OPTIMATE’S CHARGER GETS A BOOST

JUST AS HOOVER has become the eponymous word for a vacuum cleaner, OptiMate is a brand name that among motorcyclists has become a generic term for a battery charger.

The latest model, the OptiMate 5 Select will save, charge and maintain all 6V and 12V leadacid, AGM and Gel batteries for motorcycles, cars and vans, as well as recreational vehicles, like golf buggies and ride-on mowers.

Connect the OptiMate 5 to the battery, select the appropriate voltage and it does the rest. If you accidentally choose the wrong voltage, the OptiMate will ask you to check before starting. Once confirmed, it will start diagnosing, recovering, charging, checking and maintaining completely automatically. There’s no risk of over- or under-charging and the OptiMate5 Select has built-in spark suppression, with automatic shut-down, if short-circuited or the battery is disconnected.

It can be left attached for long periods, ideal for winter lay-up and for vehicles only used occasionally. It’s also waterproof and tested for use at temperatures down to -40°C, so can be used outside. It will recover a battery from deep discharge, as low as 0.5 volts.

It comes with two interchangeable SAE connection sets, one with clamps for bench charging, the other with in-line protection fuse and eyelet terminals, for permanent connection to the vehicle’s battery.

Optional accessories include additional fused permanent connection leads; cigarette lighter plug leads to charge via the DIN socket as found on some BMW, Honda and Triumph motorcycles, 1.8m and 4.6m extension leads, and weatherproof sockets to provide a convenient 12V supply for on-board devices. The OptiMate 5 Select costs £89.99. www.optimate

1.com.