BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Madmike on February 16, 2011, 09:58:03 AM

Title: Can i use an normal car charger on an 8 D battery?
Post by: Madmike on February 16, 2011, 09:58:03 AM
Can i use an normal car charger on an 8 D battery?
Title: Re: Can i use an normal car charger on an 8 D battery?
Post by: Chopper Scott on February 16, 2011, 10:10:27 AM
Yes. Just make sure you hook to one battery at a time and directly to the posts as you would on a car.
Title: Re: Can i use an normal car charger on an 8 D battery?
Post by: Madmike on February 16, 2011, 10:22:31 AM
Thanks! That is what i thought as it is 12v but i wanted to make double sure.
Title: Re: Can i use an normal car charger on an 8 D battery?
Post by: bevans6 on February 16, 2011, 10:26:35 AM
Monitor the voltages as you always should, i tend to try to not go over 14.5 volts, and be prepared to leave a 5 or 10 amp charger on for a few days.  I use a 10 amp charger on my big batteries all the time.

Brian
Title: However, Even A Smaller Charger Can Ruin 8D Batteries By Overcharging
Post by: HB of CJ on February 17, 2011, 09:33:27 AM
Please don't ask me how I personally know this.  Seems some person FORGOT the charger was still attached and running for a week (about 3-4 amps to start with-probably 1-2 towards the END) and low and behold, both brand new 8D's were boiled bone dry.  $Ouch$  HB of CJ (forgetful old coot) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Can i use an normal car charger on an 8 D battery?
Post by: bevans6 on February 17, 2011, 09:47:22 AM
Excellent reason to go out to your shop and throw out all of the old transformer type chargers and buy a nice little computer controlled job.  I got one this summer that so many computer controlled options I have to go find a teenager just to work it  :)  Seriously, I only use a transformer charger rarely now, to wake up batteries that have discharged below about 8 volts, since a computer charger sometimes won't start charging them.  On for 20 minutes, off and use the computer controlled and maybe the battery will come back to life.

Brian
Title: Re: Can i use an normal car charger on an 8 D battery?
Post by: buswarrior on February 17, 2011, 07:43:35 PM
yup, automatic chargers are a must.

We may get smarter with experience, but we get dumber over time.

Let the charger be smart, so you don't have to remember to be!!!

happy coaching!
buswarrior