can i charge 1 battery while connected?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 35
From: Austin
can i charge 1 battery while connected?
When charging a battery in my truck with a battery charger/tender, do i need to disconnect it from the truck? Or can I just put the charger on 1 battery, and it will charge both of them?
Someone told me to unhook the battery while charging, or it would destroy the other battery. My thought it the charge would just flow to both batteries.
Thanks
Someone told me to unhook the battery while charging, or it would destroy the other battery. My thought it the charge would just flow to both batteries.
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Irmo, SC
I would think that both batteries would charge. It might put to much load on the charger though. It isnt that hard to disconnect one of them and charge it. But if you have one battery that is going bad then you might want to have them both checked and see if they are bad. If one of the batteries is bad then you would need to replace both at the same time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 0
From: Near DC
I would disconnect, too easy to do it.
How old are the batteries?
If you are having problems with one of them replace both unless they are pretty new.
If you replace one or two, keep it or them for testing 12v stuff in the shop/garage.
Or, you could hook up 12v LEDs in the shop with a 5w solar trickle charge! LOL!
Lots of uses for batts that hold a charge when NOT cranking an engine.
How old are the batteries?
If you are having problems with one of them replace both unless they are pretty new.
If you replace one or two, keep it or them for testing 12v stuff in the shop/garage.
Or, you could hook up 12v LEDs in the shop with a 5w solar trickle charge! LOL!
Lots of uses for batts that hold a charge when NOT cranking an engine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
I've never disconnected batteries to charge them. As long as you have a GOOD charger, it should be fine. I hate disconnecting my batts -- drives me crazy when the trip odometer loses its mind..... And I think you lose your KAM when you disconnect them long enough.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
I just remove the ground cable, from one battery, to test and charge the batteries individually.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 0
From: Near DC
Don't disconnect both at the same time!
One batt will hold everything up, just (probably) won't start.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
I've never disconnected the batteries to charge them and have never had any problems. The batteries are wired in parallel so hooking your charger to one will charge both. It won't overload the charger doing this, it will just take a longer amount of time to fully charge the batteries.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dam, KY
I've never disconnected the batteries to charge them and have never had any problems. The batteries are wired in parallel so hooking your charger to one will charge both. It won't overload the charger doing this, it will just take a longer amount of time to fully charge the batteries.
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