charging dual batteries

[luv2fish13]

just got a boat with dual batteries, was wondering if a can just hook up battery charger to the batteries without disconnecting them

 

[Fireman431]

Re: charging dual batteries

Yes. Now, there will be 50 additional comments, but here is the gist...

*Use a battery charger like the dual-bank Battery Tender with the battery switch set to OFF. You don't want to have a constant charging current going into the battery when it isn't needed. A quality trickle charger will top off the batteries and then go into a monitor mode and only kick on when necessary.

* It is better to unhook them or turn the battery selector to OFF if you only have a single bank charger. Doing this will make you charge one battery at a time. I can't think of any reason that leaving them hooked up would cause a problem, but if I'm missing something, someone will sure chirp in.

* Make sure the compartment/area where the batteries are kept is well ventilated during charging.

* Make sure the battery cells are topped off with electrolytes or distilled water prior to charging.

 

[dingbat]

Re: charging dual batteries

I use a plain old Die-hard 10/2/60A charger with auto-mode.

I use 10 amp/ deep cycle mode and connect the charger to the battery that has the most convenient access. Move the battery selector switch to ?both? and charge away. Come out the next morning and both batteries are fully charged.