Altronix AL600ULXR 12/24VDC 6A Power Supply with Battery Charger
The Altronix AL600ULXR is an AC-to-DC power supply and battery charger designed to deliver continuous primary power plus managed backup capability for security and access control systems. This unit consolidates power distribution and battery management into a single chassis, eliminating the need for separate charger hardware in installations where 24/7 operation is non-negotiable. Rated at 6A output at both 12VDC and 24VDC, the AL600ULXR scales across entry-level card readers and door controllers through multi-device networked access control installations.
Key Features
- Dual-voltage output (12VDC or 24VDC, selectable): Eliminates the need to stock separate 12V and 24V units — configure once during installation, then adapt to site-specific equipment requirements without hardware swaps.
- 6A maximum output current at both voltages: Sufficient capacity to power multiple door lock controllers, badge readers, and wireless access points simultaneously. At 24VDC, 6A equals 144W total; at 12VDC, 72W. Verify that your combined device draws do not exceed these limits.
- Integrated battery charging function: Manages lead-acid or sealed maintenance-free backup batteries without additional charger hardware. Reduces enclosure footprint and simplifies wiring in tight cabinet installations.
- AC mains failure supervision with automatic switchover: Detects loss of AC input and automatically transitions load to battery. No manual intervention or external monitoring required. Critical for access control failover scenarios where lock-down timing matters.
- Low battery voltage detection and alarm supervision: Sends alarm signal when battery capacity drops below a usable threshold, triggering technician dispatch before complete discharge occurs. Prevents silent battery failure during extended outages.
- Battery presence monitoring: Verifies that a backup battery is physically connected before relying on switchover logic. Catches misconfigured or missing batteries before an actual power event.
- UL Listed and CE marked: Meets North American (UL) and European (CE) safety and EMC standards. Required for code-compliant installations in secured facilities and jurisdictions enforcing electrical equipment certification.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Altronix backs this unit for the life of ownership under standard industrial use, reducing long-term component replacement risk in budget-constrained maintenance cycles.
Typical Applications
Access control systems using magnetic locks, electric strikes, or turnstiles benefit from the AL600ULXR's automatic failover — power loss does not trigger loss-of-access scenarios. CCTV installations pairing the unit with battery-backed NVRs or IP cameras extend recording uptime during brownouts or building-level power events. Emergency lighting circuits, security alarm panels, and two-way intercom systems all rely on this class of UPS-style power conditioning.
Deployment Considerations
Confirm that your backup battery voltage matches the selected output voltage — a 24V battery bank will not charge correctly if the unit is set to 12VDC output, and vice versa. Verify that all downstream devices accept the selected voltage before installation; field voltage reconfiguration requires accessible DIP switches or jumpers. Calculate total device current draw (door locks typically 0.5–2A each; readers 0.3–0.8A) to confirm you do not exceed 6A during simultaneous operation. If your installation requires redundancy or isolation between circuits, consider pairing multiple AL600ULXR units, as a single unit represents a single point of failure for all connected loads.
Compatibility
The AL600ULXR integrates with any lead-acid or sealed gel-cell backup battery rated for the selected output voltage and capacity (typically 7–20Ah for access control failover durations of 30 minutes to 4 hours). Works with industry-standard power supplies and UPS systems where additional isolation or redundancy is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I change the output voltage from 12VDC to 24VDC after installation?
A: Yes. The AL600ULXR is selectable via DIP switch or jumper configuration (verify your unit's documentation for the exact procedure). However, you must disconnect all load devices and ensure your backup battery voltage matches before switching. Do not attempt a voltage change under load.
Q: What is the battery backup duration on the AL600ULXR?
A: Backup duration depends entirely on battery capacity (Ah rating) and total load current draw. A 12Ah battery at 2A draw provides roughly 6 hours of runtime; a 7Ah battery at the same draw yields approximately 3.5 hours. The AL600ULXR itself has no battery capacity — it only manages charging and switchover. Calculate your required duration, then select battery size accordingly.
Q: Does the AL600ULXR provide surge or spike protection?
A: The AL600ULXR is a regulated power supply and charger, not a surge protector. It delivers stable DC output and manages battery transitions. For lightning or transient suppression, pair it with separate surge suppression modules or hardened enclosure wiring practices.
Q: Is the AL600ULXR suitable for outdoor installations?
A: The unit itself is designed for indoor mounting within an enclosure or cabinet. If outdoor deployment is required, mount it inside a NEMA 3R or weatherproof enclosure and ensure the enclosure has adequate ventilation. The AL600ULXR generates heat during charging and extended load operation.
Q: How do I know if the battery has failed?
A: The AL600ULXR includes low battery voltage detection and alarm supervision. If the battery voltage drops below a usable threshold during a power outage, the unit will signal an alarm condition. Regular battery load testing (a deliberate AC mains disconnect under controlled conditions) verifies battery health before an actual emergency occurs.
Q: What size enclosure do I need for the AL600ULXR and a backup battery?
A: That depends on your selected battery capacity and enclosure type. A 7–12Ah sealed battery occupies roughly 5×3×4 inches. The AL600ULXR itself is compact (verify dimensions in your unit's datasheet). Plan for wire routing and thermal clearance (allow 2–3 inches of airflow above the unit during operation). Consult with your integrator or distributor for recommended enclosure sizing.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix AL600ULXR is a workhorse power supply for installations where access control and security equipment cannot tolerate power interruption. The dual-voltage selectability and 6A rating at both 12V and 24V make it flexible enough to support a range of door control topologies without forcing you to maintain multiple SKUs on the shelf. The integrated battery management — mains failure supervision, low battery detection, and battery presence monitoring — eliminates the need for a separate charger module, which shrinks enclosure footprints in cabinet-constrained deployments.
Technical Highlights:
- 6A output current: Delivers 144W at 24VDC or 72W at 12VDC. Sufficient for three to five door locks or readers operating simultaneously, depending on individual draw profiles. Verify that your worst-case concurrent load does not exceed this limit.
- Integrated battery charging with automatic mains failover: No separate charger hardware required. When AC mains drop, switchover to battery happens automatically — critical for systems where manual intervention is not an option during off-hours or when facilities staff is unavailable.
- Low battery and presence monitoring: Prevents silent battery failure. Alarm signals alert technicians to weak or missing batteries before an actual outage exposes the problem, reducing support emergencies and downtime risk.
Deployment Considerations:
- Battery capacity sizing is on you. The AL600ULXR manages the charger and switchover logic, but you must select a battery that provides sufficient runtime for your facility. A 7Ah battery powering a 2A average load yields roughly 3.5 hours; plan accordingly based on your outage duration expectations.
- Thermal headroom matters. The AL600ULXR generates heat during continuous output and charging cycles. Ensure the enclosure permits natural convection or forced ventilation (2–3 inches of clearance above the unit). Elevated ambient temperatures reduce component life.
Deploy the AL600ULXR in medium-scale access control installations where primary power feeds a mix of door locks, badge readers, and auxiliary devices, and where battery backup must be transparent to system operation. Pair it with proper battery sizing, thermal enclosure design, and periodic load testing, and you eliminate a major point of failure in credential-based entry systems.
