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Old 07-06-2019, 09:24 PM   #1
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Battery charging

Just wondering if I can use one battery charger (pic and link below) to charge both of my 24-group batteries simultaneously. I plan to keep the batteries on the charger over the winter. It also desulfates.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...1518p.html#srp
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Old 07-07-2019, 12:44 AM   #2
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Why don't you just use the trailer's converter, by plugging the shore cord into power?
Never needed a separate battery charger for the 25 years we've been RVing.
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Old 07-07-2019, 07:30 AM   #3
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Why don't you just use the trailer's converter, by plugging the shore cord into power?
Never needed a separate battery charger for the 25 years we've been RVing.
Sulfation is the number one reason for premature battery failure in these batteries. Perhaps he is trying to combat that?
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Old 07-07-2019, 07:41 AM   #4
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Sure sulfation is a problem. I doubt that this external unit does anything special to reduce it that his converter doesn't do.
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Old 07-07-2019, 08:35 AM   #5
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May camper will be outside all winter. I'll tarp it. It goes down to -20 to -30 celcius here in Jan/Feb. My batteries would freeze solid left outside so they have to come indoors. Plus the desulphation feature on the external charger is a bonus.

But can it be hooked up to both batteries simultaneously?
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Old 07-07-2019, 11:18 AM   #6
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May camper will be outside all winter. I'll tarp it. It goes down to -20 to -30 celcius here in Jan/Feb. My batteries would freeze solid left outside so they have to come indoors. Plus the desulphation feature on the external charger is a bonus.

But can it be hooked up to both batteries simultaneously?
A charged battery won't freeze.
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Old 07-07-2019, 11:41 AM   #7
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True. Camper won't be plugged in over the winter though.
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Old 07-07-2019, 11:47 AM   #8
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True. Camper won't be plugged in over the winter though.
That's different.
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Old 07-07-2019, 12:42 PM   #9
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Since you are removing the batteries and maintaining (charge) them separately I'd consider spending a few dollars more on one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENM2-Wa.../dp/B00CBTRMZ4



It monitors each battery individually and adds charge or "conditions" as each battery requires. Using a single charger will only deal with the "average" of the two batteries connected together in parallel.

If one battery has more internal discharge than the other, it could trigger the charger to charge, which might end up overcharging the good battery.

I'm using a charger from this company to maintain my Tow Vehicle battery as the TV sits in the garage for long periods of time between trips (although trips are becoming more frequent) and couldn't be happier with the results.

I'd consider paying a little more for a LOT more battery care.

As for "Desulfation Mode", most small chargers don't really have a true de-sulfation mode where somewhat extreme voltages are applied (some 16 volts or more) to force an overcharge condition that is supposed to convert sulfate back to original lead compounds. Most only apply voltages under 15 volts to prevent damage to vehicle electrical components. This does help with stratification and maybe some desulfation but keeping a battery fully charged does more to prevent sulfation than ordinary battery chargers with "desulfation modes".


Just for information sake, this ia another benefit of the new LiFePo batteries that are making their way into the RV market. Batteries can be stored at just about any state of charge with no fear of damage or loss of capacity.
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Old 07-07-2019, 12:53 PM   #10
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But can it be hooked up to both batteries simultaneously?
As I recall you said in earlier post you had two different types of 12V batteries. If that is the case I would plug one in for a week, then the other one in for a week. Leave both off for a month then do over again.
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Old 07-07-2019, 01:22 PM   #11
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As I recall you said in earlier post you had two different types of 12V batteries. If that is the case I would plug one in for a week, then the other one in for a week. Leave both off for a month then do over again.
X2. This is what I do with my TT and garden tractor batteries, although I just swap it from one battery to the other every month or so.

I use a BatteryMINDer:

https://www.amazon.com/BatteryMINDer.../dp/B005EKY1EM
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Old 07-07-2019, 03:28 PM   #12
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As I recall you said in earlier post you had two different types of 12V batteries. If that is the case I would plug one in for a week, then the other one in for a week. Leave both off for a month then do over again.
The charger I posted a picture of can be used with different battery sizes. It's designed for marine use and having a starting battery and house battery of different sizes is very common.

For me, I'd prefer that to having to remember to switch back and forth. At my age I might forget where I had the batteries sitting for charge
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Old 07-07-2019, 03:33 PM   #13
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The charger I posted a picture of can be used with different battery sizes. It's designed for marine use and having a starting battery and house battery of different sizes is very common.

For me, I'd prefer that to having to remember to switch back and forth. At my age I might forget where I had the batteries sitting for charge
Hes right though, 2 different batteries will not charge equally and could damage one.
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Old 07-07-2019, 05:07 PM   #14
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Hes right though, 2 different batteries will not charge equally and could damage one.
The multi-bank chargers look at each battery as if it was the only one connected and charges accordingly then "samples" the next battery's needs.

Charge for each bank is adjusted, unlike when just connecting two different batteries with jumper cables and attaching to a single charger.


There's a reason these chargers are called "Smart Chargers".

Only limitation to the charger I pictured is that it delivers a maximum of 8 amps with some going to one "bank" and some to the other. If one battery is charged before the other, the charge to the "finished" battery is discontinued and the other continues to charge.
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Old 07-07-2019, 06:09 PM   #15
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Batteries are the same.
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