charging 2-12v batteries (non parallel/non-series using a 24v charger

[SuperChief]

I have been all over the web to answer this question. It pertains to separate non connected 12v batteries that I can charge with a 24v charger (2-10 amp). These batteries are in separate cases with the series connections somewhere in the internal wiring of a mobility scooter. I know is not the right forum for scooters but in theory seem to be a question for this thread. I want to maintain balance on the batteries. If I make a sort of bus-bar to put these two connectors on the battery cases into series would this work?. I am trying to make this make sense for electrical gurus on this forum.

[67 Burb]

I'll admit, I know nothing about scooters, but if the series connections are somewhere in the internal wiring, I would guess that maybe some circuits use 12 volts and some use 24 volts. I would NOT try to charge the batteries with a 24 volt charger without knowing exactly how things are connected. The whole thing could go up in smoke. I would suggest that if you have to use a 24 V charger, disconnect them from the scooter, jumper them in series and charge them. A big PITA, but safer.

Just my 2 cents worth. (As we no longer have pennies in Canada, make it my nickles worth)

[VetteVet]

I agree Burb, there are not enough details to make a recommendation. There must be a common charging point on the 24 volt series batteries,and if they are separated, the 12 volt single batteries as well. Like you said, pulling the cables of the batteries and charging them individually is the safest bet. He'd have to use a 12 volt charger or wire the two batteries in series to use the 24 volt charger.

He could possibly set up a separate circuit with switching that would connect the batteries in series and then charge them with the 24 volt charger but I couldn't say how to do that without seeing the circuit. It might be more complicated than it's worth.

[SuperChief]

Thanks for putting my thoughts in order. They are removable battery cases with 50A Anderson connectors built in. each is 12v. For balancing purposes ----off board---- I would like to keep them balanced and was wondering could I make a separate buss bar /pos/ neg ///buss bar///pos /neg/ to make a 24V charging station wired to the two Anderson in the in safe order. Thanks for helping me to express how they will be hooked up off-board

[mongocanfly]

if you charge them in parallel you can use a 12v charger...

[mongocanfly]

if you want to charge in series with a 24v charger you need this

[dmjlambert]

I don't believe that charging batteries in series is the best choice. If you're going to charge the batteries off board anyway, charge them individually or charge them in parallel with a 12V charger if they are the same capacity and same age.

There are battery balancers you can buy in order to charge them, but I think it's likely to be pseudo-science, or more expensive than a 12V charger. I'm not convinced there is really such a thing as balancing batteries for household or vehicle applications using plain lead-acid batteries.

Did the original charging system built into the scooter fail, and that is why you're trying to do something different?

[SuperChief]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

I don't believe that charging batteries in series is the best choice. If you're going to charge the batteries off board anyway, charge them individually or charge them in parallel with a 12V charger if they are the same capacity and same age.

There are battery balancers you can buy in order to charge them, but I think it's likely to be pseudo-science, or more expensive than a 12V charger. I'm not convinced there is really such a thing as balancing batteries for household or vehicle applications using plain lead-acid batteries.

Did the original charging system built into the scooter fail, and that is why you're trying to do something different?

The charging port on the scooter is OK. The TZORA manufacture wants $600 for a battery pair consisting of 2-35AH batteries. I want to make my own battery pack 0f 2/50AH that would be half the price. with the 24V charger I have will sense 12V and drop to that. I use the scooter in my yard/field much like it were a go cart/scooter. It drives well on or semi-off road. anyway the company wants to sell me an off board charger connect which hooks up to their wall-wart at a cost of 100. My charger has %/V/A gauge on it to monitor. I think using the Anderson 50amp connectors with heavy cables is more efficient than a factory charger end with a 3 pole mike connector with probably 18 gauge wire. I also think a better balance of 2 (like) would be 24 volts. I thank all of you fpr the diagrams and the more I sudy the series the more two wire connectors made into a two battery 12v charger is cheaper than another 12v charger. I guess the military 24v theory comes to mind.

[SuperChief]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

if you want to charge in series with a 24v charger you need this

Thanks it bolsters my theory of making a bus bar.

[Andy4639]

If the batteries are hooked in series then the only way to charge them is with a 24 volt charger.
If the 2 batteries are 12 volts each and you want to charge them each seperate then you can with 2 -12 volt chargers.

Example:

A golf cart has 6 - 6 volt batteries in it for a 36 volt cart total.

You can charge 2 batteries at a time in the cart with a 12 volt charger without unhooking anything. You can charge 4 of the 6 with a 24 volt charger as well.

[SuperChief]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

if you want to charge in series with a 24v charger you need this

Then making a separate charging bar would be ok because it now puts everything in series. Thanks for the inputs.

[Andy4639]

Not really any problem to just put a cable between the 2 batteries from the - side of one to the + side of the other then hook the charger up to the other two terminals and letter charge. No need for a bus bar.

This is a break down of how many pairs of 12 volts there are in a cart rated @ 36 volts total.

[SuperChief]

Got it....Thanks to all for reading and replying, I mention in my posts that I group all and make my own DIY files and review them often. Thanks again to all...