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Old 06-08-2014, 10:46 AM   #1
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Charging 2-6 volt batteries

Guys,

Need to ask a what should be a simple question. In my RV I have a 2 -6 volt battery set up. I forgot to hit the disconnect and drained them while in storage.

I have a 6/12volt charger.

Do I charge one battery at a time on the 6 volt setting OR do I charge them both at the same time on the 12 volt setting connecting the pos to the one battery and the neg to the other battery.

Thanks, I know stupid ? but I used to just run 12 volt batteries.
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Old 06-08-2014, 10:53 AM   #2
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I don't think it matters. The batteries will charge either way. However, with the batteries being completely discharged you may have a problem. Batteries do not like being completely discharged!! It can "kill" them permanently. Some will revive and some will not.

Hope yours are in the latter group.
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Old 06-08-2014, 10:57 AM   #3
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Charge both at the same time on 6 volt setting. Connect neg to one battery and positive to other.
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Old 06-08-2014, 11:06 AM   #4
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Normally it doesn't matter but since they're flat than I'd split them and charge separately on 6V. That way if one is iffy then you can find it.
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Old 06-08-2014, 12:44 PM   #5
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Charge both at the same time on 6 volt setting. Connect neg to one battery and positive to other.
Tried this one and it didn't want to charge so I had to switch it to 12v. They are now charging so we will see how she goes. Hope I didn't destroy the batteries, practically brand new. What a bonehead I am.
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Old 06-08-2014, 01:06 PM   #6
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Update. Not sure what is going on now. The box in the picture keeps clicking about every minute or so. It clicks and the charger is then charging. Minute later it clicks and the charger is not charging.

Kind of weird.
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Old 06-08-2014, 01:09 PM   #7
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Discharged batteries tend to "sulfate". There are chargers that will attempt to desulfate. If they won't hold a charge you might try this.

You might check this link
Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section 16
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Old 06-08-2014, 01:13 PM   #8
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I disconnected everything and am now charging each individual battery at the 6v settings. Seems to be working now.
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Old 06-08-2014, 01:22 PM   #9
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I disconnected everything and am now charging each individual battery at the 6v settings. Seems to be working now.
Spoke to soon. Charger still clicking on and off. We will see.
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Old 06-08-2014, 01:28 PM   #10
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It could be desulphating. It hits it with a charge, then off, then hits it, then off. That effectively "shakes" sulphate buildup off from between the plates. Let it sit.

And it's not boneheaded. There's not one of us here that hasn't or won't kill a battery at some point.
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Old 06-08-2014, 03:27 PM   #11
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What was the voltage on the batteries? If it's too low, the clicking might be the charger going into safety shut down. Once it cools, it starts charging again. Get a HD battery charger as that looks more like a battery tender.

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Old 06-08-2014, 11:12 PM   #12
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You need to hit those with a big charge...take it to the local auto store or your local service shop and get them to put them on a big boy overnight... You may have murdered them but since they are pretty new...you've got a chance to save them even with some damage.
One at a time on 6V is best. Two...bridged with a +/- cable is OK too.
If they aren't SEALED batteries...get a turkey baster hydrometer and take a reading on EACH CELL after you're done charging to make sure there are no dead ones that will ruin both batteries.
Good luck will be needed!
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Old 06-09-2014, 12:26 AM   #13
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Give it some time, some chargers are designed to cycle on and off to attempt the recovery of totally dead batteries. After several hours if the charger is like mine it will stay on and slowly keep increasing the voltage.
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Old 06-09-2014, 01:24 PM   #14
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I let it go all night. No luck. Next weekend I am just going to pull them and take them to test and charge them with a good charger.

Thanks for all the help. I will report back the verdict.
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Old 06-15-2014, 07:32 PM   #15
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First Happy Fathers Day.

Second I took the batteries in to the shop. They charged them and then put them on their machine. They said they were at 5.43 volts and the machine said to charge them, meaning they were not ok. The shop did not test the cells with a hydrometer. Fully charged shouldn't the batteries read over 6 volts.

I want to be extra safe as the last thing I want is to get stranded with not so good batteries.

Do you all say they need to be replaced?
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Old 06-15-2014, 08:39 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goin2drt View Post
Update. Not sure what is going on now. The box in the picture keeps clicking about every minute or so. It clicks and the charger is then charging. Minute later it clicks and the charger is not charging.

Kind of weird.Attachment 54653
To me that looks more like the battery (power) control center, can't read the printing. If it is the sound you hear could be the relay switching from charging coach batteries to charging chassis battery. Maybe not.
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Old 06-15-2014, 08:41 PM   #17
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Fully charged 6VDC battery (lead acid - wet) should read 6.6VDC.
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Old 06-15-2014, 08:52 PM   #18
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Fully charged 6VDC battery (lead acid - wet) should read 6.6VDC.
Correction 6.3...anything greater is surface charge.
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Old 06-15-2014, 09:00 PM   #19
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batteries

Good evening g2d..
I have worked with batteries most of my adult life and have seen a lot of changes in there design. A good battery will have a cell reading or 2.00volt per cell for a reading of 6.00 volt. A low battery will have a reading of 1.75 per cell (1.75×3cells=5.25). Your batteries are still good. I assume these are the house batteries lf so they are deep cycle batteries.this means that they were made to be discharged.this being said it means that it will take longer to charge up. The built in charger on your coach will charge them when you are plugged into a power supply or running the gen set. If your coach is like mine, look where your monitor for battery, water, waste tank is located and you should see a switch at the battery screen . it should say "use save".by pressing save you can shut down anything that is 12 volt and not repeat this again. Hope this helps
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Old 06-15-2014, 09:00 PM   #20
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So if a full charge is 1 volt less am I asking for trouble to use these batteries?
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