attery manufacturers all recommend the same thing: For any chance at a long life a battery must be kept fully charged, especially during extended periods of non-use. How often does that happen? “Not often enough” is the unfortunate answer, and the result is a deeply discharged battery and battery sulfation, which can dramatically inhibit current flow and, left unchecked, ruin that battery. Is replacement the only answer? Not quite.      Let’s start with a quick overview of how batteries work. The active components of a battery are lead and sulfuric acid. To deliver electrical current the lead plates react with the acid, in the process the acid thins and separates into free floating sulfates and water. Sulfate crystals like to attach and form onto lead plates, which will inhibit current flow, but recharging the battery in good time reverses that chemical process before it becomes a reality. Neglecting to recharge, however, allows sulfation build up, which in turn increases electrical resistance. A point will be reached where a standard smart charger cannot deliver the current necessary to overcome the increased resistance.      That’s where the TecMate OptiMate3 comes in. The OptiMate3 isn’t a standard battery charger. It’s a true desulfater-charger, designed to desulfate and recharge neglected batteries. It works on all 12-Volt lead-acid batteries whether they’re a dry-charged MF type battery, a factory-sealed wet MF type, a conventional battery with filler caps, a sealed GEL-electrolyte battery or a VRLA battery. The OptiMate3 evaluates the battery’s condition and, if sulfation is detected, applies a cleansing charge of up to 20-Volts to force a controlled current through the plates. After successfully desulfating the battery the OptiMate3 automatically switches to its recharge mode and when recharging is complete, checks to see if the battery has retained a sufficient level of charge, indicating the result as either “Good” or “Weak.”      With the OptiMate3 on hand you’ll no longer have to throw away marginally sulfated batteries. The OptiMate3 is easy to use, too. It connects to the battery using either a plug-in weatherproof connector or interchangeable alligator clips, and besides desulfating a battery it’ll maintain that battery at full charge indefinitely, never over-charging it or damaging it in any way. Introduced in Europe, The OptiMate3 is now available here through Motion Pro and Parts Unlimited. Gas Gas, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Triumph and Yamaha have all become believers. You’ll be one, too. The retail price, including the quick-connect weatherproof battery cord and attachment clips, is $66.50. It’s in stock now, so call your Parts Unlimited rep today.

Parts Magazine
Volume 13 #4

Parts Magazine Index