PulseTech’s four-station charging kit maintains up to four 12-volt lead-acid batteries at once.
By Jim Brightly, F358406
August 2014
Many motorhome owners need to maintain multiple lead-acid batteries. These batteries may be employed not only in the motorhome but also to power everything from autos, SUVs, and ATVs to motorcycles, boats, and riding lawn mowers. PulseTech Products Corporation facilitates this process with the Xtreme Charge four-station QuadLink battery charger kit (XC-QL4-K1), designed to automatically maintain and desulfate up to four 12-volt batteries at a time. The kit includes the XC100-P Xtreme Charge battery charger and desulfator and the XC-QL4 QuadLink four-channel battery charger multiplier, which distributes the charger’s properties.
The Xtreme Charge battery charger evaluates and tests all types of 12-volt lead-acid batteries. This battery charger simplifies maintenance and bulk charging by using proprietary algorithms and microprocessor-controlled technology to measure voltage and current in order to determine the proper operating charge. The variable float charge is said to improve battery condition by increasing the charge rate safely to optimal levels and protecting the battery from overcharging.
The QuadLink turns the Xtreme Charge battery charger — or any 6-volt or 12-volt charger up to 8 amps — into a four-station maintenance charger. It automatically splits and distributes all of the charging capabilities into 10-minute sequencing segments, eliminating the need to switch the charger back and forth between batteries in storage. Cycle rotation continues indefinitely without overcharging, automatically maintaining the charge in up to four batteries. This is especially helpful for long-term storage of motorhomes with multiple batteries aboard. For best results, the batteries should start off fully charged.
The QuadLink system can be used with any charger up to 8 amps, but only PulseTech’s maintenance chargers offer the company’s patented Pulse Technology, which is said to reduce sulfation on battery plates and to enable the battery to work at peak efficiency. Company literature states that reducing lead sulfate deposits can result in batteries lasting up to five times longer.
The kit also includes the XC-822-Test 12-volt battery tester to help determine whether a battery needs to be charged before it is attached to the charger. The pocket-sized tester quickly indicates a 12-volt lead-acid battery’s state of charge at 100 percent, 75 percent, 50 percent, or 25 percent. It also evaluates alternator voltage output and registers a “good” or “bad” reading.
The QuadLink and Xtreme Charge combination kit works with any 12-volt battery, regardless of cold cranking amp (cca) rating. This includes AGM, gel cell, VRLA, and deep-cycle RV, marine, standard automobile, and truck batteries — even small motorcycle, golf cart, and riding mower batteries.
The kit is easy to assemble and use.
“Setup takes just a few minutes and this state-of-the-art battery charger automatically knows what to do so you don’t have to be a battery expert to use it,” said Rick Miller, vice president of sales for PulseTech Products. “Unlike other smart chargers on the market, you don’t need to select the battery type or the proper charge rate for the battery to avoid the risk of unsafe or improper charging.”
In addition to maintaining up to four individual batteries, the QuadLink kit can handle 12-volt batteries in 24-volt, 36-volt, and 48-volt series configurations, Mr. Miller noted. Owners can simply connect each output lead using the provided eyelet lug connectors (up to four) to each 12-volt segment of the multiple battery configurations. This allows the QuadLink to maintenance-charge each of the 12-volt segments in 10-minute intervals. And it ensures that the entire pack remains at the same state of charge as when the batteries were put into storage.
Mr. Miller said a quick-disconnect feature allows users to permanently attach lugs to the battery and easily switch between lugs and clamps. The status light column shows users when the unit power is on, pulsing, and charging. The battery light column indicates the percentage of the battery’s state of charge.
In addition to the Xtreme Charge battery charger, the four-station charger multiplier, and the battery tester, the kit contains five 2-foot battery leads with lugs; one 2-foot battery lead with clips; four 5-foot battery extension leads; and two 25-foot battery extension leads.
The suggested retail price of the Xtreme Charge four-station QuadLink battery charger kit (XC-QL4-K1) is $199. For more information, visit www.pulsetech.net or call (800) 580-7554.