michaeljclark Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 POBC For reasons I shan't go into (cos it will make me cross) I need a battery conditioner. There seem to be the Optimate camp and the CTEK camp here on BlatChat. Are there any gotchas I need to be aware of? I need the "device" to be able to cope with the exisiting Banner on the se7en (which will most likely be replaced by a PowerVamp, following yesterdays "issues") and the 85Ah beastie that is sitting in the Diesel Tin Top. The Optimate 4 (according to it's instructions, tops out at 50Ah in maintenance mode) which I guess leaves me with the CTEK, but the CTEK site implies that the XS7000 is Lead Acid only where as the XS4003 will cope with Gel based batteries, but it doens't mention Reconditioning, sulphated battery recovery etc etc - I don't really want a device per car (the "financial" director may not be too impressed) Anyone offer any wise words of help? Cheers Mike 07 Plated RoadSport SV 150 in Red with Black nose band and stripe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Fox Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 I have a couple of Optimate 4s that work well on various motorcycle and van batteries (some bigger than 50Ahr). They stubbornly refuse to work with the Varley Red Top on the Caterham however, which I assume is a gel battery, so may not be suitable for you application. Full time class 4 Zetec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 interesting hadn't noticed that (gel battery), I was looking at the 7000 a few weeks ago and it didn't mention sulphated battery recovery (seems to now) so I gave them a bell on 01353 789800 the guy on the other end of the line seemed to be quite knowledgeable, may be worth a call to clarify Tim CSR 200 Aztec and Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 My Optimate isn't designed for big capacity batteries. Never have any issues with the tin top (where is the cursed kiss of death icon) battery, but the Seven lives on the Optimate all the time it sits in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted October 7, 2010 Support Team Share Posted October 7, 2010 The makers of Optimate also make Accumate conditioners which are designed for larger capacity batteries. You can buy them direct from the manufacturer here. hi Nigel - Red Top Batteries are "Absorbed acid" batteries not Gel. They are very much like a conventional battery but the acid is absorbed into glass mat within the battery casing. I am surprised you have a problem as my Optimate has worked well with my Red Top for years. Yellow SL #32 - member of Drowned Rat Racing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 and the 85Ah beastie that is sitting in the Diesel Tin Top What do you want to do with that? If you mean charge it when you've left the lights on or something, then the Optimate will be useless. Its maximum output is 0.6A, you'll be there for a long time. The CTEK 4003 can charge at 4A which is much more usable for charging, rather than simply for maintenance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeljclark Posted October 7, 2010 Author Share Posted October 7, 2010 Roger As I mentioned in my original post I've guessed that there was little point in the Optimate for the Tin Top becuase of the size of battery. I was trying to get the thoughts from POBC before I went ahead and purchased and then found it didn't quite match expectations! If I have to get 2 bits of kit I will 😬 07 Plated RoadSport SV 150 in Red with Black nose band and stripe Edited by - michaeljclark on 7 Oct 2010 10:24:51 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Fox Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Thanks for that Sean, I put it down to them being incompatible, I'll get the Fluke out and do a bit more investigation. Full time class 4 Zetec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racing Snake Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 My Optimate4 works on my 7 Powervamp and the large acid battery in my Vito no problem Its so good i got another Mad Hatter The Dura Mentalist 😬 Carl @ Penn 7's Caution - May Contain Nuts ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 I would for an Accumate for a car battery. It has a larger charging current than the optimate. it also does gel batteries. I now use a CTek 3600 on the 7, and the accumate is now used on the garden Tractor. Only dead fish go with the flow....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 So - for those who use OptiMate, how do you wire it in to the car???? Use a cigerette lighter socket (or similar) - or just leave a flying lead lying around. Just that I would prefer not to have to remove the bonnet and clip onto the battery terminals as the garage is small and it is highly likely that the bonnet would get damaged one day. Cheers, Graham ------ Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 12V socket (lighter socket) permanently wired across the battery terminals with an in-line fuse in the +ve lead. Got a socket in a box for about £6 from a caravan shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeljclark Posted October 7, 2010 Author Share Posted October 7, 2010 Just phoned Opti/Accumate Ordered a OptiMate 4 for the "Little Fella" and an AccuMate for the "Big Fella" Interstingly they now have an OptiMate 6 that has all the functions of a 4 but with the [Jeremy Clarkson]POWER[/Jeremy Clarkson] of the AccuMate, about the same cost as getting the two, so I just got the two as the Jag never gets that flat. 07 Plated RoadSport SV 150 in Red with Black nose band and stripe Edited by - michaeljclark on 7 Oct 2010 12:23:00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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