Whats the best/easiest way to put three batteries on a 'trickle' charge while yo

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 17:54

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Member - Boo Boo (NSW)

Good evening all

We have just arrived at Walget NSW for a couple of weeks, unfortunately I had to buy a new battery for the boat a few days before we left.

The battery was only 14 months old, but I had not used the boat for about 12 months because we are away so much.

At first I have thought of 3 chargers, but some one suggested solar, but he had no idea (like me) how these things work.

Based on my previous posts on 12v electricity some of you will realise I need help, hey Mainey!

Some advice would be appreciated.

The batteries I need to charge range from a ride on lawnmower battery to my troopy batteries, one on which is a deep cycle.

I thought I might put the batteries on the workshop bench and use them when needed.

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Reply By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 18:39

Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 18:39

Boo

get yourself a smart charger and hook the battery's up in parallel.

ie. from pos on charger to + + + on battery
From Neg on charger to - - - on battery

as long as they are not flat or used and the temp. does not change to much they will charge at stage 3 or 4 depending on type of smart charge..

If I'm wrong I'm sure I will be told... LOL

Cheers

Richard

AnswerID: 381142

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 18:42

Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 18:42

ARB

FollowupID: 648559

Reply By: Paul V Qld - Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 19:43

Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 19:43

I have a rarely used battery, I use a Battery Fighter Junior to keep it charged up and ready for action, and it does a good job. I bought mine from Super Cheap for $50.

Battery Fighter Junior

Cheers,

Paul

AnswerID: 381150

Reply By: Haza - Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 22:30

Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 22:30

I wouldn't be charging 3 different types/sizes off the one charger in parallel.
The problem would be one battery will require more charge when the other/others are charged and other reasons, then the charger will be feeding on charge and not trickle.
If you only have or purchase 1 charger I would remove the battery or disconnect it and charge it and leave it disconnected till needed (store it out of sunlight in a cool dry place) and then periodically give it a top up say every month or two.
Generally battery life is cut will a battery is left not at full charge, a battery also wears on the amount of cycles discharges/recharges and then there is just the life of a battery will last from Manufactured date. Also make sure your fluild in the battery is at the correct level before charging if it isn't top it up with distilled water.

AnswerID: 381193

Follow Up By: RV Powerstream P/L - Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 07:30

Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 07:30

Hazza
I would agree with that and the best way would be to use a multiple outlet smart charger and that way you can connect different batteries which are independently managed.

The ProrTechi range from Pro Mariner of USA are just that and are priced competitively and range for 10A 2 outlet to 15,20,25,30 and 40A all with three outlets.
Ian

FollowupID: 648640

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 18:06

Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 18:06

If you just want to maintain the charge of batteries on storage that were fully charged when put in storage, then you are wasting money on any more than a single-stage float charger.

Float-only chargers don't measure current into the battery, so it doesn't matter if one battery draws more than the other.

The only problem you will have with floating batteries in parallel is if a cell shorts out in one of the batteries and it draws more current than the charger is capable of delivering.

As long as none of the batteries are GEL, the same voltage from a single charger can charge all your batteries in parallel. The Xantrex Truecharge applies the same Float Voltage for Flooded, AGM and Calcium batteries.

AnswerID: 381301