Optima Digital 400 vs Optima Digital 1200 - 12V Performance Battery Chargers and Maintainers
Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 are two intelligent 12V battery chargers and maintainers. They are intended not only for Optima AGM batteries but for both AGM and flooded cell lead acid batteries, with a capacity of up to 130 Ah.
Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 can charge, condition, and maintain 12V batteries and can even recover deeply discharged batteries - down to 1.25V per cell.
Updated: February 8, 2024.
Optima Digital 400 12V Performance Maintainer and Battery Charger
Optima Digital 400 features include interchangeable battery clamps, with the ring terminals providing either a permanent connection or a quick connection via alligator clamps. Also, it features a wall mount bracket, convenient on-unit cable storage, and a tilt stand.
Optima Digital 400 is designed to automatically maximize AGM and flooded/wet cell battery life and performance.
The unit features quick set, single touch control buttons, including the buttons for charging:
- Optima starting batteries (both automotive and marine),
- Optima deep cycle (both automotive and marine),
- smaller motorcycle and Powersports batteries,
- larger automotive and marine batteries.
Optima Digital 400 features LCD display for notifying the user about charging mode, status messages, faults, and errors. Also, the unit provides the user with the means to check the battery prior to charging - just be sure to turn the engine off (if present).
Additionally, Optima Digital 400 comes with spark-free technology, reverse polarity protection, over-temperature protection, and temperature charging compensation - the unit adjusts the output voltage according to the ambient temperature to protect the battery in low- and high-temperature conditions.
The maximum charging current of smaller batteries is 3 Amps, and the maximum charging current of larger batteries is 4 Amps, with a maximum charging voltage of up to 14.9 volts (~2.5 volts per cell).
The unit's physical dimensions are 7.1 x 3.9 x 2.7 inches (~18 x 10 x 7 cm).
Optima Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer
Optima Digital 1200 is very similar to Optima Digital 400 battery charger/maintainer, but it also features:
- 5 watts USB charging port,
- 12 Amps maximum charging current,
- audio fault alarm for notifying the user about battery/charging fault and/or improper connection conditions.
Optima 1200 physical dimensions are 10 x 7.5 x 6.5 inches (~25,4 x 19,1 x 16.5 cm) and it weighs 4.8 pounds (~2.2 kg).
Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 Charging Modes
Both Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 use the same six fully automatic charging modes:
- Mode 1: The charger analyzes the battery for its state of charge and connection. If the connection is reversed, the user is notified about it.
- Mode 2: If the battery charge is very low, the charger starts with a soft ramp charging-controlled current. If the battery is not deeply discharged, the battery charger skips this charging phase.
- Mode 3: fast bulk charging mode for moderately discharged batteries.
- Mode 4: conditioning charging mode for battery conditioning.
- Mode 5: auto maintain, float charging mode for keeping the battery fully charged.
- Mode 6: This is a 30-day storage recondition mode. When the battery is in storage for a longer period of time, it is reconditioned every 30 days to prevent battery sulfation (which can occur even when the battery is charged).
Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 Recommended Batteries
Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 are intended for charging a broad range of AGM and flooded cell lead-acid batteries with individual capacities of up to 130 Ah.
| Quick Set Mode | Battery Type | Recommended Capacity | Optima Digital 400 Charging Times | Optima Digital 1200 Charging Times |
| Optima AGM Starting Battery |
High-performance AGM starting batteries:
|
40 - 100 Ah |
9 to 15 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 18 to 30 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
3 to 5 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 6 to 10 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
| Optima AGM Deep Cycle Battery |
High-performance AGM deep cycle batteries:
|
35 - 100 Ah |
9 to 15 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 18 to 36 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
3 to 5 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 6 to 12 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
| Large Auto and Marine Battery | Standard Large Flooded Cell and AGM batteries | 40 - 130 Ah |
9 to 18 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 18 to 36 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
3 to 6 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 6 to 12 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
| Motorcycle and Powersport Battery | Standard Smaller Flooded Cell and AGM batteries | up to 40 Ah |
3 to 9 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 15 to 30 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
1 to 3 hours at 20 - 40% discharge, 5 to 10 hours at 50% or larger discharge |
As one can see, both Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 are intelligent 12V battery chargers intended for similar battery types and sizes, except that Optima Digital 1200 charger features (among a few other features) a larger charging current and thus shorter charging times.
Note: when the units arrive, be sure to read the manual before the very first use. Better safe than sorry ...
For more reviews and recommendations, check Optima Digital 400 and Optima Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer Amazon links (links open in the new windows).