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oldcat1's avatar
oldcat1
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014

Battery Charger

I have read some old posts, but am still unclear on a couple of things. I bought a 15 amp charger I want to use when I have a night with shore power between stints of dry camping. (My converter only puts out a small charge). I have two 6 volt batteries in series.

Do I need to install a cutoff switch between the battery and converter to isolate the batteries when charging? What about when I use the desulphating mode? When charging both 6 volt batteries in series I set the charger to 12 volts, right?

Thanks in advance.

16 Replies

  • Good to go, nothing to disconnect, update or change.
    I do recommend you get the portable started first then plug in the RV second.
  • RoyB, you make excellent posts. In my little home shop I have a couple of 12 amp chargers and I need something bigger. For instance, my F250 with dual batteries just barely cranked after sitting for weeks.
    How big does the all purpose charger need to be for home use. I have a bunch of things with batteries.
    BTW, you often mention that you can get them to 90%. What needs to be done to get them to 100%?
    My Van RV has a 45 amp rated converter to charge my two GP 27's.
    Thanks
  • Check what converter you have. (Post make and model) It may do a better job then the 15 amp charger you purchased.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    If you need to charge your TWO 6VDC batterioes in SERIES to a 90% charge state in a quick three hour time span the 15AMP charger may be a bit short...

    Battery science says you need 14.4VDC BOOST MODE and between 18-20AMPS DC current available to re-charge a deep cycle battery to its 90% charge state in a three hour period.

    You will be able to re-charge your two 6VDC batteries ok using a smart mode battery charger but may take a bit longer.

    I'm always at a spot where generator run times are limited by rules at the camp ground so this is very important for me to get my batteries re-charged as quick as I can if I am using the generator for 120VAC to run my on-board converter/charger unit or a portable smart mode charger.

    Roy Ken
  • Your 12v charger will nicely charge your two 6v batteries that are connected in series. Having your converter attached should not present a problem (it can remain attached when you do not have shore power). The charger won't elevate your battery voltage enough to risk damage to the converter; in my opinion.

    However, the desulphating mode might concern me more. This is usually a higher voltage "spike" at a high frequency. I have no idea what this would do to your converter - likely nothing but it would be a concern.

    I use a desulphating trickle charger on my RV during the winter. I hook it up to the two 6v batteries and let it run for weeks when it is quite cold outside. This has an automatic desulphating mode that always kicks in after the batteries get fully charged. This has not caused any problem for my converter.

    Hope this helps....lets see what others have to say.

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