Charging Multiple Batteries Simultaneously

Thread Starter

ignite

Joined Jan 31, 2008
18
Would it be possible to charge about 30 motor bike batteries at the same time if they are all connected in parallel using a single 12V battery charger. If so would 10mm sq wire be suiffient to link them together? Is this bad for batteries in any way?
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
If they were all brand-new batteries that had already been checked for defects (shorted cells, etc.), were already charged, and you just wanted to keep them on a float charge, that could be done.

However, it wouldn't be a good idea to do that with batteries that had been in use for a while. You would at least want to isolate the batteries from each other by using rectifier diodes. If one of the batteries developed a shorted cell, it would hog the charging current. If the other batteries weren't protected via diodes, they might become drained, shortening their lives.

Battery sulpation begins at around 12.4v. Heavily sulphated batteries are no longer able to accept or release a charge.
 

blocco a spirale

Joined Jun 18, 2008
1,546
I think 30 is a bit optimistic. Ideally they should all have individual current limiting which could be as simple as connecting a filament bulb in series with each one.
 
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