ldemie
Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Joined: 08/13/2003
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I have a couple of sears golf cart batteries in series that are 4-5 yrs old and have been charging them as 12 volts after each trip (10 amp charger), negative post on one of the batteries and positive pole on the other. I asked an old timer rv tech how he thought I should recharge and he told me to charge them seperatly with my 6 volt charger. My question is, will I get longer use out of them ( each trip) if I charge them seperately? It seems that after a complete 12 volt charge I'm only getting maybe 2 days use before I've got to fire up the gen for some added charge .
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sack1
Kent, WA
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Joined: 08/16/2002
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Hey, why not charge them seperately and check on their longevity then? Or better yet, you a battery hydrometer and check for specific gravity? That'll show you when full charge is reached.
At 4-5 years old those batteries may be a bit sulfated and may not take a full charge. Do some testing.
I see no problem in charging them in tandem as long as all the cells are good in both batteries. (the hydrometer will show). If not, charging problems may result.
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Mello Mike
Phoenix, AZ
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You can charge them up either way. It doesn't really matter.
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Well the advise I've been given and read from all the battery manufacturers about 6 volt deep cycle batteries is the same.
Charge them as you use them. If they are used in multiples, charge them the same way.
Seperate charging can lead to differing voltages unless closely checked and then the lower voltage ones will drain the higher ones down to their level.
One sign to watch for is any one battery who's electrolyte level drops faster and more often than the rest. This is caused by it's fully charged voltage potential being less than the rest and is a sign it's going south. While the others are reaching their higher voltage, the weaker one just boils, causing the lowered electrolyte.
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bldrbuck
one or the other
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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This site will give you great advice on batteries.
http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
I charge mine as one big 12 v. I have 4 golf cart batteries. Good luck, considering you have gotten 5 years out of yours I'd say you are doing right
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