Charging Batteries in Parallel

[folke2000]

If I want to charge 3 vex batteries in Parallel, can I use just one charger or do you have to hook each to it's own charger.

Thanks for any help or thoughts on this!!!!

Folke

[BobT]

You can do it provided the charger can handle the current draw. If all three batteries are very low the combined current draw from them may be more than your charger can handle.

[Iceboy]

I know that my Battery Minder is rated to charge up to 4 batteries in parallel (which I do) and it seems to work fine.

[folke2000]

Thanks....You guys have answered my question.....

Folke

[Whoaru99]

It will, of course, take approximately three times longer to charge three batteries than just one.

You may get a better charge to each battery if charged separate because the charger sees what is happening with that particular battery, rather than seeing an average of three batteries.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I charged mine individually then hooked them up parallel with a battery maintainer for the winter.

[BobT]

Quote:

It will, of course, take approximately three times longer to charge three batteries than just one.

Not necessarily true. If your charger can deliver the current that each demands, they'll all pull what they need simultaneously and the charge time will be dependent on the one with the lowest charge.

[Whoaru99]

It was a general statement assmuming the batteries were all roughly same state of discharge. YMMV.

The exact time will, as you imply, depend on how many amps in total must be returned and the capacity of the charger.