Pulsetech Battery Products

The World Leader In Battery
Maintenance Technology

Waste Company Improves Battery Performance

With thousands of trucks and tens of thousands of lead-acid batteries in use every day, Waste Management, the largest waste disposal company in North America, is well aware of the expense and labor involved in battery-related issues and replacements. That's why, when the company learned of the potential reduction in battery-related costs it could receive by using the patented pulse technology battery maintenance systems offered by Pulse Tech, it was very interested in taking a closer look.

Now, after working together for almost eighteen months and completing a full twelve-month evaluation in two different cities, the test results are in – and they are even more impressive than the executives at Waste Management hoped they would be.

According to Don Johnson, Fleet Support Manager for North America, Waste Management operates and maintains approximately 14,500 collection and 7,000 support vehicles within their hauling divisions. This equates to over 50,500 batteries. That number of batteries represents a multimillion dollar investment. Based on years of experience and the motivation to cut back on battery costs, Waste Management put pulse technology to the test at Waste Management of Wisconsin (formerly Best Disposal).

During the twelve month evaluation (December 1996 to 1997), PulseTech products were installed on a cross-section of collection vehicles consisting of various types,makes and age. At the same time, a control group was established of an equal number of similar vehicles to create a comparison across identical usage patterns.

All of the vehicles had battery configurations of either two or three batteries in parallel. The products installed included the 12-volt PowerPulse™, the 12volt Industrial Solargizer, and the split-wire harness version of the 12-volt Solargizer, specially designed for use with 12-volt batteries in parallel. Each of these patented products are designed to rejuvenate 12-volt lead-acid batteries by removing and preventing sulfate accumulation on the lead battery plates, thus maintaining peak performance.

On the trucks using PowerPulse and Solargizer, the units were installed one per battery. A single split-wire Solargizer (either with two-wire or three-wire split harnesses) was installed on each of the remaining trucks. This special unit is capable of maintaining either two or three batteries in parallel, depending on the model.

To further evaluate the benefits PulseTech products had to offer, Waste Management wanted to see how pulse technology would perform in a totally different climate. Another evaluation was performed at Southern Sanitation in Florida. With these duel tests, Waste Management was able to see how the products handled the extreme cold of winter in Wisconsin, and the heat and humidity of sunny South Florida, These factors are important because extreme cases of heat or cold can actually increase sulfation buildup in batteries.

It didn't take long for positive results to appear. In only two months, there was a noticeable improvement in the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) on about 86% of the batteries installed with pulse technology. On the trucks without the technology, CCA readings actually dropped on 76% of the batteries.

Over the twelve-month period, the vehicles were rechecked six separate times to record the performance of the batteries, both with and without the technology. Final readings were taken December 17, 1997 and the information was compared. The results were conclusive: The CCA readings improved in most of the batteries that had the technology installed while the control battery's CCA readings mostly declined. Not only that, but the overall replacement of batteries on the vehicles with the technology was reduced by 66% versus the control group. That's a three to one rate!

Another benefit was dramatically observed one frosty December morning in Wisconsin. As the drivers arrived to head out on their routes, six trucks in the control group without the technology had to be jump started due to the intense cold. Only one truck with the technology had to be jump started.

Once again, this is a six to one ratio for jump starts. When the batteries are maintained in better condition consistently, a variety of additional benefits (besides reduced battery replacement) come to light.

Results of the prolonged test showed Don Johnson and other Waste Management personnel that battery efficiency will be improved by maintaining peak capacity, and charge acceptance will be greater so batteries will recharge faster and more efficiently. These tests also revealed the normal battery life for the collection vehicles in the field. With the Pulse Tech products installed, projections are now being made that extend that battery life significantly, therefore reducing future replacement expenses byhundreds of thousands of dollars per year. The extended benefits include fewer jump starts, reduced road calls and labor hours, and a better operating electrical system.

Seeing the technology in action has proven to be invaluable. Based on the final results in Wisconsin and Florida, a return of investment analysis has been performed, and Waste Management executives are currently developing an implementation strategy for their organization.