BATTERY CHARGERS

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:29 am

Hi all,

If I have two house batteries hooked in parallel, is it best to use a shore power battery charger with one output or two outputs running the cables to each battery, even thought the are wired together?

Thanks, Larry

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:44 am

You can do it with a single hook-up. If this is an on-board charger, make sure it is for marine use and approved for use in an enclosed area.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:20 am

Agree. You can use a single lead charger, but be sure it's a marine grade charger, not one for car batteries. I've got a dual lead 20 amp charger, but hooked both up to my 2 house bank batteries. I leave the engine battery (single battery for single engine) only hooked to the alternator, as it charges when the engine is running and is not used for any house use. I mentioned the ACR before. With this, and a battery switch you don't have to worry about switching the batteries or mistakenly draining both house and engine batteries. I literally sleep better on the boat when I'm at anchor.