Charge in parallel or in series?
Charge in parallel or in series?
(OP)
Hi,
I use three 6V lead acid batteries connected in series as a 'power supply'. I take out 6V, 12V and 18V. The lowest battery naturally gets 'empty' first because it is discharging no matter if 6V, 12V or 18V output is used. And the highest battery has of course most power left when the lowest battery is empty. All batteries are of same type.
Should I charge these batteries in series or in parallel?
Thanks,
Tipo
I use three 6V lead acid batteries connected in series as a 'power supply'. I take out 6V, 12V and 18V. The lowest battery naturally gets 'empty' first because it is discharging no matter if 6V, 12V or 18V output is used. And the highest battery has of course most power left when the lowest battery is empty. All batteries are of same type.
Should I charge these batteries in series or in parallel?
Thanks,
Tipo





RE: Charge in parallel or in series?
Depending on the battery sizes three wall plug type chargers would probably work well. Jack them all into a power strip.
Highly recommended:
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I suggest you ask them if they're isolated though I'm about 99.998% sure they are.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Charge in parallel or in series?
Parallel charging may avoid the overcharging, but would result in sloshing the higher charge level battery's charge into the lower charge level.
The most ideal solution would be to individually charge the batteries, and rotate them to even out the usage.
TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Charge in parallel or in series?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Charge in parallel or in series?
TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Charge in parallel or in series?
/tipo
RE: Charge in parallel or in series?
TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Charge in parallel or in series?
Parallel is not an option either. Hooking up lightly discharged batteries in parallel with heavily discharged batteries will cause over charging RATES. Those lead to failed batteries or batteries exploding in your face. You should not attempt parallel charging because of this.
Either do what I described above or if you're insufferably cheap use a single charger and move it from batter to battery until all three are re-charged.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com