Wiring Batteries for charging

[Chaz]

Hey Folks,
 Since my desulfator thread I have come across a couple 6v. deep batteries. Tom C. inspired me with the idea of getting batteries from a "pile" and desulfating them. But, I actually came across a couple good 6v. batteries (the GOOD price) while purchasing a 12v. for my Bobcat. I thought they may make good spares for my house batteries. They seem to be in good shape. They both show about 6.2v.

I want to charge them up to see how good they actually are but the only setting on my charger (big charger) is 6v. high. I was kinda wanting to NOT put them on high charge (I'm always a little leery of charging on high). So do you think if I put them in series and charged them on low it would be cool? Would they level out the same? Or should I do them separately on high for a shorter time??

When I think I have then fully charged, what should they read? And what is a good rule of thumb to know if they are good or not? I will desulfate them when I finally get one. I will compare then too.

Thanx a bunch!!!
 Chaz

[bevans6]

You could put them in series and charge them on 12v low if you have that setting.  Charge them low and slow if you want to, they will eventually catch up to each other.  It's more charging in parallel where you run a risk of one battery having an issue and over/under charging occurring, as far as I understand it.

Brian

[boogiethecat]

Hey not to hijack the thread, but Chaz, since you mentioned you have a bobcat...

For years on end I used to have to drag out a charger to jump-start my bobcat every time I wanted to use it (once a week or so) and I went through batteries every year or so- just couldn't keep em charged.

Then I got one of these- ebay item 260700290901 - nifty little solar panels made for keeping VW batteries alive in the new car lot- I tie wrapped it to the top of the Bobcat cage, wired it in to the battery, and here we are 5 years later, not having had to drag the jump-charger out even one time since, and still running strong on the same *very happy* battery!!

Just FYI- these are really cool doodahs!!

[thomasinnv]

if both batteries are of the same capacity, and about the same specific gravity then you will be fine to charge them in series.  If they are different capacity or different level of specific gravity (basically charge level) then you run the risk of overcharging one of them and damaging it by charging them in series.