Optimate 4 Dual Program 1A 22nd April 2017 CANbus suitable | Battery charger and saver ◄PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY► 
Optimate make some of the best battery chargers we've seen. In fact, we tested the Optimate 5 Voltmatic not so long ago, and we liked it plenty. The device now sits in the Sump garage for prolonged evaluation, and it gets used pretty much all the time. It's a simple, reliable and durable unit. Consequently, we've got few worries about introducing the Optimate 4 Dual Program 1A V3 charger. So what are the Dual Programs? Well, you can hook up the crocodile clips in the usual way and charge/top-up your battery as and when needed. Or if battery access is a problem, you can wire-in the included charging socket and locate that socket somewhere convenient. That's the first charging program. The second program is really aimed at later BMW motorcycles which have an on-board accessory socket. When you switch off the ignition, the BMW charging circuit will normally shut down. To counter this, this particular Optimate sends out a regular pulse that tells the battery to pay attention and stay awake. So, you park your BMW, plug in the Optimate (with the included lead via the accessory socket), and leave it to do its business. The system knows more about batteries than most of us ever will, and it will charge, maintain, and even recover batteries that are hanging on by a thread (but there must be a thread). It's also got an auto-shutdown feature in the event of a short circuit or similar problem. And note that unlike the Optimate 5 Voltmatic, this charger won't handle 6-volt batteries. It's 12-volt only. The price for the standard Optimate 4 Dual Program is around £70. For the BMW-ready version you'll pay another seven quid or so. And if you need more persuasion, the device carries a 3-year warranty. Sold? www.motohaus.com www.probike.co.uk ◄PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY► | 
