too many batteries

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Hate to say it but the riding season up here is nearly done. We've got 7 or 8 batteries needing winter maintenance and I'm considering connecting them together in parallel on the bench so one charger can be used to charge all at the same time. See any problem with this set-up?
best,
Peter

[Groover]

Maybe?





And seriously, I've wondered about this myself too.

[Motormike]

Allow me to quote Pete Egan:  "There's no such thing as too many motorcycles, just too many batteries."

It ain't cheap, but Deltran makes a 5 battery charger.   http://products.batterytender.com/Chargers/   

[ejs]

I charge the battery at xmas time, and then just before mc season starts. 

[fotoguzzi]

if you have all winter why do you need to charge them all at once?

depending on the charger it's not always wise to leave them plugged in all winter.

[Kiwi Dave]

One day a week each would easily cover it (the 8th one misses out!).

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have Odysseys. No need to charge as far as I'm concerned.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I have Odysseys. No need to charge as far as I'm concerned.

Never charge any of mine since I switched from flooded-cell batteries. Still don't charge the AC Delco 55-6 that's in the Ambo and it's 12 yrs. old.

[Wayne Orwig]

If they are the SAME chemistry, such as all AGM, then you can parallel charge. All flooded wet cells, parallel. All gel cells, parallel. But if it is a mix of chemistries, they recommend that you not parallel them.

[Tom]

Caution....if you don't do a maintenance charge as part of your weekend schedule.  You'll be on the hook for the "honey do list".    Something to consider.     "Uh....no babe I gotta make sure the batteries are being charged up.  Otherwise come Spring it'll be a lot of money to replace them."   

[Carlo DeSantis]

I bought one of the Deltran 5-bank chargers a long time ago, when I had a bunch of bikes to maintain and before I had gone to all AGM batteries.  It was at their booth at the Daytona Bike Week Auction site (Stetson University).  I think I paid something like $99 and they shipped it free.  An older style that what they have today, but it still works fine.

I have two bikes and one spare AGM battery that I keep charged.  Don't know if I really need to keep them topped up, but I leave them all connected through the winter and once a month I flip the switch and let let the Deltran run for a day.

Now that I think about it, the R12R does need maintenance since it has vampire draws.  The T3 not so much.  So I guess it depends on how old your bike and what the vampire draws might be.

Best,

Carlo

[Peter from Sch'dy]

Thanks all for the great responses!
best,
Peter