Boon docking batteries

[Fireman2]

Hello all,
Sitting at my window looking out at the spring blossoms it must be time to de-wineries the rig. I do however have a question about batterie. I have an RW 2603 that I have added 2 -12 volt batteries to. With a small solar panel I squeeze about 5 days out of them. What I want to do is by pass the TT charging system and connect a charge directly to the batteries and use my 1000 watt generator. I am just unsure about the type of charger I should purchase. I have been looking at marine chargers that can do 2 batteries at once but at $200 they are little pricey. I know that some one out there has had a brilliant idea that really works. I check in often to the forum for ideas and up dates. All good stuff.

[acadianbob]

You should get a "smart charge" charger that detects the level of charge of the battery and changes its charging strategy as appropriate. They will go to Float mode when the battery is fully charged to avoid over-charging. Are you intending to charge each battery separately? Or both of the 12V while they are in parallel? That will determine the size of charger you need. You should charge at about 10 to 15% of your total Amp Hour rating. So, 15 amps is enough for one 130 amp hr 12 volt battery. Two batteries in parallel could probably take a 30 to 40 amp charge. Since I have only one 130 amp 12 volt battery, I am using this charger.

Amazon.com: Schumacher SSC-1500A Ship 'N' Shore Speed Charge Charger: Automotive

A charger like this would work for you and is not as expensive. But, if you are going to charge both batteries at once, it will take longer than a larger output charger. Just Google smart charger. It should bring up a host of brands with different amperage outputs. It will be a trade-off of output vs cost. Find a combination that works for you.

Good luck!

[Glenn5995]

Here is what I use:

Black & Decker Tools | 110 Amp Engine Start - 40 Amp / 20 Amp / 10 Amp / 4 Amp Continuous Charge Rates - Smart Battery Charger

They have other options:

Black & Decker Tools | Battery Chargers

[Fireman2]

Thanks for all the great info. I was thinking about charging one battery at a time. One more thing will the chargers described handle a pair of 6 volt batteries?

[Glenn5995]

I have 2 12-volt (Trojan SCS225s) in parallel. I charge both at the same time. The Black & Decker says for all 12V batteries, so I don't believe you could charge a single 6V battery. I am not sure, but believe you could charge 2 6Vs while they are in series together, as you are essentially making a large 12V battery. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will chime in.

[toshu]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

You should get a "smart charge" charger that detects the level of charge of the battery and changes its charging strategy as appropriate. They will go to Float mode when the battery is fully charged to avoid over-charging. Are you intending to charge each battery separately? Or both of the 12V while they are in parallel? That will determine the size of charger you need. You should charge at about 10 to 15% of your total Amp Hour rating. So, 15 amps is enough for one 130 amp hr 12 volt battery. Two batteries in parallel could probably take a 30 to 40 amp charge. Since I have only one 130 amp 12 volt battery, I am using this charger.

Amazon.com: Schumacher SSC-1500A Ship 'N' Shore Speed Charge Charger: Automotive

A charger like this would work for you and is not as expensive. But, if you are going to charge both batteries at once, it will take longer than a larger output charger. Just Google smart charger. It should bring up a host of brands with different amperage outputs. It will be a trade-off of output vs cost. Find a combination that works for you.

Good luck!

looking at the specs, this looks like it would also handle 6V batteries.

I also think that this is the unit I looked at in Walmart the other day for the same price.....

[Fireman2]

Thanks for all your advice. I think you just saved me $150.00.

[acadianbob]

The schumacher model i referenced does NOT do 6 volt batteries. It WILL do two 6 volt batteries that are hooked is series as that becomes 12 volts.