battery tender/maintainer

[jimzz2006]

In my lower garage, I have my Camaro, 2 motorcycles and 2 garden tractors. Is there a way to daisy chain these together with 1 or 2 battery tenders? I currently have 2 Schumacher units and when I think of it I swap the units over to another battery. Is there an easier way to make sure these stay charged up when needed? Once spring hits it is not a problem as they all get used regularly

 

[demoderbydave]

Deltran (the company that makes the Battery Tender) makes a "dealer/shop" unit that will charge multiple batteries at once and optimize them individually.

They make different versions from 2 batts to 10 that I saw doing a quick search. Hope this helps you!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CIPHUI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[hblock72]

Yes. You can attach more than one battery "in parallel" to a battery tender. Below is from the frequently asked questions section of the Deltran/battery tender website:


Yes, but with restrictions. A parallel connection means that positive posts of each battery are electrically connected together and the negative posts of each battery are electrically connected together. The voltage of a parallel connected battery pack is exactly the same as the voltage of each battery in that pack.

If the nominal battery voltages (i.e. 12V, 8V, 6V) are the same on each battery, and if the batteries are the same lead acid type (flooded, AGM, or Gel Cell), then yes, the Battery Tender® Plus battery charger can be used to charge more than 1 battery simultaneously when those batteries are connected in parallel. Just remember that 2 batteries in parallel behave like one large battery. The charge storage capacity of each battery simply adds together. Two 12 volt batteries, each with 25 amp hour capacities, will look like one 12 volt battery with a 50 amp hour capacity. You may be able to charge more than 1 battery simultaneously, but it will take longer to do it. [/I]

 

[mrodgers]

What they said. On a very much smaller scale, but newer tech battery wise, we do it all the time in the RC hobby. Folks charge as many Lithium polymer batteries at the same time (same capacity) as they can with parallel connectors.

 

[GQ//22]

I just bought 2 of the Deltran Battery Tender Jr's for my ATV's and love them. The only prob you may have with single point units like the one linked above is wiring EVERYWHERE. I would rather do a smaller single unit over each car or bike.

 

[nehog]

Yes. You can attach more than one battery "in parallel" to a battery tender. Below is from the frequently asked questions section of the Deltran/battery ...

I will add to this: when connecting in parallel (which IS acceptable) try to start with the batteries at about the same level of charge if possible.

 

[hblock72]

Just to add another thought. I have four batteries that I store that aren't always that close to each other, so I found it easier to just buy more battery tenders than to have to get all of my batteries in close proximity to each other for either the multi battery unit or wiring them together in parallel. I'm probably also more likely to keep it on the maintainer if I just have to plug it up and not remove the battery or string wires everywhere.

 

[wssix99]

I just got a really fancy battery charger/tender from Optima. They have one model, which has detachable leads, which you can permanently install in each vehicle, leaving a pigtail like you'd have in a block heater. You can then move from vehicle to vehicle and plug it in. The benefit of this is that the unit can condition each battery individually. (I imagine this method would extend the lives of the batteries vs. hooking them up in parallel.)

 

[BD1]

I just got a really fancy battery charger/tender from Optima. They have one model, which has detachable leads, which you can permanently install in each vehicle, leaving a pigtail like you'd have in a block heater. You can then move from vehicle to vehicle and plug it in. The benefit of this is that the unit can condition each battery individually. (I imagine this method would extend the lives of the batteries vs. hooking them up in parallel.)

I got that with my Battery Tender, works great.

 

[Pate]

I have a Ctek and love the thing.

http://smartercharger.com/

 

[IONH]

I bought some very inexpensive aligator clip wires off Amazon last fall. Hooked two tractor batteries and one motorcycle up using them in parallel. That and a $5.99 battery tender from HF and a time set for 8 hours a day.

 

[theoldwizard1]

In my lower garage, I have my Camaro, 2 motorcycles and 2 garden tractors. Is there a way to daisy chain these together with 1 or 2 battery tenders? I currently have 2 Schumacher units and when I think of it I swap the units over to another battery. Is there an easier way to make sure these stay charged up when needed? Once spring hits it is not a problem as they all get used regularly

Long leads on a battery charger are not a good idea because of voltage drop in the wire. This will REALLY screw up parallel charging !

Personally, I am not a fan of parallel charging. I guess all batteries will eventually get fully charged. In general, the batteries should be the same "chemistry" (don't mix gel with flooded, etc). It is better to have batteries with the same capacity (don't put a garden tractor battery in parallel with a car battery). Don't mix deep discharge with non-deep discharge batteries, and you are better off if you start with batteries that are in similar "state of charge".

 

[HOTFR8]

There are lots of topics on battery tenders here on the forum.