RE: RTFM: charging multiple batteries at once [TANKS]

["Kevin" <ka1201-at-houston.rr.com>]

Some chargers will burn up if you do this.  The problem is that each battery
has an internal resistance and is considered a load by the charger (like a
light bulb).  The more you put in parallel, the lower the overall resistance
of the load seen by the charger and therefore more current can flow.  This
extra current flow can't hurt your batteries really because it's being split
up between them but if the charger's output stage can't output that much
current it might release the magic smoke.  If anything it will probably at
least shorten the life of your charger but then again, your charger could be
manly enough and not even care.  It's a gamble to charge in parallel and
sometimes a gamble pays off.  Sometimes it doesn't and burn up expensive
stuff.

See if your charger gives any indication as to the current rating.  If it
does then you can measure the current drawn by your parallel batteries when
charging and see if you are exceeding this.  Or you could measure their
resistance with a meter and calculate their current draw using Ohm's law.

-----Original Message-----
From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com] On
Behalf Of adt22-at-drexel.edu
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 10:23 AM
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: RTFM: charging multiple batteries at once [TANKS]

Are there issues/limits with charging multiple batteries at once (in
parallel, right?).  I have one 2- or 3-stage charger and a bunch of 12v
batteries.  I guess I'll read the manual, but any pointers would be
appreciated.  I couldn't find anything in the archive and I know its been
brought up before.  

Thanks,
Amir