4 - 6 Volt Batteries - Which Battery Tender?

[bccsrc]

So I have 4 6 volt batteries. I can't decide which would work best for me. I get tired of filling these batteries up with distilled water every 1-2 months.

Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery ChargerBattery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger

or

Battery Tender 022-0165-DL-WH 12-Volt 2-Bank Battery Management SystemBattery Tender 022-0165-DL-WH 12-Volt 2-Bank Battery Management System

I'm not sure if I could use the 2 bank system, and charge each set of batteries or not.

[RJsfishin]

I'll only add that if you need watering more than every 6 months, something in your charging is not right !

[Canadian_Rainbi]

doughere wrote:
First you need to find out what the voltage is that you are floating at. If it is floating above 13.25 (at normal temperatures) you need to do something (or at least keep watering regularly).

My two 6 Volt GC's need watering no more than twice a year using a PD9245 and later a PD9260. I now have 120 watts of solar mounted flat on the RV using a cheap PWM charger with the same results. A gallon of distilled water lasts years.

I'd think a good converter would be worth the investment in better battery reliability, and probably better charging. A small solar system would also do a good job; some would recommend a temperature compensated charger, but my experience would indicate that much sophistication is not needed (I live in North Carolina, so our temperature swings are not near as bad as other places in the country).

Regards,
Doug

Yup! What Doug said. I would guess that the converter in your rig is overcharging the batteries.

[doughere]

First you need to find out what the voltage is that you are floating at. If it is floating above 13.25 (at normal temperatures) you need to do something (or at least keep watering regularly).

My two 6 Volt GC's need watering no more than twice a year using a PD9245 and later a PD9260. I now have 120 watts of solar mounted flat on the RV using a cheap PWM charger with the same results. A gallon of distilled water lasts years.

I'd think a good converter would be worth the investment in better battery reliability, and probably better charging. A small solar system would also do a good job; some would recommend a temperature compensated charger, but my experience would indicate that much sophistication is not needed (I live in North Carolina, so our temperature swings are not near as bad as other places in the country).

Regards,
Doug

[time2roll]

Skip those and get the 5 amp

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-022-0157-1-Waterproof-Charger/dp/B002DU3S9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=automo...

Better suited to recharge before it floats.

Actually the 20a high frequency model is even better but a bit pricey.

But honestly a better converter or temperature compensated solar would be my preference.
Post the converter model and the current battery voltage for best answers.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If you don't wish to water at all consider agm technology. These can be deep cycled safely.

Marine batteries which have less antimony than six volt golf cart batteries may require less watering, too. You may have to avoid going below 50% EVER.

[wa8yxm]

When my U-2200 six volt GC-2 class batteries were new I had to water ever 10-14 months, Progressive Dynamics 9180 with charge wizard fed them.

A good 3 stage converter is the best battery minder you can get.


However, if you want a "Bench" maintainer.... I think they make one designed to charge 4 12 volt car batteries in parralel.. your two pair would be 4-8 Automotive batteries so the 4 bagger should work

Make sure it has only one output though, designed to charge 4 of them in parallel.

[2oldman]

bccsrc wrote:
No, I just let it sit at my house and use it once a year and make the payment each month,:S

That sucks.

[BFL13]

6s do require watering while on a float, so you might not gain much by switching float chargers. If your time on float is long and your camping time is short, you might do better by disconnecting the batts in between charging them up to full episodes.

6s are meant to be cycled and don't like long times on float due to the antimony. Could be a factor in your situation?

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I'd add a modest solar system.

[bccsrc]

No, I just let it sit at my house and use it once a year and make the payment each month,:S

[2oldman]

Is it in storage?

[bccsrc]

I just plug the RV into power. I think the system is over charging and it might be better to get something that shuts off charging when the batteries don't need it.

[2oldman]

Are you watering your batteries because of overcharging?