Re: Multiple lead-acid charging

Palindrome wrote:
> eromlignod wrote:
>> Hi guys:
>>
>> I'm an ME and have run across an application where I need to charge
>> multiple lead-acid batteries connected in parallel.   The batteries
>> will discharge at near their maximum continuous current rate when in
>> use, but will be used relatively infrequently.  In other words, after
>> a discharge, they may have many hours, or even days, to recharge
>> before they're used again, so I don't need an aggressive charge rate.
>> They will always be charged and discharged together, as if they were
>> one large high-capacity, high-current battery.
>>
>> What is the best way to charge multiple batteries (say 10 or so)?  It
>> would be preferable to me to use off-the-shelf items and I would like
>> to use ordinary 120V power.  Could I use several individual chargers
>> in shunt?  Do they already make chargers for such an application? Can
the 
>> batteries be used while they are charging, if necessary?
>>
>> Thanks for any help you can give me.
>
> The biggest set-up I have been responsible for had arrays of 6 Trojan
> T125s in parallel, series connected to give 24v.
>
> No problem - other than getting scared stiff whenever I went near that
> lot ;)
>

You'd be surprised what you can get used to.

Try climbing on top of 128 cell battery rated for 5250 Ah at the 3-hour 
rate.  Navy submarine batteries are huge.  ;-)

daestrom
(former Chief Electrician's Mate, Submarines)