Gear: Quad Lock marine-rated waterproof wireless charger

The new 12V or 24V mount joins the brand’s growing range of marine-rated products and replaces the need for boaters to adopt a wireless recharging mount originally designed for motorbikes. 

However, in marine environments, salt could corrode the connector where the USB-C plug slots into the back of the device. The new Quad Lock 360 Head with the built-in wireless recharger has this connection wired in to remove the risk of corrosion that can eat away at the plug junction.

The marine-rated charger has a USB connection hardwired into the unit to bring it up to an IP67 level of weather protection.

This means the unit is now rated as weatherproof rather than weather-resistant.

Quad Lock Senior Mechanical Engineer Nish Parab said Quad Lock wanted to extend the ability to recharge phones to boaters despite the challenges of an environment that also had to deal with rain, temperature extremes, UV exposure, vibrations and wave pounding.

“As a wise mariner put it, ‘USB is food, not friend’,” Parab said.

“Hence we came up with a hardwired solution and improved the ingress protection to IP67 level. 

“Hardwired options allow you to connect the charger directly to the fused switch panel on your boat and ensure a steady and constant charge while you’re driving the boat or sitting idle.”

When fitting the device, Quad Lock recommends that it is wired into the ignition rather than a steady positive to avoid draining the battery. The marine kit can also come with an isolator switch with its own 3.0A fuse.

The new marine-rated wireless recharging unit is priced from $109.95 and is available online from Quad Lock.