Forum Discussion

Go_Dawgs's avatar
Go_Dawgs
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013

Charging batteries

I think my Intellipower 9200 converter/charger is toast on our AF990. I need to get a multimeter to verify but in the mean time I unplugged the converter from the 110 outlet that it is plugged into (when connected to shore power) and the outlet is fine and in working order.

In the mean time I have a question on charging the batteries. I have two group 27 batteries wired in parallel in the camper. Since my inverter/charger in bad and does not charge them when I am plugged into shore power can I simply hook up my 15amp Stanley battery charger directly to one of the batteries? Do I need to disconnect the batteries individually and charge them individually? Or can I just hook up my charger to one of the batters and both batteries will charge?

Also, I have a battery disconnect switch under the sink, should I flip the disconnect switch while charging? I wouldn't think that would be necessary.

So far I have left the batteries as is (connected and wired in parallel) and not bothered with the battery disconnect switch. I have hooked up the charger to the front batter and let it charge. Once the batteries are fully charged the charger goes into a trickle charge mode. Everything seems to be ok, running fine but I figured I should ask and get some opinions.

Thanks for the help,
JT
Truck Campers
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Jul 17, 2013
    quote wrote:
    When batteries are parallel charged, the more unbalanced, the shorter the life.



    Hi, This seems like a good idea,to balance the batts from time to time. So one battery is not fighting the other.
    If someone does this with a two 12 v. battery bank and finds one of the batts to be 'off the mark' , i would think both batts would need to be changed ??? or is not correct ?
    In other words, can i use this as an excuse to buy myself two new camper batteries and use the leftover good one for my trolling motor :@ir

    Im only asking this question because some people say batts should be of equal size and age.

    Bob
  • Jeepers92's avatar
    Jeepers92
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2013
    You can charge parallel, that's the on board works. It is best to charge each individually. You can unhook the parallel wire between the two pos connectors then charge each battery individually. You want the two batteries as balanced as possible. Charge both individually, let set for 5 min after the last bat is charged, then check with voltmeter. The voltages should be close. While charging with an external charger, disconnect the battery from the on board by turning off batt switch located under the sink. When batteries are parallel charged, the more unbalanced, the shorter the life. If cutoff on the charger is 14 volts, that can be 16 on one and 12 on the other. They will try to balance on discharge, but the more cycles, the more out they get. It's a great idea to balance them every year.
  • Raften's avatar
    Raften
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2013
    Just hook the charger up. That is pretty much how your converter charges them.

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