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Battery State and Charging Information
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Bryan Irons
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Bryan Irons
By Bryan Irons
I was once told “Smoke is built into electronics from the factory. Don’t let the smoke out!” Most of the time, I don’t have a problem “keeping the smoke in”. Battery charger electronics are different. I’ve blown up, melted down, and generally destroyed enough chargers that they are a standing order for birthday presents. So with my track record, I was a little hesitant at first with Optima’s Digital 1200 charger when it arrived.
Optima has been building AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) batteries for years, so the decision to build a unit to analyze, charge, maintain and condition their batteries makes sense. But these chargers will work on other AGM batteries as well as common 12 volt lead acid batteries.
The battery clamps are well built and include a light on the end to ensure you can see to make the proper connections. In the event you make a mistake, the charger will let you know with a “beep” and indicate what is wrong. This is handy for trying to charge a dead battery at night. The backlit display will also give you diagnostics information if something goes haywire.
After making the proper connections, starting the unit up is as easy as selecting the proper battery type on the illuminated front panel. The large display will show exactly what it is doing, and where in the process it is with an easy to read digital display. During the first step, a quick diagnostic check on the battery will be performed, and the charger will proceed in the best method to get your battery back up and running. This may include a “Soft Ramped Charge” for deeply depleted batteries, a normal charging sequence, a conditioning cycle, or a floating charge to ensure the battery is ready when you are.
For those of us who park our rig for a few months of the year, a quick connect port for maintaining a battery is built in. Cables with commonly found connectors and large ring terminals are included. This port is strictly for maintaining a battery, and every 30 days the charger will also recondition the battery to keep it running at its best.
The Digital 1200 comes with a few other niceties. A storage case for the clamps and cables keeps them from dragging on the ground and getting beat up. A 5 volt USB charger for your phone or other devices is also built in. And I really liked the sealed case and buttons to keep dirt debris from getting inside the unit. “Spark Free Technology” is another bonus, especially when you consider dealing with the flammable fluids and vapors under the hood of a vehicle.
Optima did its homework building this unit for the masses. A well built case that includes an easy to use interface, built in protection features and the latest in battery charging technology. Like the batteries Optima makes, I plan on keeping this charger for a long time to come.