The Pulsetech SP-5 SolarPulse Pro Charger charges, maintains and desulfates any type of 12-volt lead-acid battery including AGM, flooded cell, gel cell and VRLA. It utilizes PulseTech’s solar charging system combined with a patented optimized high-frequency pulsing circuit to ensure batteries start and release maximum power when needed. The solar panel replaces power loss from electrical accessories even when the ignition is switched off. SP-5 provides a full 5 watts of power, features a low mounting profile and is designed to be virtually indestructible, impervious to weather and resistant to damage.
The Review
Eric Moore of Demary Truck in Columbus, Ohio, used the Pulsetech SP-5 SolarPulse Charger to power billboard advertising using two batteries on a stationary truck for 90 days.
The charger was temporarily installed to the vehicle roof using bungee straps, and the panel was connected to the converter. PulseTech recommends that the SP-5 is permanently mounted and the SP-5 OBD be used for temporary applications.
Moore would start the truck once every 30 days to see the level of charge, and note voltage drops in order to record its ability to recharge.
Initial voltage readings on this 'test truck' averaged 11.1 volts for both of the 31 series, deep cycle, 940 CCA batteries. Once hooked up, the Pulsetech SP-5 Solar Pro Charger had an output reading of 14.5 volts in full sun at that time.
"We checked voltages once a week over the course of about 90 days," Moore explains. "After the first week, the battery voltages had come up to 12.3 volts average. Both batteries were load tested. The voltages dropped to 11.6 volts average, and they still started the truck.
"After three weeks on the vehicle, battery voltages read 12.6, dropped to 12.0 under load, and continued to stay at peak charge for the rest of the test period, peaking at 12.8, and never dropping below 12.0 under load testing. The truck was started once every four weeks and run in to temperature, before being shut down. We decided to leave the Pulsetech SP-5 Solar Pro Charger installed on this vehicle, for now."
The charger is "plug and play," Moore says of the ease of use, even with it being the first solar charger he's ever used.
"I was really impressed with just how easy and straightforward the Pulsetech SP-5 Solar Pro Charger is to set up and start using," Moore says. "In my opinion, the instructions were not even needed. All the connections are indexed so there is no mixing them up, and it’s pretty obvious which part is the solar panel."
The product charges through one battery completely before charging the second. Moore wondered if there was a way to split the charging lead so that each battery has its own, allowing it to be able to switch back and forth between the two. This, he says, would allow the charge to distribute the equally.
