battery charger question

crdouger · 03-26-2008, 12:29 PM

I know the best way to maintain batteries is to have a nice 3 stage converter/charger maintianing your batteries. And I've also been recommended to have 20-25A charging capacity per battery. I have two 125ah batteries. I'm only going to camp several weekends per year. Can I just use my 6A car battery charger and charge it up before I go on a vacation and then use a battery minder to maintain them in my garage between trips? I know it will take longer to charge, but if I'm only using it for occasional weekends, can I get away with this?
Doug

Leipper · 03-26-2008, 12:49 PM

With the battery minder for storage and an allowance for a bit of time for charging, you should be in good shape.

The reason for the 20 amps of charging per 100 AH of battery is for rapid charging without so much as to damage the battery.

The key concepts are to keep the battery at full charge as much as possible and to use some sort of desulfation process when it is sitting. That generally leads to best battery life.

68 Overlander · 03-29-2008, 09:51 AM

I see no problem with that Doug. My only concern would be if the 6 amp charger has the capability to raise the voltage above 14 to ensure a full charge. Many modern chargers do however many older chargers do not.
Nothing wrong with maintaining them with a batteryminder or tender. Like Bryan said, make sure you take advantage of the desulfation feature if it has one.