the first
hour, then hourly thereafter. Check for unusual signs, such as bubbling or
leaking electrolytes, heightened activity in one cell compared to others, or
hissing sounds. If at any time the battery is uncomfortably hot to touch or
you notice any unusual signs, DISCONNECT THE CHARGER IMMEDIATELY.
MAINTAINING A BATTERY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS: For accurate temperature-regulated
charging and long-term maintenance place OptiMate as close as possible to the
battery under charge. For example, if the battery is within a vehicle or craft
stored outside in direct sun or cold, place the OptiMate inside the vehicle or
craft (or its battery compartment) so that the charge voltage can be adjusted
according to the same environment the temperature that the battery would
experience.
The OptiMate 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, and 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 above.
NOTES ON TEST RESULTS: The voltage of a cooled battery is directly proportional to its State Of Charge percentage (SOC%). Immediately following charging a battery may briefly hold a higher voltage, as charging raises the temperature of chemical elements within the battery. A battery recovered from a deeply discharged state may need longer to cool and voltage to settle and reflect its true state of charge (SOC%).
- For any test result other than green #6 (or green #6 and yellow #7 together if the battery is an STD type with filler caps), disconnect the battery from the electrical system it supports, and reconnect the OptiMate. If a better test result is now obtained, this suggests that the power losses are partly due to an electrical problem in the electrical system and not in the battery itself.
- If the red LED #8 alone, or the yellow #7 & red LED #8 indicate together, or the yellow #7 LED alone for a sealed battery, a significant problem exists. The battery is unable to retain sufficient charge or is losing charge very fast due to connected circuitry. A sudden load being switched on while the charger is connected can also cause the battery voltage to dip significantly.
- GOOD TEST RESULT, but the battery cannot deliver sufficient power: the battery is worn, and its capacity has reduced. Degraded inter-cell connections or poor external connection at battery posts may cause severe voltage drop when high current is demanded from the battery. Check external battery connections or have battery professionally assessed (load tested).
ECO POWER SAVING MODE WHEN THE CHARGER IS CONNECTED TO AC SUPPLY:
The power converter switches to ECO mode when the charger is not connected to
a battery resulting in a very low power draw of less than 0.5W, equivalent to
a power consumption of 0.012 kWh per day. When a battery is connected to the
charger power consumption depends on the current demand of the battery and its
connected vehicle / electronic circuitry. After the battery has been charged
and the charger is in long-term maintenance charge mode (to keep the battery
at 100% charge) the total power consumption is estimated to be 0.024kWh or
less per day.
LIMITED WARRANTY
TecMate (International) SA, B-3300 Tienen, Belgium, offers 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 the 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 are 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.
WARRANTY in Canada, USA, Central America, and South America:
TecMate North America, Oakville, ON, Canada, as a wholly 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.
Documents / Resources
|
OptiMATE TM360 Automatic Charger for 12V Lead-Acid
Batteries
[pdf] Instruction Manual
TM360, TM361, TM362, TM367, TM368, Automatic Charger for 12V Lead-Acid
Batteries, TM360 Automatic Charger for 12V Lead-Acid Batteries, Lead-Acid
Batteries, Batteries
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References
- Home - OptiMate
- TecMate – High Performance Battery Chargers, Tools & Accessories
- Service and Warranty – TecMate
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