OptiMate makes solar charging more efficientTecMate' have been researching 'off-grid' charging for years. The challenge they have been trying to meet is to overcome the inefficiency of traditional solar charging devices, while meeting riders' needs for a reliable source of 'off-grid' energy to maintain their vehicle batteries while still being able to know the condition of battery at all times during the charging cycle or during long term charge maintenance.
Solar chargers for 12V batteries have been available for some time now, yet many who have tried them have been disappointed by low power delivery and the lack of information during charging - this makes for a frustrating charging experience.
The primary problem is that efficient solar charging starts with unobstructed and direct sunlight onto the panel surface. However, even with 6-8 hours of perfect daily sunshine, power delivery is affected by the fixed position of the panel and in reality, very few days are perfect for solar unless you live in the Sahara desert!
On an even modestly cloudy day power delivery can drop to 20% or less, effectively reducing charge current below the level that will charge the battery and fail even to combat the current drain from the vehicle circuitry. Some 12V panels come with built in charge controllers, but they may use 2-3W of power just to operate, resulting in very little power reaching the battery.
Tecmate has now developed an OptiMate SOLAR charge controller that converts low constant solar energy into efficient pulses of energy that are more effective for battery charging. The principal is simple and critically, very accurately controlled. A high efficiency capacitor is 'filled' (charged) by the solar panel; once full it is then discharged into the battery by the OptiMate SOLAR controller's micro processor operated circuitry.
This occurs repeatedly, with the frequency of pulses being directly managed by the solar energy being delivered, with each pulse only being delivered once the current level is effective for battery charging and maintenance.
This process is highly efficient, the circuit needs around 4-8mA to control the power and indicate progress, resulting in almost all the delivered solar power being passed to the battery.
A 4-step program includes low-volt desulphation, pulse charge and safe long-term maintenance that is ideal for all lead-acid batteries, including motorcycle, automotive and marine.
A battery as low as 1V can be recovered and charged, after which the safe long term 'pulse' maintenance mode kicks-in to keep the battery 100 percent ready and, crucially, prevent sulphation from re-occuring. The program is also smart enough to check if the battery can continue with the lower-voltage maintenance mode when it strts to receive light again in the morning, rather than restarting the entire charging process again.
The company says that the OptiMate Solar controller is light and small enough to be located at the battery, even hanging directly off the fitted battery lead, instantly allowing full information access at a glance; information such as, whether there is sufficient sunlight / solar power to charge a battery, whether it is charging or maintaining the battery and how fast is it charging.
The TM-524 OptiMate SOLAR charge kit includes a 6W high quality solar panel that comes with a 2m / 6 1/2 ft output lead ending in an SAE connector. Add the OptiMate Charge controller and reach is expanded to 3m / 10ft between solar panel and battery. If you need to mount the panel further away, the reach can be extended with the O-3 or O-13 charge cable extenders.
For those who already own a 12V solar panel, adding OptiMate Solar charger kit will instantly improve the solar charge experience. The TM520 Solar charger kit works on 12V batteries and the TM521 Solar charger kit will convert a 12V solar panel into a 6V battery charger. Both kits are delivered with high grade durable cable accessories, including OptiMate's O-1 weatherproof battery lead and O-4 OptiMate battery clips - these connect directly to the OptiMate charge controller, as well as the O-27 polarity converter, just in case the solar panel's SAE connector is the wrong polarity.
Tecmate are continuing to develop the range, and say that further solar products will be added soon, including new high-power solar solutions.
www.tecmate-int.com