charging start batteries with disconnect switch ON

[natepelton]

Every couple weeks I've been charging the start batteries with a 2 amp 12v charger. It's a 24v system and I've been doing one battery at a time. Is it ok to have the main disconnect switch ON while charging?
Thanks-
-Nate

[TomC]

A 2amp charger isn't much for the big batteries.  Getting a smart charger (at any auto store) is better and should use at least a 10amp charger.  On my big truck, the 4-size 31 batteries will take at least a day to charge on a 10 amp charger.  A 2 amp is usually used just to keep the batteries up.  The charging cycle will be increased with the main switch off.  2 amps can be used up very quickly if something is left on. Good Luck, TomC

[bevans6]

Having the main switch on or off is not much of an issue, but it's good practice to throw the switch to off whenever you are not using the bus.  I might leave it on overnight, but longer than that I try to turn it off.  Charging one battery at a time is just fine.  2 amp charger may or may not be fine - I have one that I keep meaning to throw out that charges at 2 amps but at quite a high voltage and it will boil a battery over time.  If it's a reasonable voltage and you keep an eye on it, a two amp charger will keep them up - it will just take a few weeks to do an actual charge!

Brian

[Oonrahnjay]

Every couple weeks I've been charging the start batteries with a 2 amp 12v charger. It's a 24v system and I've been doing one battery at a time. Is it ok to have the main disconnect switch ON while charging? 

       I bought two 6V 'smart chargers' for less than $30 each; after I'd been away for about 6 weeks, they brought both my Type 31 start batteries up to "float" in about 3 hours.  I put one on each battery and charge them at the same time.  Since they're so cheap, I don't really trust them but according to the battery tester, they seem to work well.  I still keep an eye on them.

       The issue of the main cut-off switch doesn't apply.  My bus was built 35 years ago with lots of Lucas and CAV parts -- any time that I don't need for it to be on to be used, it OFF.

[Jeremy]

My bus was built 35 years ago with lots of Lucas and CAV parts -- any time that I don't need for it to be on to be used, it OFF.

I feel your pain...old Land Rovers have lots of Lucas parts too.



Did you know that back in the 70's, Lucas decided to diversify its product line and began manufacturing vacuum cleaners?. It was the only product they offered which did not suck

Alexander Graham Bell invented the Telephone.Thomas Edison invented the Light Bulb. Joseph Lucas invented the Short Circuit.
Lucas - Inventor of the first intermittent wiper and the self-dimming headlamp
L.U.C.A.S = Loose. Unsoldered. Connections. And. Splices

You get the idea.


Jeremy


(Jokes courtesy of Mr Google, not me)

[Oonrahnjay]

I feel your pain...old Land Rovers have lots of Lucas parts too. 

     Don't forget, I worked for Land Rover for 15 years and Norton motorcycles for over 5 years before that.  I musta parked in God's parking space in a previous life ...

[TomC]

That's why Brit's drink warm beer-because the refrigerators are wired by Lucas.

[uncle ned]

I love british motorcycles,MG cars and GM buses. None have ever left me stranded on the side of the road.

Can't say that about several american cars I have had over a long life time.

uncle ned

[Oonrahnjay]

I love british motorcycles,MG cars and GM buses. None have ever left me stranded on the side of the road.    Can't say that about several american cars I have had over a long life time.     
uncle ned   

         I can't speak for GM buses but I've never been totally stranded ... although I have made it home with exhaust pipes held on with wire, leaning out the window with a flashlight (ooops, sorry, I meant a "hand torch"), etc. with my MG's and British bikes.  I also can't say that about the several American cars I've owned.